World History
“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”
Name:
Leonardo da Vinci
The Black Death Research Paper:
“Ring-a-round the rosie,
A pocket full of posies,
Ashes! Ashes!
We all fall down.”
“What is research, but a blind date with knowledge?”
The Black Death was a “critical juncture” in world history. Its impact was far and
deep. Political, economic and social institutions were not the same after the Black
Death.
Assignment: The focus of this assignment is to get you to be familiar with research
and using those sources in a research paper. To help you in these aims, we have
created a list of effects of the Black Death on Western Europe. You must identify
the THREE most important effects of the Black Death on Western Europe and
explain why in your research paper.
Question: What are the three most important effects of the Black Death on Western
Europe? Why? Choose from the list below.
Effects of Black Death on Western Europe
1. People began to question the Catholic Church
2. 1/3 to 1/2 of the European population died
3. Decreased the power of feudal lords
4. Kings gained more power and formed nation-states
5. Shortage of laborers led to higher wages
6. Jews were blamed for the outbreak and targeted by Europeans
7. Cities became isolated in an attempt to repel the plague
8. People began to express their faith and opinions through artwork
9. Drove some people to become more committed to their religious beliefs
10. Land became worthless; money replaced land as a form of wealth
Research Component: You must include information found through independent
research. You must properly cite the information you take from your research, and
you must include a bibliography. You can only use sources from the NNHS Library
Commons Pathfinder or sources given to you by your teacher.
 Go to the Newton North homepage.
 On the left side of the screen, click on “Library Learning Commons.”
 On the library homepage, click “Today” and then “Pathfinders.”
Guidelines:
1. Standard “five paragraph” format.
A. Introduction should broadly describe some aspect of the Black Plague.
Thesis statement should contain your argument regarding why the three
effects of the Black Plague are the most important on Western Europe.
B. Each body paragraph must have a clear topic sentence.
C. Body paragraphs should include evidence and analysis that support
argument.
D. Conclusion should summarize main points and restate the thesis as well as
place the importance of your topic into a broader historical context – “The
big SO WHAT?” Why should we care about this topic?
2. Quotes and citations.
A. You must have at least 2 quotes in your paper (parenthetical citations).
B. You must have at least 3 in-text citations. Any time you are paraphrasing
information you took from one of your sources, you must cite it. You do not
need to cite “common knowledge” or a topic sentence. The citation should be
placed after the last word of the sentence, but before the period. The citation
is the same format as for a quote (author’s last name #).
2. Length.
A. 3 – 4 pages, 12 pt. font, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman, double-spaced.
4. Note-taking/Research.
A. All notes will be taken on note cards, with source information topic on top
of note card. 25 – 35 note cards in all. You may do this on EasyBib or some
other application, so you don’t have to worry about losing your notecards.
B. You can only research information through the Pathfinder, Library
databases and the sources given to you.
5. Works Cited.
A. MLA citation bibliography needed. Use Easy Bib to create a bibliography.
B. MUST HAVE THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THE FOLLOWING SOURCES:
i. Magazine/journal article (online library database).
ii. Printed book.
iii. One encyclopedia article (online or print) – NO WIKIPEDIA*.
iv. A legitimate website.
6. Parenthetical Citations (author’s last name #).
Trying to pass off someone else’s words and work as your own is called plagiarism
and is illegal. It will not be tolerated and the most extreme penalties will apply. If it
is found that you have plagiarized your paper, the first penalty will be a zero on your
thesis paper. No excuses will be tolerated.
Outline for Paper:
Introduction:
“Set the stage” for the paper. Introduce the reader to the Black Death, and begin to
introduce the argument you are going to make by introducing your three main
reasons (thesis).
Body Paragraphs:
Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that reflects the purpose of the
paragraph and how it helps to prove your thesis.
You should have several pieces of evidence – it should be specific, historical
evidence. When you include information directly from your research, put the
proper citation at the end of the sentence.
Explain how the evidence proves your topic sentence and thesis statement. This is
your analysis.
Conclusion:
Restate your thesis statement and main arguments. Remind the reader what you
just proved. Relate your argument to a broader historical context. In other words,
why should we care? Why is this important?
Dates With Destiny
Check-Ins
Outline and notecards
Bibliography
Final Draft
Due Dates
Research Note Taking Chart
Step 1: In the space below, copy the “Source Citation” of any source you are going to
take notes on. Writing it out here will help you learn the proper format. Number
each source so you can refer to it easily in your notes.
