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Heritage Day Essay Guide for Grade 10 Learners

This page contains an essay guide for Grade 10 History learners on how to write a Heritage Day essay (introduction, body, and conclusion). On the 24th of September every year in South Africa, there is a great celebration of all cultures and heritages of all South Africans. This was after the Inkatha Freedom Party proposal in 1996.

Background on South African Heritage Day

Before you write your essay, you should first know what heritage day is and what it means.

The word ‘heritage’ can be used in different ways. One use of the word emphasises our heritage as human beings. Another use of the word relates to the ways in which people remember the past, through heritage sites, museums, through the construction of monuments and memorials and in families and communities (oral history). Some suggest that heritage is everything that is handed down to us from the past.

One branch of Heritage Studies engages critically (debates) with issues of heritage and public representations of the past, and conservation.

It asks us to think about how the past is remembered and what a person or community or country chooses to remember about the past. It is also concerned with the way the events from the past are portrayed in museums and monuments, and in traditions. It includes the issue of whose past is remembered and whose past has been left unrecognised or, for example, how a monument or museum could be made more inclusive.

Important: you should include relevant images to go with your key points. You can find plenty of images on the internet, as long as you provide the credits/sources.

When you write your Heritage Day essay as a grade 10 student, you will get great marks if you include the following structure:

• Provide a brief history linked to heritage day
• The main key issues you will be discussing throughout your essay
• Explain the changes that were made to this public holiday.
• Explain how the day is celebrated in schools, families, workplaces and other institutions like churches etc.
• How does the celebration of the holiday bring unity and close the gaps of the past?
• Explain how the celebration of the day enforces the application of the constitution of South Africa.
• What key points did your essay cover?
• What new knowledge did you learn or discover?
• What are your views on “Heritage Day”?

Example of “Heritage Day” Essay for Grade 10 Students

Below is an example of how to write an essay about Heritage Day for grade 10 learners, using the structure discussed above:

Introduction:

Heritage Day, celebrated on the 24th of September, is a South African public holiday that serves as a reminder of the nation’s rich cultural heritage and diverse history. The day was established to honor the various cultures, traditions, and beliefs that make South Africa a truly unique and diverse country. This essay will discuss the history of Heritage Day, the changes made to this public holiday, and how its celebration promotes unity and reinforces the South African Constitution .

Changes to Heritage Day:

Initially known as Shaka Day, Heritage Day was introduced to commemorate the legendary Zulu King Shaka who played a significant role in unifying various Zulu clans into one cohesive nation. However, with the advent of a democratic South Africa in 1994, the day was renamed Heritage Day to promote a broader and more inclusive celebration of the nation’s diverse cultural heritage.

Celebrations in Various Institutions:

Heritage Day is celebrated in numerous ways throughout South Africa, with schools, families, workplaces, and religious institutions all participating. In schools, students and teachers dress in traditional attire, and activities such as cultural performances, food fairs, and storytelling sessions are organized to educate learners about different cultural backgrounds. Families gather to share traditional meals, pass down stories, and engage in cultural activities. Workplaces often host events that encourage employees to showcase their diverse backgrounds, while churches and other religious institutions use the day as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of tolerance and acceptance.

Promoting Unity and Closing Gaps:

The celebration of Heritage Day has played a vital role in fostering unity and bridging the divides of the past. By appreciating and acknowledging the various cultures and traditions, South Africans learn to respect and accept one another, ultimately creating a more harmonious society. The public holiday serves as a platform to engage in conversations about the nation’s history, allowing for a better understanding of the diverse experiences that have shaped South Africa.

Enforcing the South African Constitution:

Heritage Day also reinforces the principles enshrined in the South African Constitution, which guarantees cultural and linguistic rights to all citizens. By celebrating and embracing the diverse cultures, South Africans put into practice the values of equality, dignity, and freedom as envisioned by the Constitution.

