grade 12 history essay writing

History Grade 12 Revision Notes booklet and Essay Topics Guide for 2021-2023

On this page, you will find History Grade 12 Revision Notes booklet and Guide for 2021-2023, Paper 1 and paper 2.

Table of Contents

Paper 1 History Grade 12 Essay Topics for Exams

Topic 1: The Cold War

• Origins of the Cold War (Source-Based)
• Extension of the Cold War : Case Study: Vietnam (Essay)

Topic 2: Civil Society Protests from the 1950s to the 1970s

• The US Civil Rights Movement (Source-Based) o The Black Power Movement (Essay)

Topic 2: Independent Africa

• Case study: The Congo

What is included in the guide:

• Cognitive Levels of questions
• How to prepare for source-based questions
• Skills in answering source-based questions
• Essay writing skills
• Examination Guidelines (2021 – 2023)
• A mind map to give you the summary of the topic
• A timeline and a list of concepts you must know
• Sources with different levels of questions and answers
• Essays questions and how you should approach it

Paper 2 History Grade 12 Essay Topics for Exams

Topic 1: Civil Resistance in South Africa 1970s to 1980s:

• Internal Resistance (Source-Based Question)
• Challenges to apartheid – BCM (Essay) Topic 2: The end of the Cold War and a new world order
• Globalisation (Source-Based Question)
• the impact of Gorbachev’s reforms on the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the impact on South Africa (Essay) Topic 3: Broad overview of the Coming of Democracy in South Africa and Coming to terms with the past

View all # History-Grade 12 Study Resources

We have compiled great resources for History Grade 12 students in one place. Find all Question Papers, Notes, Previous Tests, Annual Teaching Plans, and CAPS Documents.

More Questions and Answers from Previous Question Papers

What is more useful for a grade 12 learner than actual exam questions and answers from previous question papers? We have collected 100s of grade 12 questions and answers for Grade 12 subjects from all South African Provinces: Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State, North West, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KZN, Western Cape, and Mpumalanga. The questions and answers are for Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, and Term 4, for the following years: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Take a look at the links below , or search for more.

• Written Essays

How to write source-based history essays

The biggest assessment task you will be required to complete is a written research essay which develops an argument and uses a range of sources.

All types of assessment tasks will need you to use essay-writing skills in some form, but their fundamental structure and purpose remains the same.

Therefore, learning how to write essays well is central to achieving high marks in History.

What is an 'essay'?

A History essay is a structured argument that provides historical evidence to substantiate its points. 

To achieve the correct structure for your argument, it is crucial to understand the separate parts that make up a written essay. 

If you understand how each part works and fits into the overall essay, you are well on the way to creating a great assessment piece.

Most essays will require you to write:

• 1 Introduction Paragraph
• 3 Body Paragraphs
• 1 Concluding Paragraph

Explanations for how to structure and write each of these paragraphs can be found below, along with examples of each: 

Essay paragraph writing advice

How to write an Introductory Paragraph

This page explains the purpose of an introduction, how to structure one and provides examples for you to read.

How to write Body Paragraphs

This page explains the purpose of body paragraphs, how to structure them and provides examples for you to read.

How to write a Conclusion

This page explains the purpose of conclusions, how to structure them and provides examples for you to read.

More essay resources

What do you need help with, download ready-to-use digital learning resources.

Copyright © History Skills 2014-2024.

Contact  via email

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Write a History Essay

Last Updated: December 27, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a private tutor in San Carlos, California. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 243,490 times.

Writing a history essay requires you to include a lot of details and historical information within a given number of words or required pages. It's important to provide all the needed information, but also to present it in a cohesive, intelligent way. Know how to write a history essay that demonstrates your writing skills and your understanding of the material.

Preparing to Write Your Essay

• The key words will often need to be defined at the start of your essay, and will serve as its boundaries. [2] X Research source
• For example, if the question was "To what extent was the First World War a Total War?", the key terms are "First World War", and "Total War".
• Do this before you begin conducting your research to ensure that your reading is closely focussed to the question and you don't waste time.

