History report game prompts for Frankenstories

Historical report writing prompts include prompts for general description, compositional description, historical recount, history, historical explanation, and historical exploration for a variety of historic subjects from Moai to the Magna Carta

A few weeks ago, we published a collection of preset prompts for scientific report writing.

This week we're publishing a similar set for historical report writing.

These prompts represent text-type variations common to history writing:

  • General description (e.g. of a historical object)
  • Compositional description (of an object or cultural practice)
  • Historical recount (of a single event)
  • Historical account (over a series of phases)
  • Explanation (causal vs consequential & linear vs factorial)
  • Exploration (providing alternative explanations)

What can you do with these prompts?

The release notes for this collection are almost identical to the notes for scientific reports, so I'll keep it brief:

  • These prompts give students a framework within which to practice writing different types of history text.
  • This breakdown of text types is based on Martin & Rose's genre analysis (summarised by PETAA in the Chronicling, Reporting, and Explaining sections of this table).
  • The text types increase in complexity as they take more context into account (and become more abstract).
  • Whether or not you find the labelling familiar, these are all authentic text types that appear "in the wild" in historical writing.

We don't yet have teacher notes for these prompts. However, each prompt has at least one demo game that should give you a sense of that particular text type.

Example 1: Historical recount

Historical recounts are similar to narrative writing in that they focus on individuals acting in specific circumstances. However, unlike fictional narratives, they place more emphasis on objective facts (dates, times, and data) and less emphasis on creating an emotional impact on the audience.

For example, this demo game recounts the first flight of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk:

Text prompt: Recount this historical event. Image: A photo of the Wright brothers launching their flying machine.

3 Frankenstory rounds. R1: On the morning of December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers prepared for a groundbreaking attempt in aviation history. R2: Their flying machine, the Wright Flyer, was positioned on a specially designed track. The brothers had spent years developing and testing gliders, leading up to this moment. R3: Orville Wright took his place as the pilot, lying prone on the lower wing. The engine roared to life, and with Wilbur running alongside to balance the craft, the Flyer began its historic journey.

Example 2: Historical account

Historical accounts are also similar to narrative writing in the way they relate a series of events in chronological order. However, compared to historical recounts, histories are more "zoomed out", covering a greater sweep of time and focusing more on populations, trends, forces, or processes than individuals.

For example, this demo game provides a brief history of The Great Zimbabwe:

Text prompt: Write a history of this event or process. Image: An illustration of the Great Zimbabwe, full of people going about their lives.

R1: The Great Zimbabwe, a monumental stone city in modern-day Zimbabwe, began its construction in the 11th century and continued until the 15th century. This era marked a significant development in the region, as it was a centre of trade, culture, and political power for the Shona-speaking people. R2: During the first phase in the 11th century, the focus was on establishing the Hill Complex, and had great social and political implications. This complex likely served as a religious and administrative centre, symbolising the authority and spiritual beliefs of the ruling elite.

Example 3: Historical explanation (consequential & factorial)

Where a simple history relates events or processes in chronological order, a historical explanation is more analytical and tries to explain the causes and consequences of events.

For example, this demo game explains various consequences of women's suffrage in South Australia: 

Text prompt: Explain the varied consequences resulting from this historical event or process. Image: A photo of South Australian women holding 'votes for women' placards.

R1: In 1894, South Australia became the first Australian colony, and one of the first places in the world, to grant voting rights to women. This historic legislation also allowed women to stand for parliament, marking a significant step in the global women's suffrage movement. R2: The granting of women's suffrage in SA led to increased political participation and representation of women, social and cultural shifts regarding gender roles, and influence on women's suffrage movements in other regions.

Customise the images (and prompts) to suit whatever you're teaching

A screenshot of the game creation wizard with a history prompt preset loaded with a custom image.

We made variations of each text type to give you a sense of possibility, but as with all preset prompts, you can change them however you like, including uploading your own images or browsing our image library.

The Ancient Times and Historical categories have images from and of a variety of different time periods, such as the Trojan War

Content Frankenstories

Posted 28th November 2023

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