UNITED STATES HISTORY HONORS
1ST SEMESTER RESEARCH PAPER INSTRUCTIONS
MRS. DIRCKS
2010
The focus of the 1st semester term paper will be a study of a significant
event in American history. The time frame is 1600-1900. Your objective will
be to thoroughly explore and critically analyze the event for its historical
significance.
1. The American Scene-Investigate the time period in which the event took
place. What were the problems facing the American people in terms of
domestic and foreign policy?
2. The Key Players-Explore the politicians, activists, leaders, writers
involved in this event. What were their professional, religious, & economic
backgrounds?
3.Event Description-In depth study of actual event and why it occurred.
4.Impact-How does this event impact the United States in terms of
domestic policy and on a global scale? What is the image of the United
States after this event? What changes occurred in American society that
can be attributed directly to this event?
5.Critique-How do historians view this event? What were the key problems
that still remained? What factors influenced the results of this event?
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
1.The paper must be a minimum of 10 typed pages, comic sans 10 only
2.The student will follow the style and format as presented in the Student
Guide to the United States History Research Paper that will be distributed
to students and discussed in class. The student should be familiar with the
rules, guides, and suggestions that are contained in the Guide. Failure to
follow instructions will result in an unacceptable paper.
3.The paper must be typed, double spaced.
4.ALL information must be properly documented as discussed in class and
explained in the guide. As a rule, items taken “word for word” or “phrase for
phrase” must be quoted and cited immediately at the end of the sentence..
Ideas taken but then paraphrased in your own words still must be cited.
However, this citation can come at the end of the sentences created from
the author’s ideas.
5.Utilize a minimum of 7 sources
*one must be a historical journal or magazine
(written by historians for historians)—
EX: American Heritage, The Historian etc.
*minimum of 2 primary sources
Each primary source must be cited at least 3x EACH
NO GENERAL ENCYLOPEDIAS (print or electronic)
ALL INTERNET SOURCES MUST BE PRINTED
AND TURNED IN TO THE INSTRUCTOR FOR APPROVAL PRIOR
TO USE.
*MAXIMUM OF 1 specialized reference (ex: American Decades)
ALL SEVEN SOURCES SHOULD BE USED WHEN CITING INFORMATION.
6.Paper must be submitted in a pocket folder as instructed.
7.The paper will be graded on how completely and clearly the topic is
presented, in addition to quality of style and format. Improper
documentation or a lack of documentation are grounds for failure. The final
copy is worth 175 points.
8.The paper is due: Weds. 11/17. One letter grade will be deducted for
every day the paper is turned in late. ABSENCE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE
FOR NOT HAVING THE PAPER IN ON TIME. The student assumes full
responsibility for getting the paper to the teacher. DO NOT put the paper
in my mail tray or leave it with office personnel. Before turning it in, make
an extra copy of it to keep with you.
9.Sources and citations are checked. All reference materials, magazines,
database info, internet sources and newspaper articles should be copied and
submitted with the final paper. Students may be asked to submit books if
the teacher is unable to locate them. Failure to bring in sources will result
in an incomplete grade until the sources are brought in.
As one of the objectives of this assignment is to educate students in the
process of research and writing, completing the process steps is very
important. Each step described below must be completed satisfactorily
before credit will be given for any subsequent step. All steps must be
completed and approved by the teacher before the final copy is accepted.
IMPORTANT DUE DATES:
Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Due to the extended nature
of this assignment, an absence the day prior to a due date does not change
the expectation of having the assignment completed on time.
1.TOPIC SELECTION: Monday, 9/13
***using e-mail or voice mail, please send me your top 3 choices for a
topic. Start time—6:30 a.m.; please put USH paper topic in the
subject section of the e-mail. Send to pam.dircks@d128.org
On Weds. 9/15 you will be notified as to your final topic.
2.BACKGROUND READING (20 POINTS): The worksheet distributed in
class is due Fri. 9/17.
3.SOURCE CARDS (10 points): At least 7 index cards with bibliographic
information about each source will be check on Weds. 9/22.
