Essay writing techniques

1. Essay writing techniques Question: Explain fully why peoples’ lives got better between 1830 and1930 as a result of railways?

2. How do I do it? • Start of with a clear introduction which includes the question. • Have a good meaty middle dealing with each of the benefits of the railways separately. (in separate paragraphs) • A clear conclusion that makes a judgment. Also recap on your main points.

3. Hints and tips!! • Don’t just list points!! Develop them!!! • Also remember it is only worth 8 marks! All the exam board is looking for is about 6 points or so. • You get 2 marks for a good introduction and conclusion. They like a good clear structure!!!

4. Conclusion • Make a judgment. For example. It is clear that the railways did improve peoples’ lives in Britain . . . . .

5. Structure Three 1. Make the question a things statement 2. What you will argue 3. The order you will argue 1. Introduction 2. Main Body Three 1. Statement things 2. Evidence or explanation. 3. Link sentence For each paragraph 3. Conclusion Two things 1. Sum up the argument 2. Answer the question

6. Introduction • Make the question a statement Peoples’ lives improved between 1830 and 1930 as a result of railways because travel was cheaper, quicker and more comfortable, • What you are going to argue and the order fresh food could be taken anywhere in Britain, working class could take holidays by the sea, middle class could live in suburbs and travel to work by train and. Railways provided mass employment.

7. Main Body A. Travel was cheaper, quicker and more comfortable. Statement As the century progressed travel became cheaper, quicker and more comfortable. This can be shown by the 1846 Railway Act which stated that rail companies had to provide a train a day at 1penny per mile. Train speeds increased on average to over 60MPH and heating was gradually introduced into passenger trains. Evidence or explanation Link The movement of food was also an improvement to peoples’ life style as a result of the railways..

8. Main Body B. Fresh food could be taken anywhere. As the century progressed the railways could move milk, garden produce and meat quickly so that it stayed fresh. Statement This ability to move fresh food quickly improved peoples’ diet in the cities and helped to improve health and life expectancy. Evidence or explanation Link It was not only in health and diet that railways helped but in working class people being able to take holidays by the sea.

9. Main Body B. Working class could take holidays by the sea. Statement Holiday resorts sprung up at the end of railway lines. Evidence or explanation This can be shown by the rise of Blackpool in England and North Berwick in Scotland as major holiday resorts. Link It was not only the working class who benefited from the railways but the middle class as well who could now live in suburbs and commute to work.

10. Conclusion Sum up the argument This essay has argued that railways were important because people could travel cheaper, quicker and more comfortably than before, they could get fresh food in the cities, the working class could have holidays at the seaside and the middle class could live in the suburbs and commute to the city centre.. Answer the question As a result of the above arguments, the lives of most people were improved by the railways.