The Junior Year Thesis Paper
Name_____________________________
Period_____
This is an exercise in interpretation and argumentation. Your task is to find out something about the past. But it is also to
construct a persuasive argument, one that uses evidence and analysis to convince readers of a thesis. You will be
required to read sources (primary and secondary), think about them, and interpret them to answer some question about
the past. In case you’ve missed this, history is basically an EDUCATED GUESS ABOUT THE PAST. This is your
opportunity to engage in this process. The process will be broken into steps and you will receive points for correctly
completing each step as well as receive a grade for the final paper you submit. Pay attention to deadlines on the
homework calendar; if you miss them, you lose the points for that step.
The concept of “argument” is central to this task. This basically means that you will express a point of view on a subject
and support it with evidence. The ability to argue effectively is the foundation of intelligent thinking.
For more information on understanding this project, consult the section on Research Papers that begins on page 35 in
Writing for Social Studies.
Step One: Choosing a Topic
The question my research paper will address is:
Step Two: Introductory Research
Schedule a visit to the library in order to learn what sources are available for research in your subject area and help you
begin to construct a thesis statement. There is a sign-up sheet in the library for you to schedule your meeting with the
librarian.
While at the library, jot down some questions that come to mind that you will want to look into, a list of the helpful
resources, databases, books, websites that you think will help you do your research, and a list of the sources you actually
consult while there.
Questions triggered by preliminary research/Questions you think you will have to investigate in order to do a good job on
your paper:
List of resources the librarian is helping you find that you will want to consult during your research:
List at least FOUR sources you consulted (MLA style—may as well get the hang of it now). Only one of these sources
may be a website.
Librarian’s signature: ______________________________________ This form’s due date is on homework calendar.
Step Three: The Thesis Statement
For more guidelines with constructing a thesis statement, consult pages 58-61 in Writing for Social Studies.
What is a thesis statement?
 It is the result of a lengthy thinking process
 It tells the reader what to expect from the paper.
 It directly answers a question.
 It expresses an opinion that others might challenge or oppose. Thesis statements that are too vague
often do not have a strong argument.
 It connects to some larger issue. It passes the “so what?” test.
 It is usually a single sentence at the end of your introduction that presents your argument to the reader.
The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the
reader of the logic of your interpretation.
Why are the following unsatisfactory thesis statements?
Alexander Hamilton was an intelligent man.
John Kennedy was a great president.
Children forced to work in factories in the late 19th century suffered greatly. (Who would oppose this argument?)
Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president of all time.
If not for Franklin Roosevelt, the United States would not have survived the Great Depression and the country
would have collapsed into fascism.
Example of how to move from a weak to a compelling thesis statement:
Weak: “The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different.”
Although this answers a question—Why was the war fought?—it doesn’t provide the reader with enough information.
What were the reasons? How were they different? How were they the same?
Compelling: “While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the
South fought to defend their own rights to property and self-government.” This shows evidence of deep thought on the
topic. The reader has a clear picture of what will be covered in the paper. It expresses a strong opinion that could be—
and has been—directly challenged.
Specific question you will address:
Thesis Statement:
Due date for thesis statement will be on homework calendar.
Step Four: Collecting Research & Making Research Cards
Refer to pages 62-73 in Writing for Social Studies for specific instructions on how to collect research on 3x5 cards. Below
are examples of what you will be collecting. The research cards may contain quotes or you may paraphrase—make sure
you know the difference!
Sample Cards
Bibliography:
1) Tindall, George. America. New York: W.W.
Norton, 2006
2) “History of Vietnam.” 28 March 2007
http://www.history.com/review
3) …..
4) …..
#1 page 1259
“During 1968 Lyndon Johnson grew increasingly
embittered and isolated. He suffered from
depression and bouts of paranoia. It had become
painfully evident that the Vietnam War was a
never-ending stalemate that was fragmenting the
nation and undermining the Great Society
programs”
Quote,
paraphrase,
or
specific
facts
you
will
use
Appropriate Sources for Scholarly Research
Internet sites, encyclopedias, and textbooks are fine for preliminary research (i.e. clarifying your research topic and
narrowing in on a thesis) but they are not appropriate sources for scholarly research. You must actually crack the covers
of real books. You must also incorporate primary sources. Your paper must be more than just a collection of
interpretations and conclusions gleaned from secondary sources. You also must limit your contact with secondary
sources to the more scholarly books, in other words, sources written by historians. Guidelines for your Works Cited page:
 Need at least THREE primary sources.
 Need at least THREE books authored by historians.
 Avoid internet sites UNLESS it was a site where you located a primary source. Be careful! Make sure
the site is scholarly, such as ones sponsored by universities or museums (.edu or .org). Avoid .com
addresses.
 DO NOT include any textbooks or encyclopedias. You may have used these sources for background or
in the early stages of your investigation, but they should not be presented as evidence in your paper.
You will need to have a bibliography card (or cards) with at least FOUR sources. The majority of your sources should be
books or articles—not internet sites. You will need to have at least fifteen research cards. Make a card for any direct
quotes you intend to use as well as any specific factual information you intend to paraphrase, both of which must be cited
in paper. Due date will be on homework calendar.
