HISTORY 1301
RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES
1.
Your paper needs to be 5 pages, typed and double spaced. Please put your name,
the class time, and the title of your paper on the top left hand side of your paper.
2.
You will need to use at least 3 sources, one of which must be a primary source
and the other secondary sources. A primary source is one that is written during
the time that your subject lived or your event occurred. For instance, if you were
going to write on the Salem Witch Trials, you could use the actual trial
proceedings as a primary source. A secondary source is one written after the fact,
something like Carol Karlsen’s book The Devil in the Shape of a Woman. The
Internet may be used with a great deal of discretion; not everything on a site
may be historically accurate. If you have questions about using the Internet,
please see me.
3.
You will need a bibliography and endnotes. Unless you are a history major, you
may use the MLA format for both.
4.
Do NOT plagiarize. You have signed a contract stating that you know what
plagiarism is, and that you agree not to do it. Everything must be in your own
words; do not paraphrase someone else’s work and try to pass it off as your own.
That is still plagiarism, and you will still get a 0 for the exam. You may use
several quotes, but do not quote extensively, and remember to cite every single
quotation or source that you use!
5.
Your paper is due on November 17. Late papers will be accepted but 10% will be
taken off your grade for each class day your paper is late.
6.
If you would like any help with your paper, please email me or see me before or
after class; I will be happy to assist you whenever necessary.
7.
Last but not least, your topic needs to be pertinent to our course. That means that
you can write on anything that has to do with the history, literature, arts, sciences,
anthropology, architecture, etc… of America from Native American and colonial
settlement until Reconstruction. Please write on something that you find
interesting! If you need suggestions, please come talk to me.