• Explain: provide an explanation of why something happened or didn't happen.
• Interpret: analyse information within a larger framework to contextualise it.
• Evaluate: present and support a value-judgement.
• Argue: take a clear position on a debate and justify it. [3] X Research source

• Your thesis statement should clearly address the essay prompt and provide supporting arguments. These supporting arguments will become body paragraphs in your essay, where you’ll elaborate and provide concrete evidence. [4] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
• Your argument may change or become more nuanced as your write your essay, but having a clear thesis statement which you can refer back to is very helpful.
• For example, your summary could be something like "The First World War was a 'total war' because civilian populations were mobilized both in the battlefield and on the home front".

• Pick out some key quotes that make your argument precisely and persuasively. [5] X Research source
• When writing your plan, you should already be thinking about how your essay will flow, and how each point will connect together.

Doing Your Research

• Primary source material refers to any texts, films, pictures, or any other kind of evidence that was produced in the historical period, or by someone who participated in the events of the period, that you are writing about.
• Secondary material is the work by historians or other writers analysing events in the past. The body of historical work on a period or event is known as the historiography.
• It is not unusual to write a literature review or historiographical essay which does not directly draw on primary material.
• Typically a research essay would need significant primary material.

• Start with the core texts in your reading list or course bibliography. Your teacher will have carefully selected these so you should start there.
• Look in footnotes and bibliographies. When you are reading be sure to pay attention to the footnotes and bibliographies which can guide you to further sources a give you a clear picture of the important texts.
• Use the library. If you have access to a library at your school or college, be sure to make the most of it. Search online catalogues and speak to librarians.
• Access online journal databases. If you are in college it is likely that you will have access to academic journals online. These are an excellent and easy to navigate resources.
• Use online sources with discretion. Try using free scholarly databases, like Google Scholar, which offer quality academic sources, but avoid using the non-trustworthy websites that come up when you simply search your topic online.
• Avoid using crowd-sourced sites like Wikipedia as sources. However, you can look at the sources cited on a Wikipedia page and use them instead, if they seem credible.

• Who is the author? Is it written by an academic with a position at a University? Search for the author online.
• Who is the publisher? Is the book published by an established academic press? Look in the cover to check the publisher, if it is published by a University Press that is a good sign.
• If it's an article, where is published? If you are using an article check that it has been published in an academic journal. [8] X Research source
• If the article is online, what is the URL? Government sources with .gov addresses are good sources, as are .edu sites.

• Ask yourself why the author is making this argument. Evaluate the text by placing it into a broader intellectual context. Is it part of a certain tradition in historiography? Is it a response to a particular idea?
• Consider where there are weaknesses and limitations to the argument. Always keep a critical mindset and try to identify areas where you think the argument is overly stretched or the evidence doesn't match the author's claims. [9] X Research source

• Label all your notes with the page numbers and precise bibliographic information on the source.
• If you have a quote but can't remember where you found it, imagine trying to skip back through everything you have read to find that one line.
• If you use something and don't reference it fully you risk plagiarism. [10] X Research source

Writing the Introduction

• For example you could start by saying "In the First World War new technologies and the mass mobilization of populations meant that the war was not fought solely by standing armies".
• This first sentences introduces the topic of your essay in a broad way which you can start focus to in on more.

• This will lead to an outline of the structure of your essay and your argument.
• Here you will explain the particular approach you have taken to the essay.
• For example, if you are using case studies you should explain this and give a brief overview of which case studies you will be using and why.

Writing the Essay

• Try to include a sentence that concludes each paragraph and links it to the next paragraph.
• When you are organising your essay think of each paragraph as addressing one element of the essay question.
• Keeping a close focus like this will also help you avoid drifting away from the topic of the essay and will encourage you to write in precise and concise prose.
• Don't forget to write in the past tense when referring to something that has already happened.

• Don't drop a quote from a primary source into your prose without introducing it and discussing it, and try to avoid long quotations. Use only the quotes that best illustrate your point.
• If you are referring to a secondary source, you can usually summarise in your own words rather than quoting directly.
• Be sure to fully cite anything you refer to, including if you do not quote it directly.