Step Five: Outlining the Paper
Before writing your actual paper, you will construct an outline that I will check to make sure you are on the right track. I
will need to see a thesis statement at the top, then a breakdown of each body paragraph – with a topic sentence and list
of facts/evidence/research (bullets ok) for each point. Type it up. Remember that this will be a 5-6 page paper so it
should be more than just a 5 paragraph essay. It is okay if you have three main points like usual, but you’ll need to break
them into sub points so you have a couple of body paragraphs – with a slightly different focus – for each point. You can
also have two paragraphs of introduction, building to a single thesis (will be explained in class). Due date will be on
homework calendar.
Step Six: Writing the Paper
Your paper must be written according to the following criteria:
 5-6 typed, double spaced pages using Times New Roman font of 11 or 12.
 Do not make a separate cover sheet or use a plastic folder
 You will be given a rubric on how the paper will be graded that should be stapled to the front of the paper
 Follow MLA format exactly, including the proper heading, proper parenthetical citations (not footnotes!) and a
correctly formatted Works Cited page
 Only use direct quotes if the person who said it was an important person at the time OR if what was said was put
especially beautifully. Otherwise, just paraphrase – and make sure to still cite.
 Hand in one hard-copy of the paper and submit one electronic copy of the paper to turnitin.com
 Deadline will be on homework calendar and as always, late work is not accepted, with the exception of the oneday late oops pass
 Follow the formatting exactly of the example paper in Writing for the Social Studies on pages 37-51
Name: __________________________
Prewriting Activities
1. Circle the people whose statements you would want to directly quote in your paper:
Thomas Bailey, author of American Pageant
David McCulloch, historian who wrote 1776
Rosa Parks, civil rights activist
Mahatma Gandhia, Indian freedom activist
John Kennedy, President of the United States
Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
2. If you read in a book that 136,727,084 tons of bombs were dropped on Indo China by the US during the Vietnam War,
would you directly quote that or paraphrase that?
3. Do facts and statistics you paraphrase have to be cited in parentheses like quotes do?
4. Which of the following parenthetical citations is done correctly? Circle it.
The United States dropped 136,727,084 tons of bombs on Vietnam during the war. (Bailey American Pageant)
The United States dropped 136,727,084 tons of bombs on Vietnam during the war. (Bailey 876)
The United States dropped 136,727,084 tons of bombs on Vietnam during the war (Bailey pg 876).
The United States dropped 136,727,084 tons of bombs on Vietnam during the war (Bailey 876).
5. What are some primary sources you could use from your time period?
6. Are excerpts or quotes from famous people or others who lived in a historical time period considered primary sources if
they appear inside or quoted by historians writing books on those eras?
Possible Research Questions
Only one student per class will be permitted to select each topic. If you do not see something on this list that intrigues you
and want to propose an alternative topic, just come see me.
1. Were the American colonists justified in declaring independence from Great Britain?
2. Was the American Revolution England’s “Vietnam”?
3. Some have compared the situation of England during the Revolution to that of the Union in the Civil War. Both had
larger populations, more established governments, better economies, navies, superior industrial technology, etc. And yet,
England lost the war and permitted the colonists to secede while the Union won their campaign to force the seceded
south back into the union. Why the difference? Why did England fail while the Union succeeded – or why did the
colonists secede while Confederates failed?
4. Was the War of 1812 justified?
5. Was Andrew Jackson’s opinion correct about the Bank of the United States?
6. Was the United States justified in fighting the Mexican-American War?
7. An intense power struggle between President Andrew Johnson and the Congress crippled efforts to reconstruct the
Union after the Civil War; which side of this struggle was right, and why?
8. Was Reconstruction (1865-1877) a complete failure?
9. Was Cornelius Vanderbilt a “Robber Baron” or “Captain of Industry”?
10. Was John D. Rockefeller a “Robber Baron” or “Captain of Industry”?
11. Was J.P. Morgan a “Robber Baron” or “Captain of Industry”?
12. Was the United States justified in declaring war on Spain in 1898?
13. Was the decision to keep the Philippines as a formal colony after the Spanish-American War correct?
14. Many Americans consider Teddy Roosevelt to be one of our greatest Presidents, but some of his foreign policies
could be perceived as acting like an international bully. Were Teddy Roosevelt’s foreign policies positive and justified or
negative and unjustified? Consider the policies’ impacts both on the US and on the foreign countries they involved.
15. To what degree did the Progressive Movement right the wrongs of the Gilded Age?
16. Should the United States have entered WWI?
17. Who should take most of the blame for the failure of the Senate to ratify the Treaty of Versailles?
18. History has vilified President Herbert Hoover due to the onset of the Great Depression during his term and the way he
handled it. Does he deserve this?
19. Franklin Roosevelt once said that Huey Long was one of the most dangerous men in America. In your opinion, was
that true? Why might Roosevelt have believed this about Long?
