Historical Empathetic Writing

Writing a Historical Empathetic Text

When we are asked to write an historical empathetic text, you are being asked to put yourself in the position of someone from history and write a text imagining you are that person. The type of text you produce (your teacher may or may not given you some options) usually include:

a Letter
Journal or Diary Entry
Newspaper Article
a Narrative

Type of Language Used

The main feature of historical empathetic texts is that you write using the language of the time. Vocabulary will depend on what it is you are studying.
Your writing will be in paragraph form
Your writing could be formal or informal depending if it is a letter, journal entry or newspaper article

Structure of an Empathetic Text

The structure of empathetic writing will vary depending on what type of text you select. What is most important for all types is the inclusion of facts, opinions and language that matches the historical period you are studying. Here we will consider the three most common types, a letter, a journal or diary entry and a newspaper article.

Letter

Date, Greeting and Introduction - including where the letter is being written from.
Main Body - Here the main events or issues that you want to include are discussed. Again remember to include accurate dates, events, ideas and language from the time.
Conclusion and Sign off - letters are often finished with questions or thoughts for the recipient. It is also necessary to sign the letter with the name of the writer and their title (Dr, Mrs, Professor Etc).

Newspaper Article

Headline - Newspaper (and even online) articles all tend to begin with a Headline. This short - sometimes one word - title is there to grab attention and also summarise what the article is about.
Article Text - in paragraph form, will often be a report on an event or series of events that will be important news for the readers of the time.

Journal or Diary Entry

Title and Date - Here it is important to indicate the date when the entry is being made and who is making the entry.
Entry Main Text - will be in paragraph form. It will be a recount or reflection on past activities or events. It is important to ensure that language and ideas expressed match the time and place of the period being studied.

In the example below, the student has been asked to write a letter from an Australian soldier who is in France fighting in the trenches of World War One. The demonstrations of historical knowledge have been underlined.

Historical Empathetic Writing - Example: Letter from the Trenches World War One

4 June 1917

Dear Dad,

I am writing to you from the frontlines of France. It has been over two years since I have seen the sunny beaches of South Australia. How are you? I hope you are well. Being in France is certainly better than Gallipoli, we have shops we can go to and the French people are very nice. However, in winter it is cold. Cold and wet. Sleeping is hard, the trenches are very cold and often full of water, meaning we are often standing in mud all day. The food the army gives us is not getting any better, the bully beef and hard tack - had enough to last me a life time. The CO in charge tells me we are winning, but I am not sure. All the boys are very tired and it does not seem we have made much ground. There are only a handful left from those who signed up in 1914.

We have all been much happier since April 6 when we heard that the United States of America declared war on Germany. It was certainly a welcome development. Looks like the Russians might have a hard time holding the line, I heard the Tsar has gone and been replaced by a new government. They say they will stay in the war but you can't be sure. Both of these events might turn the tide of the war. Just don't know which way. I still can't get over the tragedy that was the Battle of Fromelles in July last year, so many boys gone. We had a better showing at Bullecourt, took weeks but eventually the Germans withdrew.

How are things on the farm? You would have just had harvest I guess. That new tractor still playing up? Always thought using a horse was best. Hope to be home for Christmas.

Hope you and Mum are well.

Your Son,

Corporal Bradley Jones

CHECKLIST for Success

Have I:

Used correct dates for the time period?
Used the correct format of either a letter, newspaper article or diary entry?
Included accurate descriptions of what life was like?
Included real events and discussed them to demonstrate my historical knowledge?

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