• Think about the first and last sentence in every paragraph and how they connect to the previous and next paragraph.
• Try to avoid beginning paragraphs with simple phrases that make your essay appear more like a list. For example, limit your use of words like: "Additionally", "Moreover", "Furthermore".
• Give an indication of where your essay is going and how you are building on what you have already said. [15] X Research source

• Briefly outline the implications of your argument and it's significance in relation to the historiography, but avoid grand sweeping statements. [16] X Research source
• A conclusion also provides the opportunity to point to areas beyond the scope of your essay where the research could be developed in the future.

Proofreading and Evaluating Your Essay

• Try to cut down any overly long sentences or run-on sentences. Instead, try to write clear and accurate prose and avoid unnecessary words.
• Concentrate on developing a clear, simple and highly readable prose style first before you think about developing your writing further. [17] X Research source
• Reading your essay out load can help you get a clearer picture of awkward phrasing and overly long sentences. [18] X Research source

• When you read through your essay look at each paragraph and ask yourself, "what point this paragraph is making".
• You might have produced a nice piece of narrative writing, but if you are not directly answering the question it is not going to help your grade.

• A bibliography will typically have primary sources first, followed by secondary sources. [19] X Research source
• Double and triple check that you have included all the necessary references in the text. If you forgot to include a reference you risk being reported for plagiarism.

Sample Essay

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.historytoday.com/robert-pearce/how-write-good-history-essay
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/writing/writing-resources/writing-a-good-history-paper
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html
• ↑ http://history.rutgers.edu/component/content/article?id=106:writing-historical-essays-a-guide-for-undergraduates
• ↑ https://guides.lib.uw.edu/c.php?g=344285&p=2580599
• ↑ http://www.hamilton.edu/documents/writing-center/WritingGoodHistoryPaper.pdf
• ↑ http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing-guides/
• ↑ https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/hppi/publications/Writing-History-Essays.pdf

About This Article

To write a history essay, read the essay question carefully and use source materials to research the topic, taking thorough notes as you go. Next, formulate a thesis statement that summarizes your key argument in 1-2 concise sentences and create a structured outline to help you stay on topic. Open with a strong introduction that introduces your thesis, present your argument, and back it up with sourced material. Then, end with a succinct conclusion that restates and summarizes your position! For more tips on creating a thesis statement, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Lea Fernandez

Nov 23, 2017

Did this article help you?

Matthew Sayers

Mar 31, 2019

Millie Jenkerinx

Nov 11, 2017

Oct 18, 2019

Shannon Harper

Mar 9, 2018

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

How to Write a Good History Essay. A Sequence of Actions and Useful Tips

Before you start writing your history essay, there is quite a lot of work that has to be done in order to gain success.

You may ask: what is history essay? What is the difference between it and other kinds of essays? Well, the main goal of a history essay is to measure your progress in learning history and test your range of skills (such as analysis, logic, planning, research, and writing), it is necessary to prepare yourself very well.

Your plan of action may look like this. First of all, you will have to explore the topic. If you are going to write about a certain historical event, think of its causes and premises, and analyze what its impact on history was. In case you are writing about a person, find out why and how he or she came to power and how they influenced society and historical situations.

The next step is to make research and collect all the available information about the person or event, and also find evidence.

Finally, you will have to compose a well-organized response.

During the research, make notes and excerpts of the most notable data, write out the important dates and personalities. And of course, write down all your thoughts and findings.

It all may seem complicated at first sight, but in fact, it is not so scary! To complete this task successfully and compose a good history essay, simply follow several easy steps provided below.

Detailed Writing Instruction for Students to Follow

If you want to successfully complete your essay, it would be better to organize the writing process. You will complete the assignment faster and more efficient if you divide the whole work into several sections or steps.

• Introduction

Writing a good and strong introduction part is important because this is the first thing your reader will see. It gives the first impression of your essay and induces people to reading (or not reading) it.

To make the introduction catchy and interesting, express the contention and address the main question of the essay. Be confident and clear as this is the moment when you define the direction your whole essay will take. And remember that introduction is not the right place for rambling! The best of all is, to begin with, a brief context summary, then go to addressing the question and express the content. Finally, mark the direction your essay about history will take.

