writing in the disciplines

why write in history?

Historical analysis and writing seeks to better understand the past. To do this, historians compile primary and secondary sources to analyze the features, characteristics, viewpoints, and significance of historical time periods, events, and actors. Historical writing involves not only constructing a narrative timeline, but also creating a convincing interpretation of the past. In general, historians are focused on explaining change over time.

In history, as in many other disciplines, the writing skills you learn can be used outside the classroom, and beyond college. Through writing in history you can learn to argue a position, pose critical questions, uncover information that can answer these questions, and present your findings to the appropriate audience such as teachers or employers.