How to Write a Chronological Essay

Chronological essays are typically used to write about an event or person from history. Writing in chronological order ensures the reader is introduced to the topic right from the beginning. Writing in chronological order can be difficult, but by arranging your facts and using the essay's question as a guide, you can create flowing, informative essays.

Make a plan. Collect all the facts and information you know about the subject of your essay. Include anything that may be relevant.

Order your ideas. Usually, a chronological essay will start right at the beginning. If you are writing about a person, start at the person's birth. An essay on the Titanic, for example, would begin at the start of its construction on March 31, 1909. Then go through the information, sorting by date, until the end. The end will usually be a death or the end of a project. For the Titanic, it would be when the ship sank on April 14, 1912 at 2:20 a.m.

Separate your ideas into possible paragraphs. For example, dedicate a paragraph to the idea behind the Titanic and who first drew up the plans. What did they aim to create when they built the Titanic? The second paragraph may be about the construction of the Titanic, the third about the planned voyage, etc. The last paragraph(s) should sum up the information you have given. For example, you may write about how the Titanic changed the boat-making industry and how people reacted to the news of the ship's sinking.

Research extra information. Consider anything that could be added to each paragraph to make it more informative. Chronological essays are intended to be factual, so the more relevant facts you can add, the more interesting your essay will be.

Write your essay. Ensure you stick to the plan and proofread the finished copy. Make sure your facts are fully referenced and that the essay flows smoothly.