But please remember the essay has to seem "well thought out."
Like I said, use the Shovel as much as you want--just organize it in such a manner that it appears you are answering THE QUESTION ASKED with relevant information that "appears" as if you have intimate knowledge of the era of History that question pertains to--whether it does or not.
BTW, my essay question was on the X,Y & Z Affair of 1797.
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."