
Contributors should refer to the checklist below when preparing essays for Smarthistory.
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❒ Essay length: 800-1200 words (this can be modified in some cases)
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❒ Writing is engaging, conversational, and at times even experiential
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❒ Starts with a “hook” to draw the learner in and make them want to continue reading
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❒ Makes the case for why the reader should care about this topic
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❒ Content is object-based. Biography, historical context, and other information flows from the discussion of the object or monument
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❒ Time is spent on formal analysis that invites the reader to carefully examine the work of art by making reference to details that we can illustrate
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❒ Short engaging subheadings (1-5 words) are included that organize the content into easy-to-read sections and to invite the reader to explore further (this is essential for web-based text)
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❒ Specialized terms (geographic, religious, political, and methodological) are defined in parentheses (we will often turn these into pop-up definitions)
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❒ Only essential dates are included in the text (we generally do not include birth and death dates or the dates of the reign of a ruler unless it is absolutely necessary)
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❒ Footnotes are included for direct quotes and for some other circumstances, but are kept to a minimum
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❒ A succinct but compelling conclusion is included (just a few sentences)
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❒ A list of additional resources (both online and print) is included below the essay (the first link should be to the institution, or site where the object can be found). A short bibliography can offer direction for further study, but need not be exhaustive. You can find information about citation style on our “contribute an essay” page.
Cite this page as: Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Naraelle Hohensee, "Smarthistory essay style checklist," in
Smarthistory, July 21, 2017, accessed January 28, 2021,
https://smarthistory.org/essay-checklist/.