Teaching Historical Analysis through Creative Writing Assignments

Abstract

Incorporating creative writing exercises in history courses can heighten students' critical reading and analytical skills in an active learning model. We identify and define two types of possible assignments that use model texts as their locus: centripetal, which focuses on specific context and disciplinary terms, and centrifugal, which address paradigms in human experience. Imitative assignments that include emphasis on form or structure provide a clear framework for assessment. We provide models for both types of assignments in history survey courses, including our reflections on final analysis of the projects, means of assessing them, and qualitative evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

Keywords:

• creative writing
• historical analysis
• imitation exercises
• pedagogy