UNITED STATES HISTORY RESEARCH PAPER Winter Term Assignment: This is a major research/interpretive paper and project that we will work on over the next few months. You will choose a topic from American history (between 1600-1980) and write a 7 to 11 page paper on this topic. You must take a side and prove your thesis relating to your topic. It is recommended you choose a topic of interest to you because you will be putting a significant amount of time into this project. Do not pick too broad a topic, like World War II or the Civil War. Instead, pick a specific topic to study in depth, like the Battle of Midway or Brown v. Board of Education. In order to find an appropriate argument, try to ask a “why question” about the topic: why was the Battle of Midway the turning point in WWII? Why was Brown v. Board of Education influential in the start of the Civil Rights Movement? Also, this project must be looked at in terms of American history; it cannot be put into context of another country’s history.
Assignment Guidelines: - All steps and the final paper must be typed. Be sure to double-spaced and use appropriate margins when necessary. The final paper should be 7 to 11 pages long. - It must have a bibliography and proper citations (Chicago style). - Each stage of the project is graded. Failure to complete any of the steps will result in a lower final grade on the paper. Lateness will also result in a lower grade.
Steps to the Final Project: (Total Points = 100) TOPIC CHOICE – Wednesday, December 8th – 5 points
Approximately one – half page explaining your topic of choice and what you plan to prove (your argument). Put some thought into this by reading your textbook and doing some outside research, as you want to begin this project on the right foot. Do not wait until the last minute – see me ASAP if you are unsure what to choose or are having trouble narrowing down the topic. This is the jump-start to your paper!
I recommend using the “Topic to Thesis” handout you received from the librarians (don’t worry, another one is attached) to help narrow your topic down to a specific argument/thesis. This will help focus your research efforts. BIBLIOGRAPHY – Monday, January 10th – 10 points
You need to have at least eight sources, none of which can be encyclopedias and several should be primary sources. (If you choose to use an encyclopedia, it will be an additional source.) Internet sources are fine as long as they are from a published work (i.e. Wikopedia doesn’t count). Go through the library databases, not random searches on Google. Each source you’ve ever consulted for this project needs to be included in your bibliography and each should be listed separately in Chicago style. You MUST use NOODLETOOLS for compiling your citations and bibliography. The librarians can (and will) show you how to use this so don’t be afraid to ask for help! There are other citation links through the library website. DETAILED OUTLINE – Friday, January 21st – 20 points
Your outline should include your thesis and forecast as well as the supporting evidence you plan to use. This outline should read like your complete paper, minus all the appropriate grammar. Organize this outline as you plan to organize your paper. The more time you put into this outline, the less work you will have to do later. I recommend you add in the quotations you plan to use (cite the source even if not a footnote yet). FIRST DRAFT – Wednesday, February 2nd - 40 points (worth MORE points than final draft!)
This is the first draft of your essay and should be a beefed up version of your outline. It is expected that you address the issues raised from your outline as well as include any additional research you have done on your own. You also need to include an updated and corrected version of your bibliography. As noted above, the First Draft is worth more than your Final Draft – put time and effort into this or your final grade on this project will suffer. FINAL DRAFT – Friday, February 18th – 25 points...DUE DATE CHANGE - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd
This is the final draft of your essay. You should address all of the issues raised on your rough draft and fix all the little mistakes too. You must also include a corrected version of your bibliography. If you only address the little mistakes and do not address any of the questions posed, your grade will reflect this lack of effort.
