GUIDELINES FOR THE FIRST PAPER ASSIGNMENT

The following directions are intended to assist you in preparing your paper for this course.  Please make sure to talk with your GSI about your paper if you have any questions, or come talk to me. 

The first step is selecting a topic.  We have already given you three possible assignments.  Please read through each before selecting one.  The topics suggested below are geared to the preparation of short essays, not major research papers, and are in part based on the assigned reading for the course.  They propose ways in which you may wish to analyze a particular subject or theme.  Whatever subject you choose, make sure your essay is not just descriptive but based on analysis.  Your paper should be organized around a central argument, or thesis, and be oriented toward convincing the reader of the paper that your thesis is correct.  You should first present your argument in your introduction, and restate it in your conclusion. 

I strongly suggest that you consider developing at least one outline before actually writing your paper.  This will allow you to organize your thoughts more systematically, enabling you to ensure that you marshall the evidence needed to prove your central argument.  Outlines also help to combat the “blank screen” problem, the feeling of helplessness that often confronts us when we sit down to write.  The more detailed your outline is, the easier it should be to write your paper.  I also suggest writing a first draft and then reviewing it before submitting the finalized essay.  Staying up all night to write the paper and hand it in the next day is not a recipe for success, as I can tell you from personal experience.  Don’t hesitate to show the rough draft to people who will offer you supportive but critical feedback. 

The basic format requirements for the paper should be followed closely.  The paper should be roughly five to seven pages in length, and must be typed and double-spaced (hand written papers are not acceptable).  Significantly longer papers are justified only if the length reflects greater content, not wordiness or disorganization. Use references not only to indicate the source of direct quotations, but also to indicate where you got basic ideas or factual information.  References should follow the model your GSI recommends:  either  with a number in the text referring to the note, either at the bottom of the page or on a separate endnote page at the end of the paper; or the parenthetical style, with the name of the source in parentheses in the text following the referenced material. If you use this latter style you should provide a bibliography. 

Do not plagiarize.  You do not need to cite common knowledge (Columbus landed in 1492), but you do need to cite any other information (opinions, statistics, assertions) you read, even if you paraphrase the information.  When you paraphrase, be clear about which ideas are your own and which ideas are from the author from whom you are paraphrasing.  Most plagiarism occurs unintentionally because writers do not sufficiently cite, or unknowingly use the same phrases of the author from whom they are paraphrasing.  Check out these websites to make sure you understand how to properly cite and paraphrase: http://www.reshall.berkeley.edu/academics/resources/plagiarism/ and http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html.

In evaluating your papers we will consider both the quality of your historical analysis and your writing style.  Writing style is extremely important:  if you cannot express your thoughts effectively they have less impact.  Please write as clearly and concisely as possible, using simple, direct sentences. Please also make sure you obey grammatical conventions.  One good way of judging your writing quality, in my experience, is to read a paper aloud.  If it reads well, it’s usually written well. 

Good luck in writing your paper, and contact me or your GSI if you have any questions.  Papers are due in section the week of September 27.  Please submit a paper copy; submitting a paper via email attachment is acceptable only if your GSI has agreed to this in advance.

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