Example:
#1: Bell, Stewart. The Boston Red Sox. New York: Harper Collins, 2005.
Copy ALL your “Source Citations” Here and Number Them:
Step Two: Use the chart below to take notes. Remember, only take notes that will
help you answer your research question. Record the source number (from the list
above) and the topic of the specific notes you take. For example, a topic could be
“Source of the Black Death.” If the article covers more than one topic, start a new
section of notes when the topic changes. Draw a horizontal line through the chart
when your topic changes. This will help keep your notes organized.
Source #:
Topic Of These Notes:
Notes:
Source #:
Topic of These Notes:
Notes:
Parenthetical Citations:
- WHEN TO USE:
o When you make reference to someone else’s idea
 Through a direct quotation – Ex. “I love pugs” (Cho 55).
 By paraphrasing the idea - Ex. The newest and largest beaver remains
have been found in Oregon (Cho 105).
 (Cho is author’s last name and 55 is the page number. Note that there
is no comma between author’s last name and page number and that
the period goes after the citation!).
 If you are rephrasing something that is more than a couple of
sentences long, cite at the end of the passage. You do not need to use
a parenthetical reference for every sentence if it comes from the
source and page.
o Statistics that are not common knowledge require a citation. Ex. In 1976,
more baby boys were named Albert than any other name (Cho 555). This
little known statistic would require a citation. (Untrue statistic. Boo-hoo.)
o Anything information that is/can be common knowledge does not
need a citation.
 Anything any educated individual would know, or could find
on any source on the internet.
 EX: Michelangelo was a sculptor and painter during the
Italian Renaissance. DO NOT NEED TO CITE.
 He was born in Italy. DO NOT NEED TO CITE.
-
WHY USE IT?
o To direct the reader to the appropriate source in your works cited (in
case they take a special interest in that particular subject, or incase
they want to verify the source).
o To avoid plagiarism (copying of another’s work).
o IF YOU PIRST PROVED/ARGUED SOMETHING GROUND BREAKING,
WOULDN’T YOU WANT CREDIT FOR IT??
-
HOW TO USE:
o Using ( ) at the end of the sentence(s) that needs citing.
o Place the author’s last name (if it’s available – if not, use title of the
article, book, etc.) and the page number the information can be found.
o EX: Michelangelo’s family changed the family surname from Canossa
to Buonnarati (Sydmons 89).
Work Cited Format
Basic Rules
1. Begin your Works Cited page on a separate page. Label it Works Cited.
2. Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries.
3. Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations.
4. Alphabetize all sources. Do not group them by Medium of Publication. Do not number.
5. Use italics (instead of underlining) for titles of larger works (books, magazines)
and quotation marks for titles of shorter works (poems, articles).
How To Do A Works Cited
Book with one author or editor:
Bell, Stewart. The Boston Red Sox. New York: Harper Collins, 2005.
Baile, David, ed. Cultures of the Koreans. New York: Schocken, 2007.
Book with two authors or editors:
Bohlman, Herbert M., and Mary Jane Dundas. The Legal, Ethical and International
Environment of Business. 5th ed. Cincinnati, OH: West, 2002.
Cohen, Andrew and John Granatstein, eds. Trudeau’s Shadow: The Life and Legacy Of
Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Toronto: Random, 1998.
Book with no author or editor stated:
Maclean’s Canada’s Century: An Illustrated History of the People and Events That
Shaped Our Identity. Toronto: Key, 1999.
Work in an anthology, a collection by several authors with one or more editors
Fox, Charles James. “Liberty Is Order, Liberty Is Strength.” What Is a Man? 3,000
Years of Wisdom on the Art of Manly Virtue. Ed. Waller R. Newell. New York:
Harper, 2001, 306-307.
Wilcox, Robert K. “Flying Blind.” Danger: True Stories of Trouble and Survival. Ed.
James O”Reilly, Larry Habegger, and Sean O”Reilly. San Francisco: Travellers,
1999. 211-22.
Article in an encyclopedia with no author stated and with author stated:
“Nazi Party.” New Encyclopedia Britannica. 1997 ed.
Kibby, Michael W. “Dyslexia.” World Book Encyclopedia. 2000 ed.
Article in a magazine, journal, newspaper with no author and author stated:
“100 Years of Dust and Glory.” Popular Mechanics Sept. 2001: 70-75.