Conclusion:

In this essay, we have explored the history and significance of Heritage Day, its transformation from Shaka Day, and how it is celebrated across various institutions in South Africa. We have also discussed how the celebration of this day fosters unity and enforces the principles of the South African Constitution. Heritage Day serves as a reminder that our differences make us stronger, and that through understanding and embracing our diverse backgrounds, we can build a more inclusive and united South Africa.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Everyday Use — Heritage and Identity in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”

Heritage and Identity in Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"

• Categories: Alice Walker Everyday Use Heritage

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Published: Jun 13, 2024

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Introduction, body paragraph.

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Wonder of the Day #2806

What Is Heritage and Why Is It Important?

SOCIAL STUDIES — Cultures of the World

Have You Ever Wondered...

• What is heritage?
• Why is heritage important?
• How can you celebrate your heritage?
• Social Studies ,
• Cultures Of The World ,
• Hispanic Heritage Month ,

Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Stephanie. Stephanie Wonders , “ What is heritage and why is it important? ” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Stephanie!

Who are you? You might start to answer that question with your name. But, of course, you’re much more than a name. What are your talents? How about your dreams or your values ? All of these things (and many others) come together to make up your identity . 

Today’s Wonder of the Day is about something else that shapes your identity —your heritage. What is heritage? The word can be difficult to define! Heritage is always something that’s or passed down by families or other groups for many years.

However, heritage isn’t limited to concrete objects. It’s also the customs, traditions, and values shared by groups of people. One way to think about heritage is to break it down into three groups. These are the tangible , the natural, and the intangible . 

What tangible items can be part of a person or group’s heritage? It can include many human-made objects that hold cultural value. Some examples are national monuments and works of art. Many ancient sites are also part of this group. On a smaller scale, a family home can be part of an individual’s heritage.

Many parts of the natural world are also important to cultural heritage. This can include bodies of water, plant life, landforms , and more. One example is the Nile River . It has been part of cultural heritage in many African nations for centuries. Efforts to protect natural heritage are key in many cultures.

The intangible group includes any part of cultural heritage that you can’t feel through touch. Maybe you’ve read about forms of dance, like flamenco dancing . You might know about the music of mariachi bands or holidays like Eid . These are all examples of intangible heritage. Languages, holidays, and customs also make the list.

Exploring your own heritage can be fun. It can help you learn about yourself, your family, and your ancestors . But it’s also important to learn about the heritage of others. Doing so can help you build a stronger understanding of other cultures. It can also lead you to find things you may have in common with others!

You may already know that certain months of the year honor specific cultures. For example, September is Hispanic Heritage Month. Are you of Hispanic heritage? If so, it’s a great time to be with family and celebrate your culture. 

If you’re not part of a Hispanic culture, then September is a time to learn. Try reading about the Grito de Dolores or the tradition of the quinceañera . Learn about famous people of Hispanic heritage, like Frida Kahlo . You could also attend public Hispanic heritage celebrations as a learner. Always remember to show respect for the cultural heritage of others. After all, you’d want the same from them.

Of course, there are several other heritage months. American Indian Heritage Month is in November, and Black History Month is in February. May is both Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. Of course, you don’t have to wait for these times of year. It’s always a great time to celebrate your heritage and learn about those of others. 

How would you describe your heritage? If you’re interested in digging deeper, invite a family member to join you. It can be a great learning and bonding experience.

Common Core , Next Generation Science Standards , and National Council for the Social Studies ."> Standards : CCRA.R.4, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.SL.2, CCRA.W.2, CCRA.W.4, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.L.1 , NCAS.A.1, NCAS.A.2, NCAS.A.3, CCRA.SL.4

Wonder What's Next?

Feel FRIDA share tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day with a friend!

Now that you’ve learned about different types of heritage and ways that it’s celebrated, try out the following activities with a friend or family member.

