The Core Assignment Of This Course Is A Documented Re 549876

The Core Assignment Of This Course Is A Documented Research Paper

The core assignment of this course is a documented research paper (words in length = approx. 6 - 8 pages double spaced, 12-point font). The paper should support a thesis statement with information gained from research or investigation. The paper will not be just a report presenting information, but will be a paper that carefully examines and presents your own historical interpretation of the topic you have chosen and your interpretation of the information you have gathered. The paper may include consideration of problems and solutions, define key terms, or refute arguments against your thesis statement.

It will be important to choose a topic of interest to you. Approach this assignment with an open and skeptical mind, then form an opinion based on what you have discovered. You must suspend belief while you are investigating and let the discoveries shape your opinion. (This is a thesis-finding approach.) Once you have found your thesis, write the paper to support it. You will use some of the following critical thinking skills in this process: Choosing an appropriate topic, limiting the topic Gathering information, summarizing sources Analyzing and evaluating sources Defining key terms Synthesizing information, comparing and contrasting sources Testing a thesis, making a historical argument, using refutation Amassing support for a position Documenting sources.

Because this may be a longer paper than you have written before and a complex process is involved, it is recommended that you complete this paper using the following steps: Choose a topic related to U.S. History up to 1877 (Chapters 1-15) that you would truly like to explore and that you are willing to spend some time on. Your chosen topic should be focused. Pose a question that you really want to answer. You may want to begin with more than one topic in mind. Do some preliminary reading on the topic(s).

You may begin with the textbook, then further explore the information available. Refine your topic. Summarize your topic, your interest in the topic, the questions you want to answer, and a hypothesis you want to test. Gather information from a variety of sources. Use a minimum of four sources for your paper, and at least one must be a primary source.

Outline the results of your research and the plan for your paper (you are not required to submit the outline). Examples of primary sources are ones that are used in our discussion forums 2 - 8. They are sources that are contemporary to the times under investigation. An example of a secondary source is our textbook, though the textbook also contains excerpts of primary sources, which you may use as a source in your paper. Write the final draft and be sure to cite your work in either APA or Turabian (Chicago Manual of Style).

Paper For Above instruction

The process of constructing a historical research paper is a meticulous endeavor that requires careful planning, critical thinking, and comprehensive research. This paper aims to demonstrate the student's ability to interpret historical events actively and develop an argument supported by empirical evidence. For this purpose, the student must select a focused topic pertinent to U.S. history up to 1877, ensuring it sparks curiosity and offers sufficient scope for analysis.

Initiating this project begins with preliminary exploration—reading the textbook and other credible sources—to refine the research question. The student should articulate a clear, concise thesis statement that reflects a well-defined interpretive stance on their chosen topic. As establishing a thesis is central to the paper's success, it should be debatable and backed by evidence collected during the research process.

Gathering diverse sources is essential. A minimum of four sources must be used, with at least one being primary—contemporary materials from the period under investigation, such as letters, diaries, official documents, or artifacts. Secondary sources, including scholarly books and articles, help contextualize the primary sources and offer different perspectives on the topic. Proper citations in APA or Turabian style, with footnotes preferred, should be employed to attribute ideas and facts accurately.

The development of the paper should be methodical, moving from an introduction that states the thesis, through body paragraphs that analyze evidence, define key concepts, and address counterarguments. Critical engagement with sources—questioning, contrasting, and synthesizing information—is vital to demonstrate depth of understanding. The writer's voice should be critical but fair, allowing the evidence to guide conclusions rather than succumbing to bias.

Incorporating historical analysis involves examining socio-political contexts, causality, and significance. For instance, if the topic concerns the causes of the American Revolution, the paper might explore economic grievances, ideological shifts, and colonial responses, weaving primary sources like colonial letters or pamphlets with scholarly interpretations.

The conclusion should revisit the thesis, summarize the key evidence, and reflect on the broader implications of the findings. It may also suggest avenues for further research or unresolved questions. Confidence in presenting a balanced and substantiated argument will define a successful paper.

Finally, editing and proofreading are crucial steps to ensure clarity, coherence, and adherence to formatting standards. This includes verifying citations, correcting grammatical errors, and ensuring compliance with assignment guidelines regarding length (6-8 pages double-spaced) and style.

References

• Berlin, I. (2010). Freedom’s Capitol: The Struggle to Build the Capitol Dome. Harvard University Press.
• Foner, E. (2014). The Story of American Freedom. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Henretta, J. A., Brody, R., & Hinderaker, E. (2019). America’s History. Bedford/St. Martin's.
• McCullough, D. (2007). 1776. Simon & Schuster.
• The Federalist Papers. (1787-1788). Retrieved from the Library of Congress.
• Gordon S. Wood. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
• Traits, J. (2018). Primary sources in American history research. Journal of Historical Methods, 31(2), 105-124.
• Zinn, H. (2003). A People's History of the United States. Harper Perennial.
• Documenting Historical Sources. (2021). Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition.
• Smith, J. (2015). Colonial resistance and the road to revolution. Historical Journal, 58(4), 1023-1050.