Typed, double spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins
✔ 550-850 words (minimum-maximum) Loss of 20 points if over or under. No fluff!
✔ Correct use of APA 7th edition citation method for Cover Page, book citation, and parenthetical
reference citations
✔ Evaluate and analyze the contents of the books, do not write a book summary or report.
✔ Make clear, by frequent reference to the author(s) of the book, you are presenting the author(s) views,
not yours.
✔ You must utilize textual evidence – ONE BRIEF in-text citation per body paragraph (direct quote
with APA citation at the end). This forces you to return to the work to make sure you are fairly
representing the author’s evidence and arguments.
✔ Third person only and no contractions.
✔ Good organization, syntax, grammar, and spelling are crucial to effective communication and, as such,
are a component of your grade.
Introduction Paragraph
o Give the title the monograph and name of author (full name here with subsequent references to the
family name only for the rest of the paper).
o Identify author’s credentials – profession/importance in field.
o Introduce the topic of the book by summarizing the issue or topic discussed in the book.
o Include the author’s thesis.
Body Paragraphs
o 1st Body Paragraph
▪ Explain the author’s beliefs on what motivated soldiers to fight in the Civil War.
How does the author provide support for his opinion? (Remember you are trying to
convince me you read the entire book.)
▪ Provide textual evidence.
o 2nd Body Paragraph
▪ Explain the author’s use of resources in detail.
What type of primary sources are utilized, AND are they appropriately utilized in the
monograph?
▪ Provide proper nouns (If it is a diary entry, who is it from? If it is a newspaper, what
is the name of that newspaper, etc.)
What type of secondary sources are utilized, and are they appropriately utilized in the
monograph?
▪ Provide proper nouns (Give the title and author of the book/article/etc.)
▪ Provide textual evidence.
o 3rd Body Paragraph
o 3 Explain the similarities and differences between For Causes and Comrades and your JSTOR article
about why men fight in war.
▪ Include brief explanation of similarities and differences
Actions, beliefs, thoughts, families, etc…
▪ Provide textual evidence from the JSTOR article AND the monograph.
Conclusion
o Write a conclusion paragraph that briefly tells the reader what you wrote about in your essay and your
overall findings. A conclusion paragraph provides intellectual closure for the reader. There is some
redundancy in a conclusion paragraph, but it still is essential to provide closure in a skillfully written
essay.
o Make a recommendation about the type of reader likely to enjoy or benefit from For Causes and
Comrades.
