A 'How To' Outline for Basic History Study and Learning

I once attended a class that gave a great outline for the best ways to study history. (Frankly, this outline is a good way to study almost everything!) I am unable to give credit to the developer of this outline as I have no idea who to give credit to, but I wanted to share it as it has been so useful to me. When I have studied almost any challenging subject, I find myself coming back to this particular way of studying. I find myself using this technique with the scriptures as well and I find that I really feel like I can learn more using it. So I really wanted to share it in the hopes that others will find it useful too!

How to read history assignments
read introduction which will tell you about about author and why they wrote book
read title of contents to examine organization
if you have time pre-read chapter introductions, subheadings and look at all illustrations and graphs before doing a full reading

Then ready to read: You will know
the topic of the book (what aspects of history covered)
background of author (political, history,journalist,etc...)
when book was written (a 100 yo classic, recent on topic, etc...
its thesis and conclusion – the principle point the author is making
hopefully you will learn to recognize and describe a weak thesis or unsupported evidence as time and learning goes on.

Reading a textbook
read text as close to appropriate lectures as possible
re-read if any parts are confusing
look for emphasis sections – notice your reactions or disagreements
take notes

Reading a monograph
a monograph is a specialized history work on a particular subject. Pay special attention to the theme and point of view- try to understand the author's assumptions and values
analyze, criticize and question

Reading an anthology – an anthology is a book of readings, usually short excerpts from large works or primary documents. Usually describe a different aspect or interpretation of subject and can have disagreements. Expect students to be able to assess the arguments of the various authors and take a position to debate. Analyze the arguments different authors and compare different approaches.

Reading a historical novel – work of fiction based on actual occurrences and people. Usually more dramatic and personal than a textbook or monograph. Be cautious to not treat this as historical fact. :)

Reading Assignments

From class lectures – PAY ATTENTION
Read text first to help minimize note taking. It will allow you to concentrate on new or different points
Determine points in lectures which are the most important
Listen to what the instructor stresses and what is different from the text
Be sure notes are coherent
From slides and films
take notes on what slides included note facts – don't relax!!!
examine emotional message and artistic content as well as historical fact

Taking notes in a “wired classroom” - traditional lecturing as well as audio, CD-Roms, internet. The key is to follow carefully the ways in which new media is used to compliment the theme or lecture. How do the pictures compliment the theme or lecture? Take notes on media and on relation to discussed topic

Guidelines for Peer Review
Don't be openly critical – assist classmates in seeing strengths and weaknesses. Ability comes from being on the outside of the research.
Pay attention to thesis – is it clear?
Does body of paper provide important evidence to support theses
are the points made in support of the thesis well organized and clear
are the papers conclusions justified by its arguments and documentation
be supportive!

How to write history assignments
demonstrate that your thinking on the subject is logical
convey to readers clearly what you understand
use clear sentences
do not use unnecessary phrases
link sentences
use past tense
avoid using passive voice
link paragraphs
change subject – change paragraph
have a clear beginning
use an outline
Rough draft

History is a record of human past
study of history important – helps us to understand human nature and behavior
gives us insight and understanding of contemporary affairs
the past shapes the present
societies use history to socialize children and teach them how to behave and think is socially/culturally important
different societies view history differently

Approaches to history – humanities and social sciences
humanities – see history as made up of unique people (actions and events)
social sciences – patterns in human thought and behavior over time

I hope this is helpful to all you students out there. I am headed back to school in a few months and I am getting nervous and excited all at once! A semester full of history just waiting to be explored... here I come! :)

The Temple

I enjoyed so much my most recent visit to the temple. One thing about the temple is that while every visit is the same (especially if you are unendowed), every visit is so different based on your frame of mind. This visit was a little different because I went for a few different reasons and with a few different thoughts in mind. I felt prompted to go and a chance remark from an acquaintance caused my small and weak prompting to become to become a hard and firm resolve. Even when the typical 'chaos' and negative stuff began in the forty eight hours beforehand (as always happens before the travel and attendance of the temple), my resolve only wavered slightly and never in any permanent way. I felt that the path before me was fixed and I remained resolute in my determination and desire to go.

It was an amazing experience. Some would say that it wasn't much in the sense that after I got to the temple, I just mostly walked around the grounds and thought and cried and wondered and hoped. At one point I was given a great yet uncomfortable insight into a person I used to know and I needed to let go of- I really needed to understand many things. I will not pretend that I understand things better, but I feel differently. Over the last few months my anger has abated and I have looked for peace, direction, and understanding in my life. I am finding peace and a direction that I did not expect but I am attempting to follow. I am trying so hard to allow the direction that I feel impressed upon....sometimes I think I am trying too hard and I want- no need- to go slower, to feel less, to be braver, to lose myself in the opportunities that the Father has provided to me at this point in my life.

One thing that added a bit of humor to the day was the misc chatter of people exiting the temple or walking to their cars while I was walking around. In many ways, I became a moving part of the scenery. People would chat and move around me and carry on their average conversations and it felt a little strange that people carried on average discussions right outside the door. Some started talking on the phone as they walked out the doors. It almost felt like being at the temple was so blaise and so benign that being in the temple and its grounds was 'nothing' and didn't mean much. Now, on one hand, we should behave in the world and in our lives the way we do at the temple- everything and anything should be for our spiritual learning and fulfillment. Here are some of the funny things I heard:


'...and so they ended up divorced and so I was so completely happy...'

'I couldn't remember whether you said the loft or the tower...'

'Well, the ice pack has melted we'll be doing good to get to the church...'

'Are you already for me?'

'...I thought it was just medium... ummm tall, not short. There's no medium?'

'Do you need some more of these sugar free mints?'

'I missed your call because I was in the temple. Did you need anything?'

'Where's Carolyn...?'

'I have to tell you that I am well known for my chocolate eclairs....'

'At least they have take out... (the temple)'

'You might have to sit on your butt.'


Sort of silly huh? I left out the guy who paced outside the doors discussing the ups and downs of the stock market. :) I guess the different conversations on the mundane sounded so strange to me on the temple grounds. So in the end I had a great time and it was worth it. Can I challenge you to go to the temple in the next few weeks? Come back and tell me what you did... and what funny stuff you heard.! I'm waiting.... :)