Essay Writing Tips:

5Ts for Introduction (10 lines)

Thesis stand, answer, anchor idea

Timeframe scope, dates, A-Z organisation
Topic context, background, showing that you understand the question
Themes (x3) topic sentences, points, factors, etc
Terms defining keywords/terms papering over the cracks, totalitarian

Example question:

To what extent was ideology an important factor in the rise to power of

Hitler?

Mr Lee James model answer:

Following WW1 and the Paris Peace settlements in 1919, Germany

was rife socio-economic problems which hindered the fledgling Weimar
government. It recovered somewhat in the 1920s, but was again
devastated by the Depression resulting in the rise of Hitler & the Nazi
party by 1934.

Due to the fact that Hitler rose to power via a legal revolution where
he was voted into power, the ideology of the Nazi party, defined as its
political manifesto & beliefs for ruling Germany, was certainly a significant
factor in causing Hitlers rise. However, it was the weaknesses of the
existing regime, and more importantly, the economic distress caused by
the Great Depression which made Hitlers ideology more appealing to
Germans, hence his rapid rise to power between 1929-1934.

Planning Checklist

1. What is the command word?

To what extent (agree/disagree), evaluate the success(success/failure),
assess the significance(significant/insignificant), etc.

2. What is the overall topic?

Rise of Hitler question/Maintenance of Hitler?

3. What is the focus of the topic?

Hitler economic policy? Foreign policy?

4. Key words/definitions?
 To what extent do you agree that Hitler built a totalitarian state (define
totalitarian)

The role of Nationalism in the origin and expansion of the war in 1914 was
greatly exaggerated. With reference to the First World War, to what extent do
you agree with this statement?

Argument: Nationalism wasnt the biggest cause in the origin and expansion of
the war in 1914.

By what methods, and with what success, did Hitler attempt to establish a
totalitarian state after coming to power?

Command word: (By what method... with what success)

Big topic: Nazi Germany and Hitlers maintenance of power (Hitlers rule in
Germany 1933-1945)

Focus: 3 methods, discuss on success and failure of each (establishing a

totalitarian state)

Definitions: totalitarian , methods (policies that you introduce)

Possible outline (excellent)

TS1: Feature of a totalitarian state (Hitler was trying to achieve this aim)

Successful methods/policies to help him achieve this aim

Methods/policies which failed in helping him achieve this

Mini-conclusion S/F in achieving this feature/aim

TS2: repeat

TS3: repeat