Its quality depends on how clear you divided the whole essay into sections in the previous part. As long as you have provided a readable and understandable scheme, your readers will know exactly what to expect.

The body of your essay must give a clear vision of what question you are considering. In this section, you can develop your idea and support it with the evidence you have found. Use certain facts and quotations for that. When being judicial and analytical, they will help you to easily support your point of view and argument.

As long as your essay has a limited size, don’t be too precise. It is allowed to summarize the most essential background information, for example, instead of giving a precise list of all the issues that matter.

It is also good to keep in mind that each paragraph of your essay’s body must tell about only one issue. Don’t make a mess out of your paper!

It is not only essential to start your essay well. How you will end it also matters. A properly-written conclusion is the one that restates the whole paper’s content and gives a logical completion of the issue or question discussed above. Your conclusion must leave to chance for further discussion or arguments on the case. It’s time, to sum up, give a verdict.

That is why it is strongly forbidden to provide any new evidence or information here, as well as start a new discussion, etc.

After you finish writing, give yourself some time and put the paper away for a while. When you turn back to it will be easier to take a fresh look at it and find any mistakes or things to improve. Of course, remember to proofread your writing and check it for any grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. All these tips will help you to learn how to write a history essay.

History Essay Examples

Top History Essay Examples To Get Inspired By

Published on: May 4, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

Share this article

History essays are a crucial component of many academic programs, helping students to develop their critical thinking, research, and writing skills. 

However, writing a great history essay is not always easy, especially when you are struggling to find the right approach. This is where history essay examples come in handy. 

By reading and examining samples of successful history essays, you can gain inspiration, learn new ways to approach your topic. Moreover, you can develop a better understanding of what makes a great history essay.

In this blog, you will find a range of history essay examples that showcase the best practices in history essay writing. 

Read on to find useful examples.

On This Page On This Page -->

Sample History Essays

Explore our collection of excellent history paper examples about various topics. Download the pdf examples for free and read to get inspiration for your own essay.

History Essay Samples for Middle School

The Impact of Ancient Civilizations on Modern Society

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

The Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution

History Writing Samples for High School Students

The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Society

Grade 10 History Essay Example: World War 1 Causes and Effects

Grade 12 History Essay Example: The Impact of Technology on World War II

Ancient History Essay Examples

The Societal and Political Structures of the Maya Civilization

The Role of Phoenicians in the Development of Ancient Mediterranean World

The Contributions of the Indus Civilization

Medieval History Essay Examples

The Crusades Motivations and Consequences

The Beginning of Islamic Golden Age

The Black Death

Modern History Essay Examples

The Suez Crisis and the End of British Dominance

The Rise of China as an Economic Powerhouse

World History Essay Examples

The Role of the Silk Road in Shaping Global Trade and Culture

The Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Empire

The Legacy of Ancient Greek Philosophy and Thought

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

American History Essay Examples

The Civil Rights Movement and its Impact on American Society

The American Civil War and its Aftermath

The Role of Women in American Society Throughout History

African History Essay Examples

The Impact of Colonialism on African Societies

The Rise and Fall of the Mali Empire

European History Essay Examples

The Protestant Reformation and the Rise of Protestantism in Europe

The French Revolution and its Impact on European Politics and Society

The Cold War and the Division of Europe

Argumentative History Essay Examples

Was the US Civil War Primarily About Slavery or States

The Effects of British Colonization on Colonies

Art History Essay Examples 

The Influence of Greek and Roman Art on Neoclassicism

The Depiction of Women in Art Throughout History

The Role of Art in the Propaganda of Fascist Regimes

How to Use History Essay Examples

History essay examples are a valuable tool for students looking for inspiration and guidance on how to approach their own essays. 

By analyzing successful essays, you can learn effective writing techniques that can be expected in a high-quality history essay. 

Here are some tips that will help you take full advantage of the samples above.

Tips for Effectively Using History Essay Examples

• Analyze the Structure:

Pay close attention to how the essay is organized, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Look for how the author transitions between paragraphs and the use of evidence to support their argument.

