Which historian's argument is more compelling and why?

The Chicago Manual of Style presents two basic documentation systems: (1) notes and bibliography and (2) author-date. Choosing between the two often depends on subject matter and the nature of sources cited, as each system is favored by different groups of scholars.

The notes and bibliography style is preferred by many in the humanities, including those in literature, history, and the arts. This style presents bibliographic information in notes and, often, a bibliography. 

The author-date system has long been used by those in the physical, natural, and social sciences. In this system, sources are briefly cited in the text, usually in parentheses, by author’s last name and date of publication. The short citations are amplified in a list of references, where full bibliographic information is provided. From Chicago Manual of Style: Quick Citation Guide

·

In the Notes and Bibliography system, you should include a note (endnote or footnote) each time you use a source, whether through a direct quote, paraphrase, or summary.

· Footnotes are added at the end of the page on which the source is referenced, while endnotes are compiled at the end of each chapter or at the end of the entire document.

· In the NB system, the footnote or endnote itself begins with the appropriate full-sized number, followed by a period and then a space.

· A superscript number corresponding to a note, along with the bibliographic information for that source, should be placed in the text following the end of the sentence or clause in which the source is referenced.

· If a work includes a bibliography, then it is not necessary to provide full publication details in notes.

· If you cite the same source again, or if a bibliography is included in the work, the note only needs to include the surname of the author, a shortened form of the title (if more than four words), and the page number(s).

· However, in a work that does not include a bibliography, it is recommended that the full citation be repeated when it is first used in a new chapter.

· If you cite the same source two or more times consecutively, CMOS recommends using shortened citations.

· In a work with a bibliography, the first reference should use a shortened citation which includes the author’s name, the source title, and the page number(s), and consecutive references to the same work may omit the source title and simply include the author and page number.

· Although discouraged by CMOS, if you cite the same source and page number(s) from a single source two or more times consecutively, it is also possible to utilize the word “Ibid.,” ( from the Latin ibidem, which means “in the same place,”) as the corresponding note.

· If you use the same source but draw from a different new page, the corresponding note should use “Ibid.” followed by a comma and the new page number(s).

In the NB system, the bibliography provides an alphabetical list of all sources used in a given work. This page, most often titled Bibliography, is usually placed at the end of the work preceding the index. It should include all sources cited within the work and may sometimes include other relevant sources that were not cited but provide further reading.

· Although bibliographic entries for various sources may be formatted differently, all included sources (books, articles, websites, etc.) are arranged alphabetically by author’s last name. If no author or editor is listed, the title or, as a last resort, a descriptive phrase may be used.

· Though useful, a bibliography is not required in works that provide full bibliographic information in the notes.

Common Elements

All entries in the bibliography will include the author (or editor, compiler, translator), title, and publication information.

· Author Names

· The author’s name is inverted in the bibliography, placing the last name first and separating the last name and first name with a comma; for example, John Smith becomes Smith, John.

· Titles

· Titles of books and journals are italicized.

· Titles of articles, chapters, poems, etc. are placed in quotation marks.

· Publication Information

· The year of publication is listed after the publisher or journal name.

· Punctuation

· In a bibliography, all major elements are separated by periods.

Purpose

This assignment asks you to demonstrate course competencies 1-3 by examining how two pieces of scholarly work related to a common topic and to each other. You will analyze two secondary sources to distill different interpretations of the past and evaluate historical arguments. This is a fundamental component of a historian's job, but the skills of evaluating arguments and the use of evidence are necessary for being able to function as an informed citizen. This assignment provides you with another opportunity to practice critical reading, summarization, and paraphrasing skills. The ability to appreciate, critique, and reconstruct an argument is critical for successful communication in many careers today.

Instructions

Since its passing, the New Deal has remained a topic of substantial controversy and debate among historians and the general public alike. For this assignment, you will read two different perspectives on the New Deal by major U.S. historians David M. Kennedy and Burton Folsom. Using both articles and at least EIGHT of the sources provided from New Deal Articles list

, explain which view of President F.D.R. and the New Deal is more compelling. 

Here is the link to the two articles: New Deal Articles

Here is the link to the primary source list: Primary Sources

Assume that you are writing this paper for an undergraduate conference on the New Deal. Assume that your audience has NOT read this assignment and will attend your talk because you hooked them with an interesting title. Your paper should be at least 1,250 words in length, but not more than 1300, not including quotes or footnotes. 

Which historian's argument is more compelling and why? The answer to this question will provide you with a thesis statement on which to build out your analysis and argument. You will have space in this paper to write a proper introduction paragraph. Start broadly by introducing the topic and the problem at hand. Then narrow down your focus to the crux of each author's viewpoint. End your introduction with your thesis statement. Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence and evidence from the provided secondary and primary sources. Only use short quotes and make sure to engage in proper paraphrasing when necessary - do not simply change words around. End with a conclusion paragraph that succinctly restates your thesis and main points.

While you will be presenting your own argument on this topic, you will nonetheless want to practice speaking in an authoritative tone that allows your written arguments to do the job of persuading your readers. This means that you should avoid writing in first person. Do not use "I think" or "I believe" statements, as these tend to weaken your case by making it sound opinionated and subjective. 

 

Properly format your paper as follows:

· Include a proper cover sheet with a title. 

· Use a standard font like 12 pt. Times New Roman.

· Double-space the text.

· Use 1 inch margins or larger.

· Indent new paragraphs by ½ inch.

· Place page numbers in the bottom center.

· Submit your essay in Word format only.

Criteria

Submit your paper to this assignment box. 

These papers will be evaluated based on the attached rubric. 

Important(!): This is not a research paper; it is an analysis of secondary sources already collected for you. You are not allowed to use any other source material other than those found in this course for this assignment. Cite all your sources using Chicago Manual of Style citations in footnotes. Resources for citing can be found in the resources section below. 

See attached rubric for precise assessment scoring guidelines. 

Video Tutorial |  How to Submit an Assignment Links to an external site.

Resources

Reminder: Some of the resources and primary sources provided in the course are scanned version of historical documents which have yet to be officially transcribed. If you encounter any issues reading these documents, reach out to your instructor or the Disability Resource Center for assistance. 

Cover Page | Cover Page Template

Sample of Properly Formatted Essay | Sample 

Notice the title page, page numbers, first line indent, and bibliography on a separate page. Also notice the citations in the footnotes. These are correctly formatted in Chicago Manual of Style, as is the bibliography.