Library Days: We will meet in the library on the days listed below. The time will be spent attending some short information sessions with Mrs. Lewis and/or Ms. Miller and researching. You will need to find time to do research on your own as well – you will need more than these four days to complete the research. Wednesday, December 1st: present research paper project, refresher on databases and other library resources, research Thursday, December 2nd: general research (remember topic is due 12/8/10) Tuesday, December 7th: NoodleTooles/plagiarism/note taking class Tuesday, December 14th: NoodleTools /general research Friday, January 7th: general research
Winter Term
Assignment: This is a major research/interpretive paper and project that we will work on over the next few months. You will choose a topic from American history (between 1600-1980) and write a 7 to 11 page paper on this topic. You must take a side and prove your thesis relating to your topic. It is recommended you choose a topic of interest to you because you will be putting a significant amount of time into this project. Do not pick too broad a topic, like World War II or the Civil War. Instead, pick a specific topic to study in depth, like the Battle of Midway or Brown v. Board of Education. In order to find an appropriate argument, try to ask a “why question” about the topic: why was the Battle of Midway the turning point in WWII? Why was Brown v. Board of Education influential in the start of the Civil Rights Movement? Also, this project must be looked at in terms of American history; it cannot be put into context of another country’s history.
Assignment Guidelines:
- All steps and the final paper must be typed. Be sure to double-spaced and use appropriate margins when necessary. The final paper should be 7 to 11 pages long.
- It must have a bibliography and proper citations (Chicago style).
- Each stage of the project is graded. Failure to complete any of the steps will result in a lower final grade on the paper. Lateness will also result in a lower grade.
Steps to the Final Project: (Total Points = 100)
TOPIC CHOICE – Wednesday, December 8th – 5 points
Approximately one – half page explaining your topic of choice and what you plan to prove (your argument). Put some thought into this by reading your textbook and doing some outside research, as you want to begin this project on the right foot. Do not wait until the last minute – see me ASAP if you are unsure what to choose or are having trouble narrowing down the topic. This is the jump-start to your paper!
I recommend using the “Topic to Thesis” handout you received from the librarians (don’t worry, another one is attached) to help narrow your topic down to a specific argument/thesis. This will help focus your research efforts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY – Monday, January 10th – 10 points
You need to have at least eight sources, none of which can be encyclopedias and several should be primary sources. (If you choose to use an encyclopedia, it will be an additional source.) Internet sources are fine as long as they are from a published work (i.e. Wikopedia doesn’t count). Go through the library databases, not random searches on Google.
Each source you’ve ever consulted for this project needs to be included in your bibliography and each should be listed separately in Chicago style.
You MUST use NOODLETOOLS for compiling your citations and bibliography. The librarians can (and will) show you how to use this so don’t be afraid to ask for help! There are other citation links through the library website.
DETAILED OUTLINE – Friday, January 21st – 20 points
Your outline should include your thesis and forecast as well as the supporting evidence you plan to use. This outline should read like your complete paper, minus all the appropriate grammar. Organize this outline as you plan to organize your paper. The more time you put into this outline, the less work you will have to do later. I recommend you add in the quotations you plan to use (cite the source even if not a footnote yet).
FIRST DRAFT – Wednesday, February 2nd - 40 points
(worth MORE points than final draft!)
This is the first draft of your essay and should be a beefed up version of your outline. It is expected that you address the issues raised from your outline as well as include any additional research you have done on your own. You also need to include an updated and corrected version of your bibliography. As noted above, the First Draft is worth more than your Final Draft – put time and effort into this or your final grade on this project will suffer.
FINAL DRAFT – Friday, February 18th – 25 points...DUE DATE CHANGE - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd
This is the final draft of your essay. You should address all of the issues raised on your rough draft and fix all the little mistakes too. You must also include a corrected version of your bibliography. If you only address the little mistakes and do not address any of the questions posed, your grade will reflect this lack of effort.
Library Days: We will meet in the library on the days listed below. The time will be spent attending some short information sessions with Mrs. Lewis and/or Ms. Miller and researching. You will need to find time to do research on your own as well – you will need more than these four days to complete the research.
Wednesday, December 1st: present research paper project, refresher on databases and other library resources, research
Thursday, December 2nd: general research (remember topic is due 12/8/10)
Tuesday, December 7th: NoodleTooles/plagiarism/note taking class
Tuesday, December 14th: NoodleTools /general research
Friday, January 7th: general research