• Study the Thesis Statement:

The thesis statement is the backbone of any successful history essay. Analyze how the author crafted their thesis statement, and consider how you can apply this to your own writing.

• Take Note of the Evidence: 

Effective history essays rely on using strong evidence to support their arguments. Take note of the sources and types of evidence used in the essay. Consider how you can apply similar evidence to support your own arguments.

• Pay Attention to the Formatting and Other Academic Formalities:

The sample essays also demonstrate how you can incorporate academic formalities and standards while keeping the essay engaging. See how these essays fulfill academic standards and try to follow them in your own writing.

• Practice Writing:

While analyzing history essay examples can be helpful, it is important to also practice writing your own essays. Use the examples as inspiration, but try to craft your own unique approach to your topic. 

History essays are an essential aspect of learning and understanding the past. By using history essay examples, students can gain inspiration on how to develop their history essays effectively. 

Furthermore, following the tips outlined in this blog, students can effectively analyze these essay samples and learn from them. 

However, writing a history essay can still be challenging. 

Looking for an online essay writing service that specializes in history essays? Look no further!

Our history essay writing service is your go-to source for well-researched and expertly crafted papers.

And for an extra edge in your academic journey, explore our AI essay writing tool . Make history with your grades by choosing our online essay writing service and harnessing the potential of our AI essay writing tool.

Get started today!

Cathy A. (Law, Marketing)

For more than five years now, Cathy has been one of our most hardworking authors on the platform. With a Masters degree in mass communication, she knows the ins and outs of professional writing. Clients often leave her glowing reviews for being an amazing writer who takes her work very seriously.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Legal & Policies

• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Terms of Use
• Refunds & Cancellations
• Our Writers
• Success Stories
• Our Guarantees
• Affiliate Program
• Referral Program
• AI Essay Writer

Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.

How To Write A History Essay Grade 12

• The Dizaldo Blog!

Writing a history essay can seem like a daunting task, especially when it is for a grade 12 assignment. However, with the right preparation and approach, it can become a manageable and even enjoyable task.

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

Primary sources vs. secondary sources, note-taking, introduction, body paragraphs, step 5: edit and revise.

Before starting any essay, it is crucial to understand the assignment. Make sure you know what the essay topic is and what is expected of you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask your teacher for clarification.

Step 2: Research

Research is perhaps the most critical step in writing a history essay. Make sure to gather relevant and reliable sources, including books, articles, and primary sources. Use keywords that are specific to your topic when conducting your research to ensure that you find relevant information easily.

It is important to note the difference between primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are the original sources of information and include artifacts, letters, diaries, and photographs. Secondary sources are works that analyze and interpret primary sources, such as textbooks and journal articles.

As you research, make sure to take detailed notes that include your sources' bibliographic information. Use abbreviations and symbols to jot down information quickly.

Step 3: Plan Your Essay

Before starting to write your essay, create an outline of your argument. This will help you stay on track and present a clear and concise paper.

Your introduction should include an attention-grabbing statement that introduces your topic and a thesis statement that presents your argument. Make sure to keep your introduction brief but engaging.

The body of your essay should present your argument in a clear and organized manner. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that introduces the main idea and supports your thesis statement. Make sure to back up your argument with evidence from your research.

Your conclusion should sum up your argument and restate your thesis statement. Avoid introducing new ideas in your conclusion.

Step 4: Write Your Essay

Now that you have completed your research, created an outline, and planned your essay, it is time to write. Make sure to use proper grammar and punctuation and check for spelling errors.

Make sure to follow the formatting guidelines provided by your teacher. This may include margin sizes, font types, and citation styles.

It is important to edit and revise your essay before submitting it for grading. Check for any grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or unclear sentences, and revise your essay accordingly. Make sure to also double-check your citations to ensure that they are formatted correctly.

Writing a history essay may seem like a daunting task, but by following these steps, you can create a compelling and well-organized paper. Remember to understand the assignment, conduct thorough research, plan your essay, write it with care, and revise it before submitting it.