• Do you know much about your own heritage? What are some important parts of your culture? What foods are traditionally prepared? Are there dances or art that are significant? What about a mountain, lake, or river that has special meaning? Talk to a family member about your heritage and ask them some of these questions. Write an essay about what you learn and discuss it with a friend.
• This Wonder mentions that certain months are dedicated to honoring certain cultures and gives some examples, do you have a specific month that celebrates your heritage or just one that you identify with? Get a friend or family member to help you create a poster with colorful drawings and interesting facts about that month.
• You may not know much about your own heritage or have just started thinking about it. How do you get started learning about your own heritage? Check out this article about ways to get started exploring your own heritage and share what you learned with a friend or family member.

Wonder Sources

• https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/special-topics-art-history/arches-at-risk-cultural-heritage-education-series/arches-beginners-guide/a/what-is-cultural-heritage (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/what-heritage (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/what-is-heritage/ (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://college.lclark.edu/student_life/multicultural_affairs/programs/heritage_months.php (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/ (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/what-is-heritage (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)

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Wonder contributors.

We’d like to thank:

LaKeitha , Ethan and Meredith from TX for contributing questions about today’s Wonder topic!

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Question 1 of 3

Which of the following is NOT a form of intangible heritage, according to this Wonder?

• a a river Correct!
• b a dance Not Quite!
• c customs Not Quite!
• d a language Not Quite!

Question 2 of 3

This Wonder is mainly about. . .

• a which months of the year honor certain groups or cultures Not Quite!
• b the variety of dances important to Hispanic tradition Not Quite!
• c the different types heritage and the importance of learning about your own and others’ heritage Correct!
• d specific human-made objects that are recognized as culturally valuable to African American culture Not Quite!

Question 3 of 3

Hispanic American Heritage month, which is a celebration of culture and origin of Latinx and Hispanic Americans in the United States, occurs during which month?

• a February Not Quite!
• b September Correct!
• c November Not Quite!
• d May Not Quite!

Quiz Results

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Introductions

What this handout is about.

This handout will explain the functions of introductions, offer strategies for creating effective introductions, and provide some examples of less effective introductions to avoid.

The role of introductions

Introductions and conclusions can be the most difficult parts of papers to write. Usually when you sit down to respond to an assignment, you have at least some sense of what you want to say in the body of your paper. You might have chosen a few examples you want to use or have an idea that will help you answer the main question of your assignment; these sections, therefore, may not be as hard to write. And it’s fine to write them first! But in your final draft, these middle parts of the paper can’t just come out of thin air; they need to be introduced and concluded in a way that makes sense to your reader.

Your introduction and conclusion act as bridges that transport your readers from their own lives into the “place” of your analysis. If your readers pick up your paper about education in the autobiography of Frederick Douglass, for example, they need a transition to help them leave behind the world of Chapel Hill, television, e-mail, and The Daily Tar Heel and to help them temporarily enter the world of nineteenth-century American slavery. By providing an introduction that helps your readers make a transition between their own world and the issues you will be writing about, you give your readers the tools they need to get into your topic and care about what you are saying. Similarly, once you’ve hooked your readers with the introduction and offered evidence to prove your thesis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives. (See our handout on conclusions .)

Note that what constitutes a good introduction may vary widely based on the kind of paper you are writing and the academic discipline in which you are writing it. If you are uncertain what kind of introduction is expected, ask your instructor.

Why bother writing a good introduction?

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The opening paragraph of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work. A vague, disorganized, error-filled, off-the-wall, or boring introduction will probably create a negative impression. On the other hand, a concise, engaging, and well-written introduction will start your readers off thinking highly of you, your analytical skills, your writing, and your paper.

Your introduction is an important road map for the rest of your paper. Your introduction conveys a lot of information to your readers. You can let them know what your topic is, why it is important, and how you plan to proceed with your discussion. In many academic disciplines, your introduction should contain a thesis that will assert your main argument. Your introduction should also give the reader a sense of the kinds of information you will use to make that argument and the general organization of the paragraphs and pages that will follow. After reading your introduction, your readers should not have any major surprises in store when they read the main body of your paper.

