Writing a Paper in History
43.105
Prof. Carlsmith
Useful Resources
• Paper Checklist
• http://faculty.uml.edu/ccarlsmith/teaching/43.105/paper_checklist.htm
• History Handbook, Chap. 6
• Dartmouth College, “How to Write a History Paper”
• http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/soc_sciences/history.shtm
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Paper & Sources in our course
• Types of Papers
– Summary
• One page
• Condense content
– Analysis
• For primary sources
• Explain significance
– Argument
• Primary & secondary
• Convince the reader
• On midterm/final exam
• Types of Sources
– Primary
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Textual
Visual
Material
Aural (listening)
– Secondary
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Textbook
Wiesner’s introduction
History Channel
Wikipedia
Essential Elements of Any Essay
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Answer the Question
5 W’s
Introduction
Paragraphs
Clarity
Proofreading
Sample Essay #1 (Summary)
Sample Essay #2 (Summary)
During this period providing for the masses was a serous issue.
Mesopotamia was part of the fertile crescent and was a great area to
grow food in. Irrigation systems needed to be built to support these
huge cities. The tigris and euphrates rivers were used to as a secodary
source from which the mesopotamians could work with.
It is very interesting to see that these people were clever enough to choose
the fertile crecent and build amazing water system to support life and
civilization. Since this particular area had sporadic rain fall, new
methods had to be thought of to make the best of what hey had. The
two rivers flowed very fast and the river stirred up the bottom creating
silt. Workers had to deal with regular cleaning of the dikes and had to
rebuild oftain because there was so much build up. Irrigation was a
good method in which big canals and dikes were built. Once the water
had built up and the silt settled clean water was available for use. Also
little canals were dug between fields for a steady supplyof water all year
round.
Other issues arose when it came to making sure everyone got their fair
share. “The first recorded laws regarding property rights in fact did not
concern the rights of land but of water.” Many times there wouldn’t be
enough water for the neighbors. So methods were being worked on so
there was enough for everybody.
….
Sample Essay #3
From the deserts of Mesopotamia to the urban city of Rome, water was
the key to life. Civilizations in the Ancient World used a variety of
legal and technological methods to distribute water in a fair manner.
In Frontinus’ discussion of Rome’s water system ca. 100 AD, he
explained explicitly who had the right to water and how one gained
such a privilege. Frontinus notes that there is both a public water
supply for fountains and baths, and a private water supply for
houses. Anyone who wishes to have water for a private house must
submit an application to the Emperor. Frontinus observes that
various restrictions apply to such a private licence: it cannot be
inherited, the person must maintain the pipe, etc.
Frontinus seems particularly interested in the various ways that some
men have stolen water. For example, he says “I have found larger
valves in position than had been granted” (Wiesner, p. 15) He
describes others who puncture the pipes and insert an unauthorized
pipe.
….