Internet sources will need to be printed out and handed in stapled to the
notecard that has all the bibliographic info on it placed in proper form.
4.WORKSHEET CHECK: At least 3 “Research Paper Notes Worksheet”
containing research information will be checked for 10 points on Wednesday,
9/29(3 full pages or 6 ½ filled pages)
5. WORKSHEET CHECK: At least 6 “Research Paper Notes Worksheet”
containing research information will be checked for 10 points on Wednesday,
10/6(6 full pages or 12-- ½ filled pages)
6 WORKSHEET CHECK: At least 9 “Research Paper Notes Worksheet”
containing research information will be checked for 10 points on *Thursday*,
10/14 (9 full pages or 18- ½ filled pages)
7. WORKSHEET CHECK: At least 12 “Research Paper Notes Worksheet”
containing research information will be checked for 10 points on Wednesday,
10/20(12 full pages or 24—1/2 filled pages)
8.OUTLINE WITH THESIS STATEMENT (20 points): Typed and in the
format as discussed in class. Intro paragraph is required. Thesis should be
at the end of the intro paragraph. Outline should be a minimum of 2 typed
pages. In text documentation is needed for each entry on the outline.
Due on Wednesday, 10/21.
9.ROUGH DRAFT: This must be typed and is worth 30 points. It should
meet the minimum page requirements (10 pages) and minimum source
requirements and should also include complete in text documentation. In
class we will proofread each other’s papers on Wednesday 11/10
You will also be expected to turn your rough draft into www.turnitin.com
by Tuesday, 11/9 at midnight.
FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF 15 POINTS.
USE THE FOLLOWING CLASS ID AND PASSWORD
Honors US History 4
3395943 password: dircks
Honors US History 7
3395954 password: dircks
10.FINAL COPY IS DUE WEDNESDAY, November 17th
**Points will be deducted for any progress steps submitted late. Steps
turned in one day late will be given half credit; after 1 day—1 point only.
**any sources added after 9/22 must be approved. Create a source card for
these additional sources and include them with the next step to be turned in.
REFER TO THE RESEARCH GUIDE FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Additional copies of the “research paper notes worksheets will be handed
out in class. A copy is available on line on my teacher website.
1st semester paper topic list
1. Virginia Colony founded in Jamestown 1607
2. Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia 1676
3. 1st Great Awakening
4. French and Indian War
5. Boston Massacre
6. Boston Tea Party
7. Publication of “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine
8. Whiskey Rebellion
9. Shay’s Rebellion
10. Revolution of 1800
11. Louisiana Purchase
12. 2nd War for Independence
13. Hartford Convention
14. Spanish cede Florida to United States
15. Development of the Erie Canal
16. Passage of Missouri Compromise
17. Corrupt Bargain 1824
18. Passage of the Tariff of Abominations
19. Webster-Hayne Debate 1829-1830
20. Trail of Tears
21. Black Hawk War of 1832
22. Texas Declares Independence from Mexico
23. Invention of the Cotton Gin
24. 2nd Great Awakening
25. Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention
26. Slave Rebellions 1822/1831
27. Publication of the “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”
28 Mexican War 1846-48
29 Oregon Fever
30.publication of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”
31. Development of the Republican Party 1860
32. California Gold Rush
33. Compromise of 1850 passed
34. Establishment of the Freedmen’s Bureau
35. Compromise of 1877
36. Congressional authorization of the Transcontinental RR
37. Development of the Populist Party
38. Haymarket Square Bombing
39. Development of the Knights of Labor and American Federation of Labor
40. Founding of NAAACP
41. Sullivan builds 1st skyscraper in Chicago
42. Women’s Christian Temperance Union organized
43. Dawes Severalty Act passed 1887
44. Battle of Little Big Horn
45. Turner publishes “The Significance of the Frontier in American History”
46. Pullman Strike 1894
47. Cross of Gold Speech 1896
48. Passage of Interstate Commerce Act