Ideally, your introduction will make your readers want to read your paper. The introduction should capture your readers’ interest, making them want to read the rest of your paper. Opening with a compelling story, an interesting question, or a vivid example can get your readers to see why your topic matters and serve as an invitation for them to join you for an engaging intellectual conversation (remember, though, that these strategies may not be suitable for all papers and disciplines).

Strategies for writing an effective introduction

Start by thinking about the question (or questions) you are trying to answer. Your entire essay will be a response to this question, and your introduction is the first step toward that end. Your direct answer to the assigned question will be your thesis, and your thesis will likely be included in your introduction, so it is a good idea to use the question as a jumping off point. Imagine that you are assigned the following question:

Drawing on the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , discuss the relationship between education and slavery in 19th-century America. Consider the following: How did white control of education reinforce slavery? How did Douglass and other enslaved African Americans view education while they endured slavery? And what role did education play in the acquisition of freedom? Most importantly, consider the degree to which education was or was not a major force for social change with regard to slavery.

You will probably refer back to your assignment extensively as you prepare your complete essay, and the prompt itself can also give you some clues about how to approach the introduction. Notice that it starts with a broad statement and then narrows to focus on specific questions from the book. One strategy might be to use a similar model in your own introduction—start off with a big picture sentence or two and then focus in on the details of your argument about Douglass. Of course, a different approach could also be very successful, but looking at the way the professor set up the question can sometimes give you some ideas for how you might answer it. (See our handout on understanding assignments for additional information on the hidden clues in assignments.)

Decide how general or broad your opening should be. Keep in mind that even a “big picture” opening needs to be clearly related to your topic; an opening sentence that said “Human beings, more than any other creatures on earth, are capable of learning” would be too broad for our sample assignment about slavery and education. If you have ever used Google Maps or similar programs, that experience can provide a helpful way of thinking about how broad your opening should be. Imagine that you’re researching Chapel Hill. If what you want to find out is whether Chapel Hill is at roughly the same latitude as Rome, it might make sense to hit that little “minus” sign on the online map until it has zoomed all the way out and you can see the whole globe. If you’re trying to figure out how to get from Chapel Hill to Wrightsville Beach, it might make more sense to zoom in to the level where you can see most of North Carolina (but not the rest of the world, or even the rest of the United States). And if you are looking for the intersection of Ridge Road and Manning Drive so that you can find the Writing Center’s main office, you may need to zoom all the way in. The question you are asking determines how “broad” your view should be. In the sample assignment above, the questions are probably at the “state” or “city” level of generality. When writing, you need to place your ideas in context—but that context doesn’t generally have to be as big as the whole galaxy!

Try writing your introduction last. You may think that you have to write your introduction first, but that isn’t necessarily true, and it isn’t always the most effective way to craft a good introduction. You may find that you don’t know precisely what you are going to argue at the beginning of the writing process. It is perfectly fine to start out thinking that you want to argue a particular point but wind up arguing something slightly or even dramatically different by the time you’ve written most of the paper. The writing process can be an important way to organize your ideas, think through complicated issues, refine your thoughts, and develop a sophisticated argument. However, an introduction written at the beginning of that discovery process will not necessarily reflect what you wind up with at the end. You will need to revise your paper to make sure that the introduction, all of the evidence, and the conclusion reflect the argument you intend. Sometimes it’s easiest to just write up all of your evidence first and then write the introduction last—that way you can be sure that the introduction will match the body of the paper.

Don’t be afraid to write a tentative introduction first and then change it later. Some people find that they need to write some kind of introduction in order to get the writing process started. That’s fine, but if you are one of those people, be sure to return to your initial introduction later and rewrite if necessary.

