Historical Context in Literature
Research the historical context of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and analyze one theme in
connection to the historical context. The paper will reflect how the literature was influenced by
imperialism, and it will explain what commentary Achebe is making about the event. This paper will
delve deeper into the historical implications imperialism, including all of the decisions made during this
time had on societies that followed. As a result, this paper will make connections to current events that
can then be compared to a modern day Imperialism.
Process
1. Expectations:
a. Research the historical context of TFA
b. Develop a thesis based on one theme in the novel that identifies the author's perspective
about the historical event
c. Make a connection to a current event that can be considered modern day Imperialism
2. Read the novel and provide a minimum of three quotes from the novel that support your thesis
3. Research the event and create annotated bibliography (5 sources minimum)
4. Research a current event that is considered a modern day example of Imperialism (ex. New York
Times, Washington Post, etc.)
5. Develop an outline of the paper including the above.
6. Write a typed first draft of your essay meeting the following expectations:
a. the paper should be 3-5 pages in length
b. all information from sources should be referenced with parenthetical citations
c. Typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, 12 point Times or Arial Font (no exceptions)
7. Re-write the paper into a final draft and submit to turnitin.com
Assignment Deadlines
Library Research
History
_______/20 points (Due:
Annotated Bibliography (min. 5 sources) History
_______/50 points (Due:
Rough Draft and
English
Works Cited
(w/original and revised outline)
_______/50 points (Due:
Final Draft with
Rough Draft
______/50 points (Due:
Plagiarism
 Any work that is plagiarized will receive a zero.
 Plagiarism is defined as using another’s work without quotation or citation.
 If you use someone else’s ideas, reference where you found the information.
Works Cited
 A minimum of 5 sources from three different types must be used:
- Books
- Primary Source: journal/magazine/newspaper articles on-line or from a hard copy source are
acceptable
- 1 encyclopedia source may be used, excluding Wikipedia
All sources must be verifiable from the GALE Sources or an academic book
– Be sure sources are accurate – check information from multiple sources
– Be sure sources come from a credible source
 A Works Cited page must accompany the rough and final drafts
 Works Cited samples
Book
Okuda, Michael. Star Trek Chronology: The History
of the Future. New York: Pocket, 1993
Journal Article
Wilcox, Rhonda V. “Shifting Roles and Synthetic Women in Star
Trek: The Next Generation.” Studies in Popular Culture 13.2 (1991):
53-65.
Newspaper or Magazine Article
Di Rado, Alicia. “Trekking through College: Classes Explore Modern
Society Using the World of Star Trek.” Los Angeles Times 15 Mar.
1995: A3.
Website
Lynch, Tim. “DSN Trials and Tribble-ations Review. “Psi Phi: Bradley’s
Science Fiction Club. 1996. Bradley University. 8 Oct. 1997 <http://
www.bradley.edu/campusorg/psiphi/DS9/ep/503r.html>.
Disclaimer
 Failure to meet due dates will result in a lower grade
 Failure to follow directions will result in a lower grade
 All 10th grade English and History teachers are available if needed
 The Library is available for your use (I.D. cards are required to use the Internet)
Referencing Your Sources
Preparing parenthetical citations to document your sources makes your sources easily accessible to
your reader. The following guidelines will help you to cite your sources properly For other situations,
see your teacher.
1. Parenthetical Basic Citation
Place the citation at the end of the sentence that contains the material being documented. The
citation should appear after the text of the sentence but before the end mark.
a. Author’s last name,
b. Page number, if a book or periodical,
c. No commas separating the two.
Sample: Once footnoting was the means to acknowledge a source, but “the method of
documentation most widely used today is called parenthetical documentation” (Shepherd
63).
2. Parenthetical citation of an encyclopedia article.
When citing an article in a reference work that is arranged alphabetically (like an encyclopedia or
similar reference work) and does NOT have an author, give only the title or a shortened version of
the title. No page numbers are given for an encyclopedia citation because each edition varies.
Sample: The only way to drive to Alaska is by way of the Alaska Highway, which is the only
land route between Alaska and the rest of the mainland United States (“Alaska Highway).
3. Parenthetical citation of a work by two or three authors.
When citing a work by two or three authors, give the authors’ last names and the page number.
Sample: Remember that a report is a documented paper where the writer is an “observer”
who has collected, organized, copied the information (Sebranek, Meyer, and Kemper 70).
4. Parenthetical citation from an internet source.
Follow the same guidelines as the basic parenthetical citation (#1).
Sample: Imagine living in the perfect climate. “The San Diego temperature is moderate all
year,” claims an article in the Social Science Journal (Langston 57).