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ahr-argument-development

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Use when turning archival findings into a sustained historical argument for The American Historical Review (AHR). The AHR rewards a clear thesis that earns its claims from evidence while remaining alert to contingency and complexity. Builds the argument and its stakes; it does not gather new sources or fabricate evidence.

When to use

• turning archival findings into a sustained historical argument
• stating a contestable thesis
• making stakes explicit
• building a chain of evidence
• arguing against the strongest alternative
• calibrating claims to avoid over- or under-claiming
• addressing referee pushback regarding argument failures

When not to use

• gathering new sources
• fabricating evidence

Skill page

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