Open with something that will draw readers in. Consider these options (remembering that they may not be suitable for all kinds of papers):

• an intriguing example —for example, Douglass writes about a mistress who initially teaches him but then ceases her instruction as she learns more about slavery.
• a provocative quotation that is closely related to your argument —for example, Douglass writes that “education and slavery were incompatible with each other.” (Quotes from famous people, inspirational quotes, etc. may not work well for an academic paper; in this example, the quote is from the author himself.)
• a puzzling scenario —for example, Frederick Douglass says of slaves that “[N]othing has been left undone to cripple their intellects, darken their minds, debase their moral nature, obliterate all traces of their relationship to mankind; and yet how wonderfully they have sustained the mighty load of a most frightful bondage, under which they have been groaning for centuries!” Douglass clearly asserts that slave owners went to great lengths to destroy the mental capacities of slaves, yet his own life story proves that these efforts could be unsuccessful.
• a vivid and perhaps unexpected anecdote —for example, “Learning about slavery in the American history course at Frederick Douglass High School, students studied the work slaves did, the impact of slavery on their families, and the rules that governed their lives. We didn’t discuss education, however, until one student, Mary, raised her hand and asked, ‘But when did they go to school?’ That modern high school students could not conceive of an American childhood devoid of formal education speaks volumes about the centrality of education to American youth today and also suggests the significance of the deprivation of education in past generations.”
• a thought-provoking question —for example, given all of the freedoms that were denied enslaved individuals in the American South, why does Frederick Douglass focus his attentions so squarely on education and literacy?

Pay special attention to your first sentence. Start off on the right foot with your readers by making sure that the first sentence actually says something useful and that it does so in an interesting and polished way.

How to evaluate your introduction draft

Ask a friend to read your introduction and then tell you what they expect the paper will discuss, what kinds of evidence the paper will use, and what the tone of the paper will be. If your friend is able to predict the rest of your paper accurately, you probably have a good introduction.

Five kinds of less effective introductions

1. The placeholder introduction. When you don’t have much to say on a given topic, it is easy to create this kind of introduction. Essentially, this kind of weaker introduction contains several sentences that are vague and don’t really say much. They exist just to take up the “introduction space” in your paper. If you had something more effective to say, you would probably say it, but in the meantime this paragraph is just a place holder.

Example: Slavery was one of the greatest tragedies in American history. There were many different aspects of slavery. Each created different kinds of problems for enslaved people.

2. The restated question introduction. Restating the question can sometimes be an effective strategy, but it can be easy to stop at JUST restating the question instead of offering a more specific, interesting introduction to your paper. The professor or teaching assistant wrote your question and will be reading many essays in response to it—they do not need to read a whole paragraph that simply restates the question.

Example: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass discusses the relationship between education and slavery in 19th century America, showing how white control of education reinforced slavery and how Douglass and other enslaved African Americans viewed education while they endured. Moreover, the book discusses the role that education played in the acquisition of freedom. Education was a major force for social change with regard to slavery.

3. The Webster’s Dictionary introduction. This introduction begins by giving the dictionary definition of one or more of the words in the assigned question. Anyone can look a word up in the dictionary and copy down what Webster says. If you want to open with a discussion of an important term, it may be far more interesting for you (and your reader) if you develop your own definition of the term in the specific context of your class and assignment. You may also be able to use a definition from one of the sources you’ve been reading for class. Also recognize that the dictionary is also not a particularly authoritative work—it doesn’t take into account the context of your course and doesn’t offer particularly detailed information. If you feel that you must seek out an authority, try to find one that is very relevant and specific. Perhaps a quotation from a source reading might prove better? Dictionary introductions are also ineffective simply because they are so overused. Instructors may see a great many papers that begin in this way, greatly decreasing the dramatic impact that any one of those papers will have.

Example: Webster’s dictionary defines slavery as “the state of being a slave,” as “the practice of owning slaves,” and as “a condition of hard work and subjection.”

4. The “dawn of man” introduction. This kind of introduction generally makes broad, sweeping statements about the relevance of this topic since the beginning of time, throughout the world, etc. It is usually very general (similar to the placeholder introduction) and fails to connect to the thesis. It may employ cliches—the phrases “the dawn of man” and “throughout human history” are examples, and it’s hard to imagine a time when starting with one of these would work. Instructors often find them extremely annoying.

