An explanation on how to write Essays for Level 3 History New Zealand Topic.

1. Essay Writing
Level 2 and 3 History

2. A cunning Plan
• You should always start your essay by
following a formula.
• Try using the following:
1. READ the question
2. HIGHLIGHT the important
ideas/dates/names.
3. Construct a PLAN
1. Mind Map
2. Brainstorm
3. Bullet Points
4. NUMBER the points in logical order.
5. WRITE! WRITE! WRITE!

3. Start at the Begininng
1. READ the question.
2. HIGHLIGHT the important ideas/dates/names.
Explain the factors that led to the decision to present Maori with the Treaty of
Waitangi in 1840. Evaluate the consequences of the treaty signing for Maori
during the nineteenth century.

4. Organise your ideas
1. Construct a PLAN
• Mind Map
• Brainstorm
• Bullet Points
2. NUMBER the points in
logical order.
the decision to present Maori with the
Treaty in 1840.
consequences of the treaty for Maori
during the nineteenth century.
Humanitarian
Concerns
Lawlessness in
Kororareka
Illegal
Land deals
Loss of
Land
Foreign
Interest in NZ
Loss of
Rangatiratanga
NZ
Wars
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
Marginalisation
From
Society
8

5. The Basic Essay
• In general, essay writing is a
straightforward exercise.
• It requires the writer to take a
viewpoint or argument and then
write a sustained justification
supporting that idea.
• You will have been taught that
Essays are made up of an
Introduction, a Body and a
Conclusion.

6. Saying it...
• At University I was told that an essay is in three parts....
• Saying what you will say.
• Saying it.
• Saying what you said.
• I got my first ‘A’ when I tried it.

7. Introduction
• The Introduction is where the
writer will outline their
viewpoint/argument and the
main points that will be used to
justify their ideas.
• Be Brief, the main points are
only indicators of what you will
be writing.
• Short sentences always work
best.

8. Explain the factors that led to the decision to present Maori with the Treaty of
Waitangi in 1840. Evaluate the consequences of the treaty signing for Maori during
the nineteenth century. (With annotations in italics)
• “In 1840 Britain made the decision to annex New Zealand to Britain. The decision made by
the British representative Hobson, to do this through a treaty has left many consequences
over land, settlement and the Kingitanga for Maori during the nineteenth century.”
• * In your introduction try to show the factors you will discuss later. This should start by
hinting at the idea of Humanitarianism, Imperialism and Justice…and then the
consequences…. Loss of land & Mana, decline in population economic and political power.
• In 1840 Britain chose to annex New Zealand through a Treaty because of events in the 1830’s
that occurred in here and in Europe. These included recognition of a letter, a declaration and
a flag by British institutions. Humanitarian concerns included the negative effects that
contact was having on Maori. Also the belief that systematic migration that would result in
conflict. Interest being shown by other western nations was also a concern. The consequence
of the signing would see the extension of British authority into most parts of the country , the
arrival of tens of thousands of migrants. Conflict with Maori led to significant declines in
their economic and political power.
A weak Intro. Gives no
reasons for the decision
only names results without
any detail
My Comment to
the student
While not perfect this
introduction covers
most of the bases.

9. The Body
• The Body is where the
justifications are made.
• This is through LINKED
paragraphs.
• In history the paragraphs are
in a logical (usually
chronological) order that helps
to build your argument.
• Each paragraph should be in a
TEX(AS) format whenever
possible.
• AVOID pure narrative.

10. Avoid the Narrative Trap
• In your essay you should
concentrate on explaining
WHY events happened.
• OR
• The CONSEQUENCES of an
event
• NOT JUST A DESCRIPTION of
what actually happened.
• Examiners see excessive
narrative as ‘waffle’ which
the student uses to disguise
their lack of knowledge.

