[Andy007]

Hi History Help!

I have been given an essay title: How important was M.L.K to the cause of African-American civil rights?

I have all the facts at my finger tips and I THINK have a basic idea of how to structure it..

Introduction - set out the argument

First half - how he was crucial to the movement

2nd half - how he was less important (but still the most significant leader!)

Conclusion

But how do I structure each half? In what ways can I group the evidence in which he was significant etc?

Many thanks for your help!!

Andy

[Mr. D. Bryant]

My apologies for the delay in getting back to you, but I am by no means an expert on MLK and my esteemed colleague Mr. Clare is rather better re. structuring essays. However, here goes...

As usual, the answer depends to some extent on the exam board, if it is an examination question. You are right to concentrate on what Edexcel would call 'the given factor' i.e. Dr. King himself. I think a better focus for the second part of your essay might be other factors or personalities that you consider important, rather than continuing to focus on MLK himself, but it may be a case of six of one...

As for significance or importance (I am not sure examiners necessarily see them as the same thing) that depends on what you call significant. It would be worth doing a forum search using Advanced Usage Help to restrict it to 16+ help and guidance on 'significance' or 'structure' as I know that this has been dealt with in the past.

I hope that this is helpful. Remember, writing A-level essays is a skill which you can develop through practice. Very few candidates arrive 'fully formed'.