Practice essay activity: examine a significant historical situation in the context of change, in an essay
Using the features available in NZHistory.net.nz, material provided by your teacher or anything that you have been able to find for yourself, write the following practice essay for achievement standard 3.5: examine a significant historical situation in the context of change.
Essay question
The Musket Wars represent a significant situation for New Zealanders in the 19th century. Describe the changes or developments that occurred during the period of the Musket Wars 1818–1830s. Evaluate the influence of these wars on Maori during this period.
Remember structure is important:
- A good essay must have good paragraphs.
- Each key or new idea in your essay must be a new paragraph.
- Think of a paragraph as having a set layout:
- a sentence that outlines what the paragraph is about
- sentences to support the topic of the paragraph
- a sentence to conclude the paragraph.
- Use the structure outlined below to help you write your answer.
Introduction – write an opening paragraph that:
- identifies the Musket Wars as a significant situation for New Zealand in the 19th century
- introduces your argument about the significance of this issue.
Body – write structured and sequenced paragraphs that:
- describe the historical context of the Musket Wars and apply terms, concepts and/or ideas related to this issue
- examine changes, trends and patterns over time related to the Musket Wars
- evaluate ways in which the Musket Wars influenced people in the historical context.
Conclusion – write a concluding paragraph that sums up your main ideas and argument and links them to the focus of the essay.
You should aim to write about 600–800 words.
For more detail on this achievement standard and criteria open this Word document from the NZQA website
Another activity idea
Related features on NZHistory.net.nz
- Musket Wars
- New Zealand's 19th-century wars An overview from the end of the Musket Wars through to the end of the New Zealand Wars