11. Spot the Narrative...
• The primary aim of the humanitarian movement was to abolish slavery in all parts of the
British world and to promote the rights and welfare of non-European peoples. The Church
Missionary Society (the CMS) was a large and influential humanitarian organisation of
Anglican faith, based in London. In 1804, its reach extended to the developing colony of New
South Wales. It was from here that the highly prosperous and evangelical CMS agent,
Samuel Marsden, cultivated an interest in the Maori people of New Zealand. Marsden was a
man of success. In the year after moving to Sydney Cove in 1794, he had established a
thriving 100-acre farm block.
• A year later, he had become a magistrate. Over the next few years, his ascendancy grew to
include a growing estate and a large spiritual and political influence over the South Pacific.
After holding the position of chaplain of New South Wales for over 10 years, Marsden grew
deeply tired of working with convicts. In New Zealand, Marsden saw a cause more worthy of
his energies. This enthusiasm arose from the close relationships he shared with Maori chiefs
who visited Sydney. From Te Pahi in 1805 and subsequent meetings with Maori, he saw a
willingness to embrace the offerings of Europe. Marsden saw great potential in the Maori.
He saw that they shared his entrepreneurial doggedness and would be worthy subjects of
the CMS’ philosophy to “civilize and convert.” However, to Marsden’s distress, Maori were
being exposed to what he would have seen as the evils of European society.

12. Identifying the narrative
• The primary aim of the humanitarian movement was to abolish slavery in all parts of the
British world and to promote the rights and welfare of non-European peoples. The Church
Missionary Society (the CMS) was a large and influential humanitarian organisation of
Anglican faith, based in London. In 1804, its reach extended to the developing colony of New
South Wales. It was from here that the highly prosperous and evangelical CMS agent,
Samuel Marsden, cultivated an interest in the Maori people of New Zealand. Marsden was a
man of success. In the year after moving to Sydney Cove in 1794, he had established a
thriving 100-acre farm block.
• A year later, he had become a magistrate. Over the next few years, his ascendancy grew to
include a growing estate and a large spiritual and political influence over the South Pacific.
After holding the position of chaplain of New South Wales for over 10 years, Marsden grew
deeply tired of working with convicts. In New Zealand, Marsden saw a cause more worthy of
his energies. This enthusiasm arose from the close relationships he shared with Maori chiefs
who visited Sydney. From Te Pahi in 1805 and subsequent meetings with Maori, he saw a
willingness to embrace the offerings of Europe. Marsden saw great potential in the Maori.
He saw that they shared his entrepreneurial doggedness and would be worthy subjects of
the CMS’ philosophy to “civilize and convert.” However, to Marsden’s distress, Maori were
being exposed to what he would have seen as the evils of European society.

13. Narrative-less
• Below is the same text as previous slides without the excess narrative.
• The primary aim of the humanitarian movement was to promote the rights and
welfare of non-European peoples. The Church Missionary Society (the CMS) was a
large and influential humanitarian organisation of Anglican faith, based in London.
In 1804, its reach extended to the developing colony of New South Wales. It was
from here that Samuel Marsden, cultivated an interest in the Maori. Marsden saw
a cause more worthy of his energies. From Te Pahi in 1805 and subsequent
meetings with Maori, he saw a willingness to embrace the offerings of Europe.
Marsden saw great potential in the Maori. He saw that they shared his
entrepreneurial doggedness and would be worthy subjects of the CMS’ philosophy
to “civilize and convert.”

14. T.E.X.A.S.
• Topic - the main point/statement
• Explanation - evidence that
supports the statement.
• eXample - an example that supports
the explanation.
• Analysis - how this idea links to the
main argument.
• Summary – How it links to your next
idea/paragraph.
• Keep your sentence short.

15. T. E. X. A. S.
• Below is the previous text broken into its TEXAS components.
• The primary aim of the humanitarian movement was promote the rights and welfare of non-
European peoples.
• The Church Missionary Society (the CMS) was a large and influential humanitarian
organisation of Anglican faith, based in London. In 1804, its reach extended to the
developing colony of New South Wales.
• It was from here that Samuel Marsden, cultivated an interest in the Maori. Marsden saw a
cause more worthy of his energies. From Te Pahi in 1805 and subsequent meetings with
Maori, he saw a willingness to embrace the offerings of Europe.
• Marsden saw great potential in the Maori.
• He saw that they shared his entrepreneurial doggedness and would be worthy subjects of
the CMS’ philosophy to “civilize and convert.”
• The NEXT paragraph is on “Civilise and Convert”...

16. To Conclude...
• The conclusion ties up all of your
ideas and should prove that your
main argument is true.
• Repeat your main idea/argument.
• Briefly reiterate your main points
without repeating too much
information.
• If running short of time (<10 min)
finish the paragraph you are on and
move to the conclusion.
• Keep sentences short.