Create Essay Plans

Utilising AI to Enhance Essay Planning

I teach history at NWRC FE College in Derry (Level 3). I used ChatGPT to create essay plans for students, which they found very beneficial. Students found that it gave them a sound structure that reassured them in the reading/writing process, as well as prompting them to read more on specific topics/themes.

Example of an Essay Prompt

I inputted this prompt into ChatGPT: "How can I structure an essay on the Great Irish Famine of 1845-52 and explore the extent to which it was a ‘natural disaster’ by critically evaluating all of the factors that contributed to starvation, disease, death, emigration; and also specific reference to the involvement of the British state?"

Results and Implementation

ChatGPT then returned a ready-to-use essay structure that the students could follow.

ChatGPT
Writing an essay on the Great Irish Famine and evaluating the extent to which it was a ‘natural disaster’ involves understanding the multifaceted causes and consequences of this event, including environmental, social, political, and economic factors, as well as the role of the British state. Here’s a suggested structure and key points to consider:

Title: The Great Irish Famine (1845-1852): Natural Disaster or a Consequence of Political and Social Circumstances?

Introduction:

• Briefly introduce the Great Irish Famine, highlighting the period that it occurred, and its impact in terms of starvation, disease, death, and emigration.
• State the purpose of your essay: to explore the factors contributing to the Famine and to critically evaluate the extent to which it was a natural disaster, with a particular focus on the role of the British state.
• Present your thesis statement: while the immediate cause of the Great Irish Famine was a natural event (potato blight), its devastating impact was significantly exacerbated by a combination of political, social, and economic factors, notably the policies and involvement of the British state.

Part 1: Overview of the Great Irish Famine

• Discuss the dependence on the potato crop in Ireland and the onset of the potato blight.
• Describe the initial impact of the blight on food availability and prices.
• Explain how the famine progressed from initial food shortages to widespread starvation, disease, and death.

Part 2: Natural Factors - The Potato Blight:

• Explore the nature of Phytophthora infestans (the fungus causing potato blight) and how it spread rapidly across Ireland.
• Discuss why Ireland was so severely affected, emphasising the lack of agricultural diversity and over-dependence on the potato as a food source.

Part 3: Political and Economic Factors - The Role of the British State:

• Explain the political relationship between Ireland and Britain at the time, including the aspects of colonialism.
• Analyse the British government’s response to the famine, including relief efforts like soup kitchens, workhouses, and the Public Works Program.
• Discuss controversial policies such as Charles Trevelyan’s rule, Corn Laws, and the policy of “Laissez-Faire” economics that limited direct intervention.
• Evaluate how these policies might have contributed to the severity of the crisis (e.g., delayed aid, inadequate support, infrastructural shortcomings).

Part 4: Social and Structural Factors:

• Discuss pre-existing social conditions such as land tenancy issues, absentee landlords, and the subdivision of holdings, which contributed to the vulnerability of the Irish population.
• Explore the societal impacts of the famine, including how it affected different classes and social groups within Irish society.

Part 5: The Consequences - Emigration, Death, and Long-term Impacts:

• Provide statistics on the death toll and emigration caused by the Famine.
• Discuss the destinations of Irish emigrants and the challenges they faced.
• Reflect on the long-term impacts of the famine on the Irish population, culture, and diaspora.

Conclusion:

• Summarise the main points of your essay, reiterating the multifaceted causes of the Great Irish Famine.
• Reinforce your thesis, emphasising that while the Famine’s impetus was natural, its extent and the tragedy were largely due to human factors, particularly policies and actions of the British state.
• Reflect on the lessons learned from the Famine and its relevance to current global issues such as food security, governance in times of crisis, and the responsibilities of ruling governments to their people.

References/Bibliography:
Ensure you list all the sources you’ve referred to in your essay, formatted according to our institution’s guidelines.

Tips:

• Utilise a wide range of sources, including historical texts, academic papers, and primary sources like letters, reports, or newspaper articles from the period.
• Maintain a critical approach, evaluating sources for bias, especially those discussing the role of the British government.
• Compare the Irish Famine to other historical famines to provide context and further support your argument regarding the role of human versus natural factors.
• Remember, clarity of argument, a balanced discussion of various perspectives, and evidence-based conclusions are key to a strong essay.