Final Research Paper
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HIST-HowtowriteaResearchPaper.docxTIPS for WRITING HISTORY PAPERS
Take a position. Say what you think, and why. In history, usually it is a matter of a "good"persuasive, argument, or a "bad" one, i.e. an unpersuasive, poorly planned one (Garcia, 3-6).
Bibliography: A research paper requires research, i.e. finding the relevant primary sources, secondary literature, etc, and evaluating all this material. Skim through the secondary sources and see what general lines of argument develop that relate to your topic.
Outline: After you have done your research, plan in advance what line of argument you will take. (I’ll provide an example in class.)
Title: Choose a title which suggests a question or debate you will address.
Introduction: Start strongly. This is where you manage (or fail) to capture interest and thereby improve your grade. Usually the first paragraph should introduce the argument (thesis statement).
Argument: Marshall evidence to support your thesis. This does not mean that you simply pile up facts. If others take different lines of argument on your topic, indicate why you agree or disagree with them.
Conclusion: Finish with a bang not a whimper. Summarize the debate neatly in a paragraph or two. The conclusion should reinforce, in the reader's mind, the persuasiveness of your whole argument.
Style: Write in clear, concise English. Use the least number of words possible to make your point.
· Always write in the past tense: this is, after all, history.
· Short sentences are often easier to control. This helps you to make your points clearly and forcefully.
Paragraphs: Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. A Topic Sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of each paragraph. Tells what the paragraph is about.
Quotations: Keep all quotes short.
Annotation: Use footnotes. I will demonstrate on WORD in class how to insert.
CITATION Examples
Fernandez, A. Raul & Gonzalez, G. Gilbert. A Century of Chicano History: Empire, Nation, and Migration. New York: Routledge Press, 2003.
Foley, Neil. The White Scourge: Mexicans, Blacks, and Poor Whites in the Texas Cotton Culture. Berkley: University of California Press, 1997. (Citation example for book) Use when citing a source for the first time.
Foley, The White Scourge, 90. (Use this type of Citation for a repeat book cited, see above)
Bogren, Alexandra. "Gender and Alcohol: The Swedish Press Debate." Journal of Gender Studies 20, no. 2 (June 2011): 155-69. (Citation example for a Journal Article)
Campbell Brown, "Consequentialize This," Ethics 121, no. 4 (July 2011): 752, accessed December 1, 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/660696. (Online Journal Article)
What are Primary and Secondary Sources?
Primary Sources
A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. Primary sources include historical and legal documents, eyewitness accounts, results of experiments, statistical data, pieces of creative writing, audio and video recordings, speeches, and art objects. Interviews, surveys, fieldwork, and Internet communications via email, blogs, listservs, and newsgroups are also primary sources. In the natural and social sciences, primary sources are often empirical studies—research where an experiment was performed or a direct observation was made. The results of empirical studies are typically found in scholarly articles or papers delivered at conferences.
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources. Secondary source materials can be books, articles in newspapers or popular magazines, book or movie reviews, or articles found in scholarly journals that discuss or evaluate someone else's original research.
Outline (Sample)
I. Introduction
a. Say something important about the time period, event and group that captivates attention. (Attention getter)
b. Introduce your topic.
c. Introduce the conflict or issue.
d. Introduce your thesis statement (argument).
II. Body
a. Give a brief overview on the history of your topic.
b. Offer different perspectives on the issue or event.
c. Provide evidence and examples that support your thesis statement (argument).
d. Explain why you agree or disagree with other arguments or perspectives that challenge or support your argument (thesis statement).
e. Consequences or effects.
III. Conclusion
a. End strong enough to reinforce everything that you have being arguing throughout the paper. Reinforce your thesis statement.
Please feel free to ask me about anything. I am more than willing to help you with any hurdles you may encounter in completing your research paper.
GOOD LUCK CLASS, I Wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Professor Garcia
Citation- http://www.arts.cornell.edu/prh3/257/classmats/papertip.html