Cohen, Stephen S., and J. Bradford DeLong. “Shaken and Stirred.” Atlantic Monthly
Jan.-Feb. 2005: 112.
Film, Movie:
Short forms may be used, e.g. dir. (directed by), prod. (produced by), writ. (written
by). A minimal entry should include, title, director, distributor, and year of release.
May add other information as deemed pertinent between the tile and the
distributor. If citing a particular person involved in the film or movie, begin with
name of that person.
Depp, Johnny, perf. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Dir. Tim Burton. Based on
book by Roald Dahl. Warner, 2005.
Titanic. Dir., writ., prod., ed. James Cameron. Prod. Jon Landau. Twentieth Century
Fox and Paramount, 1997.
Government Document:
Author (if identified). Name of the Government. Name of the Agency. Name of any
subdivisions. Title. Number of the Congress, number of the Session (if
congressional document). Place: GPO, Year.
United States. National Council on Disability. Carrying on the Good Fight- Summary
Paper from Think Tank 2000- Advancing Civil Rights. Washington: GPO, 2000.
Internet:
Author’s name (if available). Name of Site. Date of Posting/Revision. Name of
institution/organization affiliated with the site (sometimes found in copyright
statements). Date you accessed the site.
“Childcare Industry Should Welcome Men.” BBC News Online: Education. 7 June
2003. 10 Oct. 2005
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/education/2971310.stm>.
Schulz, Charles. “Peanuts Collection - Snoopy Cuddling Woodstock.” Cartoon.
Art.com. 25 Apr. 2004 <http://www.art.com/asp/sp.asp?PD=10037710>.
Email:
Author. “Title of the message (if any).” Email to person’s name. Date of the mess
Michael Roth. “New Project Info.” Email to Sam Baker. 5 August 2008.
Interview:
Neilsen, Jerry. E-Email interview. 28 Apr. 2006.
Onglin, Hellmut. Telephone interview. 24 July 2006.
Lecture:
Bradley, Vicki. “Marriage.” Agnes Arnold Hall, U of Houston. 15 Mar. 2003.
An Editorial:
Wilson-Smith, Anthony. “He Must Go.” Editorial. Maclean’s. 26 Aug. 2002: 4.
Letter to the Editor:
Kolbert, Elizabeth. “Six Billion Short.” Letter. New Yorker 13 Jan. 2003: 33-37.
Woods, Brede. Letter. Newsweek 23 Sept. 2002: 16.
Map or Chart:
2004 Andex Chart. Chart. Windsor, ON: Andex, 2004.
Canada. Map. Ottawa: Canadian Geographic, 2003.
“Dallas TX.” Map. 2005 Road Atlas: USA, Canada and Mexico. Greenville, SC:
Michelin, 2005.
Musical Composition:
Beethoven, Luwig van. Fur Elise.
Published Score:
Chopin, Frederic. Mazurka Op. 7, No. 1. New York: Fischer, 1918.
Painting:
Artist’s Name. Title of Work. Year work was created. Institution that houses the
work, City where it is located.
DaVinci, Leonardo. Mona Lisa. 1506. Musee du Louvre, Paris.
Television, Radio:
The CFRB Morning Show. By Ted Woloshyn. CFRB Radio, Torono. 12 Sept. 2003.
“New Threat from Osama?” By Jim Stewart. CBS News. WBEN, Buffalo. 12 Nov.
2002.
I. Introduction
A. Background Information (Who? What? Where? When?)
B. Transition to Thesis Statement
C. Thesis Statement (argument, summary of position you will take in essay)
II. Body ¶ 1
A. Topic Sentence (What you are trying to prove in this ¶ that supports your
thesis)
B. Supporting Details (Give evidence to support your topic sentence)
C. Explain how the supporting details prove your thesis statement.
II. Body ¶ 2
A. Topic Sentence (What you are trying to prove in this ¶ that supports your
thesis)
B. Supporting Details (Give evidence to support your topic sentence)
C. Explain how the supporting details prove your thesis statement.
II. Body ¶ 3
A. Topic Sentence (What you are trying to prove in this ¶ that supports your
thesis)
B. Supporting Details (Give evidence to support your topic sentence)
V. Conclusion
A. Restate Thesis (put it into new words)
B. Summarize Body (DO NOT repeat everything you said or rewrite your intro)
C. Include Insight/ Opinion/Something for the Reader to Think About