• How To Write An Affidavit For Nsfas
• How To Wire A Double Plug Socket South Africa

How To Pass Matric With Flying Colours

How To Pass Attorneys Board Exams

How To Pass A Psychometric Test Saps

How To Make A Frog Skeleton For School Project

How To Maintain Discipline In Classroom

How To Join Sef

How To Join Kaizer Chiefs Academy

How To Help Struggling Students In The Classroom

How To Get Unisa Memorandums

This website uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, if you continue browsing we consider that you accept their use. Read more

To continue you must:

• South Africa
• Grade 12 Free Learning Resources
• History Grade 12 Notes and Past Exam Papers for Revision

History Grade 12 Essays Guide pdf download

History Grade 12 Essays Guide pdf download:

History Grade 12 Essay Topics and Guide

History grade 12 tasks and essays for all terms.

Term 1: 3 tasks

• Source-based task (or essay; learners must do one of each).
• Research assignment (can also be done in the second term).
• Standardised test which includes a sourcebased section and an essay (ideally both sections will be tested at the same time).
• Essay task (or source-based task; learners must do one of each).
• Mid-year examination (2 papers of 2½ hours each) (2 topics from each paper to be covered by June; four questions set in each paper: 2 essays and 2 source-based questions; learners to answer 2 questions, 1 essay and 1 source-based question on each paper.
• Standardised test, which includes a source-based section and an essay (ideally, both sections will be tested at the same time).
• September/ Preparatory examination (2 papers)

Final external examination

Hello Grade 12 Learners. How and When has everything for you needed to pass your Grade 12 exams, tests, assessments, research tasks and assignments under the South African CAPS Curriculum . Feel free to download all useful study material for grade 12, such as Study Guides, and Previous Exam Papers with Answer Momos .

Why passing Grade 12 is a must for your Career?

Why passing Grade 12 is a must for your Career? Grade 12 ultimately makes you ready for the real world of work out there, and most importantly matric is your bridge to varsity. You really need good marks in Grade 12 in order to pass well and study what you like . Good Grade 12 marks will enable you to get a APS Score.

The calculation of an Admission Point Score (APS) is based on a candidate’s achievement in any SIX recognised National Senior Certificate 20-credit subjects (including subjects from the non-designated subject list, e.g. Computer Applications Technology , Tourism , Hospitality Studies and Civil , Electrical & Mechanical Technology , etc.), by using the NSC seven-point rating scale. Life Orientation is a 10-credit subject and may not be used for calculating the APS. Life Orientation is also not a faculty-specific subject requirement.

Other Subjects for Grade 12

Have a look at other free resources for Grade 12 Subjects

• Accounting Grade 12
• Economics Grade 12
• Mathematics Grade 12
• Geography Grade 12
• Technical Mathematics Grade 12
• Physical Science Grade 12
• Life Sciences Grade 12
• Technical Sciences Grade 12
• Mathematics Literacy Grade 12
• Biology Grade 12
• Life Orientation Grade 12
• Religion Studies Grade 12
• Business Studies Grade 12
• Consumer Studies Grade 12
• Tshivenda Home Language Grade 12
• IsiXhosa Home Language Grade 12
• IsiZulu Home Language Grade 12
• Sepedi Home Language Grade 12
• Sesotho Home Language Grade 12
• Setswana Home Language Grade 12
• Seswati Home Language Grade 12
• Afrikaans Home Language Grade 12
• English Home Language Grade 12
• Xitsonga Home Language Grade 12
• Tourism and Hospitality Studies Grade 12
• Computer Applications Technology Grade 12
• Civil Technology Grade 12
• Electrical Technology Grade 12
• Engineering Graphics and Designs Grade 12
• Information Technology Grade 12
• Mechanical Technology Grade 12
• Agricultural Sciences Grade 12
• Agricultural Technology Grade 12
• Agricultural Management Practices Grade 12
• Dance Studies Grade 12
• Design Grade 12
• Dramatic Arts Grade 12
• Music Grade 12
• Visual Arts Grade 12

Robotics Courses from School and Universities in South Africa

Afrikaans huistaal grade 12 past papers and memos for 2020 pdf, related posts, find history grade 12 september 2023 trial exam question papers and memos: pdf download.

