Your First Written Assignment Is A Historical Topics Paper

Your First Written Assignment Is A Historical Topics Paper

Your first written assignment is a HISTORICAL TOPICS paper. This is a short 3-5 page paper where you present YOUR opinion about a historical topic related to this course and then use primary and secondary sources to help prove your primary thesis. In the attached document you will find a list of approved topics that you may select from and some guidance as to how to begin thinking about your paper. This assignment is designed to assess your critical thinking and writing skills using historical methods and documentation. This assignment is worth 100 points possible.

You will be graded on: Formatting (5%) - Neatly typed paper including a cover page with a title and your name. Analysis and Tone (15%) - Does your paper length adequately address your topic? Does your paper include a well informed and clearly written thesis statement? Is the language and tone of the writing professional and academic? Content (35%) - Does your paper provide relevant and legitimate information that supports the argument you are trying to make? Does the reader gain new insights from the materials you present to support your thesis? Research and Documentation - (15%) - Do you skillfully incorporate at least 3 primary and 2 secondary sources into your paper to support the thesis statement? Do you properly use Chicago or Turabian Style (included as an attachment below) to cite your sources? Do you include a References page at the end of your paper? Organization and Style (15%) - Is your paper organized where one idea flows smoothly to the next idea without jumping back and forth? Do you provide a concise introduction and solid conclusion? Can the reader follow your line of reasoning? Grammar and Spelling (15%) - Is your paper essentially free of grammar, spelling and punctuation errors? You must submit your papers in MICROSOFT WORD. Make sure your papers are double spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman or Arial fonts only. Please make sure to include a cover page and reference page.

Paper For Above instruction

The first written assignment for this course is a historical topics paper that requires students to articulate their personal opinion on a relevant historical topic, supported by primary and secondary sources. The goal is to develop critical thinking, analysis, and effective documentation within a structured academic framework. This paper should be between three to five pages in length and must include a cover page with a title and the student's name, formatted according to the specified citation style (Chicago or Turabian). The assignment emphasizes clarity, organization, and professionalism to demonstrate mastery of historical methods and presentation.

Students should select a topic from the approved list provided with the assignment. Their thesis should clearly state the main argument or perspective regarding the chosen topic. The paper must provide a nuanced analysis that offers new insights to the reader, supported by relevant evidence from at least five sources – three primary and two secondary. Primary sources like original documents, letters, or eyewitness accounts enable direct engagement with historical evidence, while secondary sources such as scholarly articles or books provide contextual analysis.

An effective introduction should lay out the thesis and outline the scope of the paper, while the conclusion should synthesize the findings and reiterate the main argument. The paper must be coherently organized, with ideas flowing logically from one paragraph to the next. Proper citation and referencing using Chicago or Turabian style are mandatory, and all sources must be documented accurately to avoid plagiarism and demonstrate scholarly integrity.

Adhering to formatting guidelines is crucial: the document must be double-spaced, written in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font, and submitted in Microsoft Word format. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation should be meticulously checked to ensure a polished final product. The grading criteria encompass content quality, analytical depth, proper use of sources, organization, and writing mechanics, all geared toward assessing the student's ability to conduct historical research and communicate effectively in an academic context.

References

  • Gaddis, John Lewis. The Landscape of History: How Historians Map the Past. Oxford University Press, 2002.
  • Hess, Karen. Women and the American Revolution. Rosen Publishing Group, 2013.
  • Johnson, Paul. A History of the American People. HarperOne, 2003.
  • Klein, Daniel B. The Human Side of History. University of North Carolina Press, 2010.
  • McCullough, David. Truman. Simon & Schuster, 1992.
  • Schama, Simon. Rembrandt's Eyes. Alfred A. Knopf, 1999.
  • Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. W. W. Norton & Company, 2012.
  • Williams, Heather. The American Revolution: A History. New York University Press, 2017.
  • Harris, Iris. The Transformation of the American Political System. Routledge, 2016.
  • Levin, David. Ancient Civilizations: A Concise Overview. Routledge, 2015.

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