A Guide for Analytical, Persuasive, and Evaluative History Writing
Strong historical writing depends on precise language, clear structure, and vocabulary that reflects higher-order thinking. Students often ask:
“How do I start a paragraph in a History essay?”,
“What are good sentence starters for analysis?”, and
“What words help me write like a senior History student?”
This page provides a comprehensive list of sentence starters, linking vocabulary, and evaluative terms that help students:
• Write analytically instead of descriptively
• Link ideas and evidence logically
• Present arguments with clarity and academic tone
• Compare, contrast, analyse, and evaluate effectively
• Meet the expectations of senior History marking guides
Teachers can use these lists to scaffold writing, model essay structure, or create classroom posters and revision sheets. Students can use them to make their writing more precise, coherent, and academically sophisticated.
1. Essential Sentence Starters for History Essays
These starters help students move beyond simple narrative recount and into analytical writing.
Topic Sentence Starters (Introducing an Idea or Argument)
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A significant factor influencing this development was …
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One of the most important causes of … was …
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A key consequence of this event was …
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The central argument supporting this interpretation is …
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A major turning point occurred when …
Sentence Starters for Elaboration (Clarifying Your Idea)
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This can be understood in light of …
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This was shaped by broader changes in …
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This development reflects deeper tensions within …
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This was partly the result of …
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This situation emerged because …
2. Sentence Starters for Evidence and Historical Examples
Students often forget to integrate evidence smoothly. These starters help introduce specific facts.
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For example, …
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This is demonstrated by …
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Evidence of this can be seen in …
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A clear example occurred when …
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According to [historian/source], …
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As shown in Source [X], …
3. Sentence Starters for Analysis and Linking Evidence to Argument
This is where many students struggle. The following starters push them into analytical territory.
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This reveals that …
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This suggests that …
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This demonstrates the extent to which …
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This had significant implications for …
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This resulted in …
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This contributed to …
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This strengthened/weakened …
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This highlights the importance of …
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This indicates a clear relationship between … and …
4. Sentence Starters for Evaluation and Judgement (“To What Extent” Questions)
Higher-level responses require measured, well-justified judgements. These starters help frame evaluative thinking.
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To a great extent, …
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To a limited extent, …
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While …. played a role, it was not as significant as …
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Despite its influence, … was ultimately less important than …
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Overall, the most significant factor was … because …
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Although some evidence suggests ..., a more convincing interpretation is …
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The reliability of this interpretation depends on …
5. Sentence Starters for Comparing and Contrasting
Useful for essays about ideologies, leaders, revolutions, or competing historical interpretations.
Comparing
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Similarly, …
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In the same way, …
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Both sources suggest that …
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Likewise, historians have noted that …
Contrasting
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However, …
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In contrast, …
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On the other hand, …
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Unlike …, …
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Whereas … emphasises …, … focuses on …
6. High-Level Linking Vocabulary for History Writing
Clear links between ideas are essential for cohesive writing. These terms help students structure arguments logically.
To Add or Build On an Idea
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additionally
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moreover
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furthermore
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equally important
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in addition
To Show Cause and Effect
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consequently
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therefore
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as a result
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thus
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hence
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this led to
To Show Change Over Time
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gradually
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progressively
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eventually
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over time
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ultimately
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subsequently
To Show Contrast
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however
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alternatively
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nevertheless
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despite this
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in contrast
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whereas
To Show Significance or Emphasis
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notably
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significantly
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crucially
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particularly
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especially
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most importantly
7. Vocabulary for Making Judgements (High-Level Evaluative Terms)
Students often use vague words like “big”, “important”, or “had a big impact”. These sophisticated alternatives help them articulate historical significance precisely.
Low Significance
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minimal
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negligible
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limited
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marginal
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superficial
Moderate Significance
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moderate
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noticeable
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considerable
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partial
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mixed
High Significance
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substantial
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profound
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decisive
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pivotal
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critical
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far-reaching
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transformative
Impact Vocabulary
Negative impact:
damaging, detrimental, catastrophic, destabilising
Positive impact:
beneficial, constructive, advantageous, progressive
8. Vocabulary for Describing Historical Processes and Concepts
These words help students describe causation, change, continuity, and historical movements with precision.
Causation
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triggered
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generated
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prompted
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fuelled
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intensified
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precipitated
Change and Continuity
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modernised
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declined
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evolved
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persisted
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remained
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accelerated
Historical Interpretation
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revisionist historians argue …
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orthodox interpretations suggest …
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contemporary sources indicate …
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historians continue to debate …
9. Sentence Starters for Source Analysis
These can be used with IOP CAM or similar frameworks.
Origin / Purpose / Perspective
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The source was created by … which suggests …
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As a political leader/soldier/civilian, the creator brings a perspective that …
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The purpose of the source was to … which likely influenced …
Usefulness and Reliability
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This source is highly useful because …
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The reliability of this source is limited due to …
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Although biased, the source provides valuable insight into …
10. Turning These Tools Into Better Writing
To use sentence starters effectively, encourage students to:
• Vary their starters rather than relying on only one
• Use starters as training wheels—not a script
• Combine them with precise historical vocabulary
• Continuously ask:
“Does this sentence help answer the question?”
If not, remove it to avoid unnecessary background and maintain focus.
Strong writing emerges from consistent practice, explicit modelling, and feedback aligned with marking criteria.
Need a Printable Poster or Student Handout?
Variety of resources available in the shop to support your students.
✔ classroom wall posters
✔ student revision booklets
✔ digital writing scaffolds
✔ essay-planning sheets