Personal Narrative:

How Writing Is Important To Your Content Area

From a history perspective, writing is paramount. Without writing, we wouldn’t have history, as history is only considered the recorded history of mankind through forms of writing. Therefore, in a history curriculum, I believe that it is essential that all students not only understand the fundamental principles of writing, both as a reflective and developmental process of ideas and concepts, but also use writing as a tool to apply historical inquiry and expand their content knowledge. History as a subject in schools has morphed into various forms throughout education; it is no longer the teaching and memorization of dates, names and facts. Today’s history curriculum works to aide students in their ability to observe historical trends in relation to social, economic and political factors, and develop their own ideas and conclusions. Writing therefore becomes the outlet for students to explore their knowledge and understanding, to develop and showcase their critical thinking and inquiry and to allow for their own voices and interpretations to be recorded. History teachers often profess that students need to make their own history through the study of history. Writing allows students to record their voice, to present their ideas and contribute to the content area.