how would i write, as a historian?

Question

i received a very brief and and vague assignment to read a short passage in our western civ. book and to write about 200 words based on it, as a historian. basically, we're supposed to pretend like we're a historian and write as if we only know about the passage we're reading. any thoughts before i just wing it? thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Sure Pina. Historians like to evaluate primary sources. That means things that were written at the same time or soon after an event in history. I hope your reading has a primary source in it. Then you evaluate the information in the primary source reading and try to make educated assessments/conclusions.
200 words is less than one page double spaced, so you don't have to make many conclusions. Don't just summarize the reading. Historians try to assess the material - make inferences. What does the reading tell you about the time and place and the people?
Good luck?

Answer 2

Well, think of yourself as a kind of 'Reporter'. You're reporting the information factually, but with some annotation or commentary about the passage. The passage you're 'reporting' on is intended for future generations - and that is essentially the goal of any historian - to describe in great detail the events, and to give his/her own commentary. History is often embellished to make people and events seem more dramatic / glorious, and sometimes can be completely re-arranged. Sometimes it's like reading a tabloid! If you go to Amazon.com and look up historical non-fiction, biographies, etc., it may help you get a sense on how to go about writing your piece. One very famous and Ancient historian is 'Suetonius' who wrote, "The Lives of the 12 Caesars". And he wrote everything - including the gossip confirmed by eye-witness accounts. Anyway - good luck to you honey - I hope you get an 'A+'.

Answer 3

Keep it third person. No I or we. Tell the event and then interpret the text. 200 words is not going to give you much leeway unless writing is not your strong suit. So your probably not going to like what ever it is you end up with. So

1. 3rd person
2. Stick to the facts as they are presented.
3. Interpret the text.

Answer 4

well write an overview of the said book, that's what most historians do.