History Grade 12 November 2021 Final NSC Exams question papers and memorandums

History Grade 12 May – June Mid Year Exams 2021 previous Papers for downloads

List of History Grade 12 September 2020 Past Papers and Memos

Questions and answers based on bantu education act for revision, leave your thought here cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Latest Posts

Hospitality Studies Grade 12 June Question Papers and Memos pdf Download

Visual arts grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download, dramatic arts grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download, setswana home language grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download, tourism studies grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download, electrical technology grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download, engineering graphics and designs grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download, english home language grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download, civil technology grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download, siswati home language grade 12 june 2023 question papers and memos pdf download.

More Learning Resources @ My Courses

• Availability
• Add to cart
• Description
• Additional information
• Custom attributes
• Custom fields

• Grade 12 Learning Resources Study Notes and Previous Papers
• Grade 11 Learning Resources
• Grade 10 Learning Resources
• IGCSE Syllabus
• Latest Updates

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

History Essay: how to write an A-grade essay

• Dr Janet Rose
• November 9, 2018

One key thing you must do to get a good mark in history

To get a good mark in a history essay, you must answer the question.  Sounds easy, doesn’t it?  Yet any history examiner will tell you that every year they give low marks to students who do not answer the question. It is clear that the student has worked hard on the essay and it may be well written and structured, but it is impossible to give it a good grade because it simply doesn’t answer the question.

Why does it happen?

• The student hasn’t read the question carefully and has missed some important information
• The student has misunderstood what they are being asked to do
• The wording of the question is unusual or not as expected

A student sitting an exam is often feeling stressed and good exam technique goes out of the window under pressure. The worst-case scenario is when the student doesn’t know how to get to the answer, so simply writes everything they can remember about the topic.  They hope the examiner will be so impressed with the narrative they won’t notice the lack of analysis.  They will notice and they will mark accordingly!

How to write a good history essay

The good news is that there are tried and tested techniques to help students avoid these pitfalls.  Every good history tutor will be able to offer strategies for tackling every type of essay you might encounter. There are too many techniques to list here, but the following will give you a good start:

• Ask  exactly what  the question wants you to do?  Do you have to explain, assess, make a judgement, or something else? For example, if the question asks ‘how far’ or ‘to what extent’ it is asking you to assess the evidence and make a judgement based on your knowledge of the topic.
• Once you have decided what you need to do, think about what material you should include in your answer. Be selective and choose what is relevant to your assessment or judgement. Only include evidence that backs up your ideas, gives a clear example or adds to your argument.  Don’t just include content for the sake of it – it absolutely must be relevant to the question.
• Plan your answer before you start to write and check that you have answered the question.  Ask yourself ‘have I answered the question?’  If the answer is ‘no’, you need to re-draft your plan at that point. Don’t wait until you are halfway through writing your essay before you realise you have drifted off the topic. A marker or examiner will simply stop adding marks when you go off topic and will start awarding more marks when you get back on track – anything irrelevant to the question won’t get you marks.

Writing good history essays is a skill that comes with practice and constructive feedback from your teacher or tutor. The points above will get you started and remember, whatever else you do, answer the question!

Related: How to structure AQA A-level History essays &  HISTORY GCSE OR A-LEVEL: 3 PROVEN WAYS TO RAISE GRADES

About Dr Rose

Dr Janet Rose is an international tutor who teaches English and History for The Tutor Team.  See her profile here

Janet also manages  The Tutor Team Facebook page , where you can get study tips, educational videos and posts every week.

The Tutor Team Guarantee

How can we help you, share this post.

0333 987 4603

• Privacy Policy
• Handbook & Policies

Privacy Overview

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Gr. 10 HISTORY Essay writing Skills

Essay writing Skills

Do you have an educational app, video, ebook, course or eResource?

Contribute to the Western Cape Education Department's ePortal to make a difference.

Home Contact us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Western Cape Government © 2024. All rights reserved.