20. How did the invention and widespread use of the automobile change American society, economy, and culture?
21. Was the United States justified in dropping atomic bombs on Japan in 1945?
22. Was the decision to intervene in the Korean Civil War in 1950 correct?
23. Why did the movement to attain equal civil rights for African-Americans finally succeed in the 1950s and 1960s, after
failing to really get anywhere in the previous one hundred years?
24. In light of centuries of slavery and discrimination, are racial affirmative action programs justified today?
25. In the 1950s and ‘60s, some parents were afraid of the burgeoning rock ‘n roll music movement, calling it the ‘devil’s
music.’ Argue whether the rock ‘n roll movement was positive or negative for the culture.
26. What was it about Elvis Presley that made him so outrageously popular?
27. Given that he was only in office a few years, is John Kennedy’s place on most top ten lists of Presidents justified?
28. Was the Warren Court’s expansion of criminal rights in the 1960s a correct interpretation of the Constitution? Was it
good for American society, law and order, alleged criminals/police/victims?
29. Could the hippies and flower children of the 1960s be considered just another wave of the reform, awakening, and
utopian impulses Americans have experienced throughout history? Compare to the Great Awakenings, antebellum
reform movements, and utopian communities.
30. Was the United States correct in intervening in Vietnam?
31. Why did the United States lose the Vietnam War? Does President Lyndon Johnson deserve to be blamed for the
Vietnam War? If not, who/what should be?
32. In the wake of Watergate, history has vilified President Richard Nixon. Does he deserve this?
33. Was the feminist movement of the 1970s positive or negative in its effects both for women and for the whole society?
34. Ronald Reagan’s economic policies were said by some to only benefit the rich. Analyze his economic policies and
argue whether or not they were beneficial to just the rich or the American people as a whole.
35. How much of the blame for the Iran-Contra affair lies with President Reagan?
36. Did Bill Clinton deserve to be impeached?
37. Is NASA a waste of money?
38. Are great Presidents effective because of certain traits they possess, or because of the times in which they are
President, or both? Identify what makes a President great, using historical examples to prove your points.
39. Which book in American history was the most influential and why?
40. Were the Cold War foreign policies of the United States responsible for ending that conflict and causing the demise of
the USSR? Specifically which policies or actions brought about those results? Explain.
Person whose paper you are editing: _____________________________ Your Name: ___________________________
Research Paper Peer Editing Form
Formatting: check the heading, the title, and the page numbers (last name and number in upper right corners) and
make sure it’s MLA format.
Is there a strong opening, perhaps utilizing one of our techniques?
Does he have 1-2 paragraphs of background information establishing the historical context of the paper?
Check the thesis.
 Is it 1 sentence?
 Does it contain a strong argument?
 Are 3 points listed?
 Is it underlined?
After the thesis, the first sentence of the next paragraph should be a supporting topic sentence backing up the
first point made in the thesis. IT SHOULD NOT BE MORE BACKGROUND INFO. Double check!!
Topic sentences of all the body paragraphs: underline them.
 Do they go in the order of the points in the thesis?
 Do they have the same strong argument as the thesis?
 Do they specify the exact point addressed in that paragraph?
Make sure that if there are two paragraphs backing up the same point, they both have proper topic sentences and
a slightly different but related focus. i.e. If the point he is trying to improve is that the atomic bomb did devastating
environmental damage, one paragraph and topic sentence could specify the damage done to the land and plant
life and the other paragraph the damage done to the water and animal life (or something like that)
Look inside the body paragraphs.
 Make sure all the facts included are relevant; lightly cross out any that aren’t relevant, especially if the
paragraph is quite long.
 Are there any facts missing that should be included? Make a note of that on the paper.
 Are all the facts ANALYZED within the body paragraph too?
 Are they summarized at the end?
Transitions: underline them at the end of every body paragraph, making sure they are there.
Make sure none of the paragraphs are longer than 1 page.
Parenthetical citations in the body paragraphs:
 Are there citations for all the specific facts paraphrased or all the direct quotes used?
 Are the citations in the proper format with author and page number, then close parentheses and period?
Quoting: Are only important people being directly quoted, while everything else is paraphrased?
Are there any quotes longer than 4 lines? These should be set off in block quotes. Make a note if they aren’t.
Scan the paper for any rule violations:
 First or second person voice?
 Contractions?
Check the paper for spelling/grammar issues or typos. Circle any that you find.
Conclusion:
 Does it begin with a restated thesis?
 Does it contain several profound thoughts on the significance of the paper, perhaps using a technique?
Length: is it at least 5 full pages but not more than 6 full pages? If too short or too long, note some things that
could be added or removed.
Works Cited Page:
 Is it in the proper format?
 Are the entries alphabetized by author’s last name?
 Are there encyclopedias listed or things like American Presidents A-Z, American Wars A-Z? Cross them
out.
Are there at least 3 primary sources listed? Star and count them.
Are there at least 3 secondary sources by historians listed? Circle and count them.
Are all the entries on the works cited page ACTUALLY CITED IN THE PAPER? Check! Make a note of any that
are listed but not used.