History education and the profession of history: Use and development of writing skills in high school history courses

The purpose of the present study is to determine the historical essay writing knowledge and skill levels of the students in history courses, assess the students? writings in terms of principles to be heeded while writing a historical essay, and investigate the types and features of students? historical rhetoric. Quantitative research method was used in the study. Quantitative data were obtained from the students? historical essays written during pre-test and post-test applications within the context of the question directed to the students.The application stage of the present study was carried out among 10th graders from the Turkish-Mathematics departments of three high schools in Ankara (Ankara Atatürk Anadolu Lisesi, Ömer Seyfettin Lisesi and Hurin Yavuzalp Lisesi).The qualitative findings of the study revealed that the students can improve their skill of writing like a historian in history courses and they were successful in writing historical essays complying with Historical Essay Evaluation Scale. Moreover, it was found that the experimental group students were aware of the concept of historical time and casual relations while they were writing their essays. The study also revealed that the students used narrative and explanatory writing styles, they did not develop a historical argument in their essays and they had difficulties in developing a thesis from their own viewpoint and providing evidence to support their thesis.