History Paper

Guidelines for Term Paper

Prof. V. Simonelli

a. Your paper must begin with an abstract, this is a brief statement or summary of the topic and the main idea(s) presented in the paper. The paper must end with a conclusion, this is identifies what you have learned from your research and provides the historical relevance of your paper. Your ability to clearly develop an argument which identifies the historical relevance of your topic is the key component of a successful paper. A paper lacking an abstract and/or conclusion is incomplete and will be graded accordingly.

b. Length of your paper should range from 5-7 double spaced pages using 12 or 14 point font.

c. A Works Cited must be included as well as properly credited citations (footnotes) where appropriate. Direct quotations, statistics, concepts and ideas (other than your own) graphs and charts should be properly cited. The works cited and/or bibliography should be listed on the last page of your term paper. The text of your paper should not be on this page. It should be arranged in alphabetical order based on the author(s) last name (list more than one author alphabetically. If the book has an editor then list the editor’s name in lieu of the author’s name); followed by the title of the source, place of publication, the publisher, and year of publication for the edition you are using. All citations must relate to a work found in your Works Cited page.

Example:

Beevor, Anthony, D-Day: the Battle for Normandy, London: Penguin, 2009. Print.

There are several methods of setting up internal citations. The following is a variation of the MLA system (Modern Language Association) which is used in most liberal arts and humanities scholarship. It is a parenthetical system, allowing you to place your citation in parentheses immediately following the information in the text of your paper. You may learn more about the MLA system by visiting: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/

Example:

Use this when you cite a work for the first time in your text.

( Beevor, D-Day: the Battle for Normandy, p.300-1)

When you cite the same book again in your paper, you should eliminate the title.

Example:

(Beevor, p. 59)

Multiple authors should be listed alphabetically by last name followed by the page number in parentheses.

Example:

(Smith, Yang and Moore 76)

d. You may select any topic relevant to the period in history we are studying. In a paper of this length it is to your advantage to narrow the topic to a specific event(s) as opposed to a broader more complicated topic. The most effective paper reflects a particular point of view: a thesis. The paper then proceeds to develop evidence that supports the thesis. In other words, the body (the main section) of your paper needs to demonstrate the historical importance of your subject. How does the person, event, movement, philosophical idea or invention impact history. This must be you focus as you are writing your paper.

e. The paper should begin with an abstract end with a conclusion.

f. Please include a cover sheet for your paper. It should include: Title of paper, Course Number, Your Name and Date all centered in the middle of the page.

g. Please number all pages.

h. The paper must cite at least two books (other than your texts for this course) that you have used in your research.

i. List all web sites you have used.

j. The paper is due on the date listed below. It will be reduced in grade one-half letter grade for each class session following the due date for a maximum of six classes. After the sixth class session, it will not be accepted and you will receive no credit for the paper. Should the due date present a problem for you whatever the reason, please discuss this with me as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements.

k. Attached is a scoring rubric, that will indicate how your paper will be evaluated.

l. All papers must be in hard copy format. Papers submitted via e-mail attachment will not be accepted.

Please understand that your paper will be graded, in part, on how you have followed the guidelines contained in this guideline sheet.

Time line for term paper:

Topic submitted for approval no later than ___________

Paper completed and submitted no later than ___________

Please feel free to discuss with me any of the above should you have questions.

Please complete the form below and submit to me for approval no later than one month before paper due date.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Term Paper Topic Form

Name ______________________ Date __________________

Course No. _________

Due Date: __________

Topic : ________________________________________

Thesis ____________________________________________________

Prof. Signature ___________________________________