Year Long Research Paper Project
Starting in December you will begin working on a research paper about an event, person, place, or
movement in US History (but only within the timespan covered in US History I – Colonial History until the
end of Reconstruction). This project will be completed by everyone individually and it will be in addition
to any other projects given out in class, including the quarterly Honors Project. Different parts of the
research paper will due at different times throughout the rest of the year, as follows:
2nd Quarter – Due Date: December 13th – Paper Outline, 10 research notecards, and 3 source cards
3rd Quarter – Due Date: To be determined – Rough Draft, 5 additional research notecards, and 3
additional source cards
4th Quarter – Due Date: To be determined – Final Draft (including all research notecards and source
cards)
This major project will require substantial effort throughout the year, and cannot be completed hurriedly
in a few days. Please do not procrastinate. Working consistently on it throughout each quarter will yield
the best results.
Tue Dec 3rd
Classwork: Individual Research into your topic and historical question, narrow down topic.
HW: Bring a Thesis to me tomorrow to look over
Wed Dec 4th
Classwork: work on notecards, 5 done today
HW: Work on Notecards
Thur Dec 5th
Classwork: work on notecards, 5 done today
HW: Work on notecards 1-10 and 3 source cards due PRINTED tomorrow!
Friday Dec 6th
Classwork: work on revising and tightening up Thesis, Work on organizing paper outline
HW: Work on notecards and Outline: due Friday 13th
2nd Quarter Research Paper Rubric: Getting Started
Outline: 50 Points total
I.
Introduction – 10 points total
A.
Topic
II.
III.
IV.
V.
______/3 points
B.
Research Question
______/2 points
C.
Thesis
______/5 points
Supporting Argument #1 – 10 points total
Paraphrase an argument that supports your thesis (topic sentence)
______/5 points
What evidence do you have to support this argument? (Notecards)
______/5 points
Supporting Argument #2 – 10 points total
Paraphrase an argument that supports your thesis (topic sentence)
______/5 points
What evidence do you have to support this argument? (Notecards)
______/5 points
Supporting Argument #3 – 10 points total
Paraphrase an argument that supports your thesis (topic sentence)
______/5 points
What evidence do you have to support this argument? (Notecards)
______/5 points
Conclusion – 10 points total
A.
Restate thesis
B.
______/5 points
Recap of main points in you supporting paragraphs
______/5 points
Notecards: 55 points total
1. At least 10 fully completed notecards
______/40 points
2. At least 3 preliminary source cards
______/15 points
Total Score:
______/105 points
Paper Topics:
Columbian Exchange
Spanish Colonization
Competition between European Colonization
Resistance to Colonization
Jamestown
Native and European Relations
Indentured Servitude
Colonial Slavery
Bacons Rebellion
Mayflower
Religion in New England
Pequot War
Quakers
Salem Witch Trials
Glorious Revolution
Mercantilism
Triangle Trade
Middle Passage
Stono Rebellion
Economy of Southern Colonies
Economy of Northern Colonies
Great Awakening
Enlightenment
French and Indian War
Townshend Acts
Sons of Liberty
Boston Massacre
Boston Tea Party
Lexington and Concord
Common Sense
Valley Forge
Saratoga
Yorktown
Articles of Confederation
Shays Rebellion
Constitutional Compromises
Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists
1st National Bank
DC Compromise
XYZ Affair
Alien and Sedition Acts
Nullification Crisis
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Louisiana Purchase
Marbury vs. Madison
War of 1812
Industrial Revolution (North East)
Jackson and the Bank
Jackson and Spoils and Nullification Crisis
Trail of Tears
Henry Clays American System
Extension of Slavery in New Territories
Panic of 1837
2nd Great Awakening
Abolitionism
Slavery in the American South
Fredrick Douglass
David Walker
Education reform
Mental Health Reform
Prison Reform
Temperance movement
Seneca Falls
American Utopias
Lowell System/Strike
Market Revolution
Manifest Destiny
Oregon Trail
Mormons
California Gold Rush
Texas Republic (independence)
Texas Annexation
Mexican-American War
Underground Railroad (Herriot Tubman)
Compromise 1850
Bleeding Kansas
Harpers Fairy
Dred Scott
Lincoln, Douglas Debates
Lincoln
Secession from the Union
Outline
I. Introduction
A. Topic (any notecards that introduce your topic)
B. Research Question and importance of topic (write it out)
C. Thesis: (Write it out)
II. Supporting Argument #1 (Topic sentence, write it out)
A. Textual evidence 1 (your notecard here)
i. Any other sub points to make (any other notecards here)
ii. Any other sub points to make (any other notecards here)
B. Textual evidence 2 (your notecard here)
C. Textual evidence 3 (your notecard here)
III. Supporting Argument #2 (Topic sentence, write it out)
A. Textual evidence 1 (your notecard here)
B. Textual evidence 2 (your notecard here)
IV. Supporting Argument #3 (Topic sentence, write it out)
A. Textual evidence 1 (your notecard here)
B. Textual evidence 2 (your notecard here)
V. Conclusion
A. Restate Thesis (write it out)
B. Recap of main points in your supporting paragraphs
i. Supporting Argument #1
ii. Supporting Argument #2
iii. Supporting Argument #3
EVALUATING SOURCES:
You need to be careful when using sources of information. Judging how reliable sources of
information are is difficult. When in doubt, ask people you trust to know what sources are
trustworthy.
Best sources of information:
 Books from the library shelves
 Databases available through the library
 Groups of suitable websites for research in the subject area
Databases;
These should be your first line of research. The sources used in these are the more recent and reliable
for research. You will find magazine articles, primary sources articles, newspaper articles and
writings from books.
Books, Magazines and Newspapers
Any print information should have current information with unbiased viewpoints and should relate to
your guiding statement.
Ask yourself?
1. What is the copyright?
2. Can you find 2 sources that say the same thing?
3. Is the writer respected in the field?
4. Can you verify the facts by asking a knowledgeable person?
5. Is the information based on facts or does it seem to be someone’s opinion?
6. If the source is from a newspaper or magazine, is it an opinion column, ad or a news story?
World Wide Web
This is a valuable source of information, but not the only source. Remember, anyone can have a
website. Make sure that you are using a site that is not slanted or biased.
1. Websites that end with .gov, .us, .edu or ,mus are more credible that personal pages. These are
onlines sites for educational institutions museums and the government.
2. Websites that end in .com are commercial sites. While many are legitimate, such as
ABCNEWS.com, some may be trying to sell a product or opinion.
3. Beware of blogs. These are opinion sites.
4. When was the site created? When was it last updated?
5. Is the author/s well known and credible?
6. Is there a way to contact the person who developed the site?
TAKING NOTES:
 Make sure you record the key data from your source.
 Use abbreviations and phrases
 Don’t write the same facts over and over again