Example: Since the dawn of man, slavery has been a problem in human history.

5. The book report introduction. This introduction is what you had to do for your elementary school book reports. It gives the name and author of the book you are writing about, tells what the book is about, and offers other basic facts about the book. You might resort to this sort of introduction when you are trying to fill space because it’s a familiar, comfortable format. It is ineffective because it offers details that your reader probably already knows and that are irrelevant to the thesis.

Example: Frederick Douglass wrote his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave , in the 1840s. It was published in 1986 by Penguin Books. In it, he tells the story of his life.

And now for the conclusion…

Writing an effective introduction can be tough. Try playing around with several different options and choose the one that ends up sounding best to you!

Just as your introduction helps readers make the transition to your topic, your conclusion needs to help them return to their daily lives–but with a lasting sense of how what they have just read is useful or meaningful. Check out our handout on  conclusions for tips on ending your paper as effectively as you began it!

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Douglass, Frederick. 1995. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself . New York: Dover.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Heritage Day Essay Grade 10

Heritage Day, also known as National Braai Day, is a vibrant celebration of South Africa’s rich canvas of cultures, traditions, and histories. But for me as a Grade 10 learner, it can also mean fun time!

This essay guide will equip you to conquer that Heritage Day essay and impress your teacher.

How to answer “Heritage Day Essay” correctly for Grade 10?

Let us look at the magic term: Essay . When a question asks a student to write an “Heritage day essay,” they (students) are expected to provide a structured and well-organised piece of writing that presents and supports a main idea or a position.

The essay should have an introduction that introduces the topic and states the position or a side of the writer, body paragraphs that support the thesis or position with evidence and examples based on their country of South Africa, and a conclusion that summarises the main points and restates the position (good/bad).

Marks Breakdown

Total: 55 Marks

The Topic for Heritage Day Essay for Grade 10

The red text is my handwritten answer.

I will take my essay and based it to heritage day food.

My Title:  A Rainbow on Our Plates on the South Africa’s Food Heritage day ✓

Sample Short Essay (200 words)

Heritage Day in South Africa, the 24th of September, is a day full of life, colours, tunes, and most importantly, delicious food! It is a day when we celebrate the variety of flavours that represent our country’s rich mix of cultures. From the spicy curries made by Durban’s Indian community to the slow-cooked potjiekos of the Dutch settlers’ descendants and to the delicious Mopani worms, every meal has its own tale. ✓

Let’s talk about the braai – it’s the heart of any South African party. It started with the grilling traditions of the Khoisan people and was later picked up by European settlers. Now, the braai brings everyone together, no matter their background, around tasty boerewors and juicy steaks. It’s more than just cooking; it’s a time for joy, a celebration of life, and a way to remember our shared past. ✓

The original people of South Africa have also influenced our food. Samp, a type of maize porridge, has been a main food for ages, and koeksisters – sweet, syrupy pastries – are loved all over. These foods fill us up and also link us to our land and the cleverness of our forebears. ✓

Heritage Day is about more than just enjoying a good braai. It’s a time to value the different food traditions that have helped shape our nation. When we share meals with friends and family from various cultures, we get to know more about them, and together, we build a South Africa that welcomes everyone. ✓

Remember: This is just a sample, adjust the length and content according to your specific essay requirements.

Tips to Score Big:

• Go beyond the braai: Explore lesser-known aspects of heritage like traditional crafts, music, or languages.
• Show, don’t tell: Instead of just stating facts, use vivid descriptions and historical context to bring your essay to life.
• Source it right: Include in-text citations if required, and provide a reference list at the end.
• Proofread like a pro: Typos and grammatical errors can cost you marks. Double-check your work before submission.

By following these tips and understanding the marking scheme, you’ll be well on your way to writing a stellar Heritage Day essay that celebrates the vibrant tapestry of South Africa.

Shama Nathoo

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