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Research Paper My task as instructor is to teach you why history is relevant. Your goal for this assignment is to show me why I should care about a subject you have chosen. Students are required to complete a short history on any topic of interest, pending approval by instructor. Yes, YOU get to choose! What do you love? Music? Dance? Science? Sports? Film and Television? The Microwave? Everything has a history. Your assignment is to uncover the history of a topic you are passionate about. Each topic must be approved prior to beginning your research. In a five or six page essay you will describe the origins, major contributing events and actors, and current relevance of your subject matter. Paper Requirements Format: Papers should be typed using Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced, and written in clear concise prose.* They should be 5-6 pages (at least 1500 words) in length with a clear thesis, introduction, body, conclusion, footnotes or endnotes, and a bibliography. I strongly suggest you submit a rough draft of your paper one week prior to the due date.

With the exception of JSTOR articles, you may not solely rely on web-based sources. Such an action will reflect poorly on your grade. Using websites other than .gov or .edu is strictly prohibited without prior permission from the instructor. Using the following websites will immediately result in a failing grade: Wikipedia.com, about.com, ask.com, ehow.com, answers.com. Our library is full of books and academic journals. Use them. Components: Organize your paper into discrete paragraphs. Avoid overwriting (using several sentences when a single, short sentence will make your point). Avoid the passive voice. Avoid using phrases such as "seems to," "may be," "appears to," and similar phrases that weaken your writing. Write with confidence.

Thesis Your paper should have a thesis sentence that states the main point of the paper. Introduction Your introduction should tell the reader what you are going to discuss in the body of your paper. It should indicate how the paper's contents are organized and developed. * Do not play games with fonts and margins. I will count words if I must.

Body Using the paper's thesis as a guide, plan the major sections of the paper's body. Make sure that each section relates directly to the paper's thesis and logically to the other sections in the paper. Provide transitional elements (phrases, sentences, paragraphs) in the paper's body to connect ideas, paragraphs, and sections. Conclusion Your paper's conclusion should summarize the main points of the paper and draw the essay to a close. Citations & Plagiarism Avoid using too many quotations, and quote only when absolutely necessary. Do not use long quotes (more than a sentence or two). Do not use block quotations. Your paper should contain footnotes, endnotes, or in-text citations that cite your sources. The use of another individual's ideas or words without proper citation constitutes plagiarism. This is the worst form of academic misconduct and will result in a failing grade on the assignment. If you are still unsure about what plagiarism is, please speak with me. Late Papers Papers are due in the Dropbox on the due date. Late papers will automatically receive a letter grade deduction for each day beyond the submission requirement. Grading System for Paper I. Structure = 20 points

A. Introduction B. Body C. Conclusion D. Footnotes or Endnotes

II. Mechanics = 30 points A. Grammar (including proper use of words) B. Sentence structure and phrasing C. Overall readability of paper

D. Correct format and usage of footnotes or endnotes III. Content = 50 points

A. Is it apparent that student is familiar with the subject? B. How well does student prove her/his point? C. Does student use valid comparisons and contrasts? D. Does the introduction give a thorough overview of paper? E. Did student integrate reliable sources into paper? F. How well does the paper address its thesis? G. Does the conclusion bring paper to a proper close?