Requirements:
o 8-10 pages
▪ Works Cited (MLA) or Bibliography and title page (Chicago) DO NOT count in page total
▪ 8 full pages
o double spaced, 12 pt font, Times New Roman or similar
o 1 inch margins
o The topic for the paper is listed below. You should make a cogent, persuasive argument to prove your
thesis statement. I strongly encourage you to avoid topics to which you are emotionally attached. Good
history papers are well-researched and largely devoid of emotion and bias.
o Cite all sources using MLA format or Chicago Manual of Style. Either is acceptable, but should be an
appropriate, correct usage of the selected style.
o You must use in-text citations. Remember – when you paraphrase, you must cite. When you quote, you must cite. When you use someone else’s ideas in any form, you must cite. It is far, far better to over-cite
than to under-cite. Refer the plagiarism section on the syllabus. Also – if you quote without quotation
marks, but you still cite (in-text) – that is still plagiarism. You must use quotation marks any time you
directly quote another source. All papers will be checked with plagiarism checking software.
o Grammar, spelling, and standard writing conventions will be part of your grade.
o Sources: 5-8 academic sources. You must use at least two (2) books. Your textbook is not an acceptable
source for this paper. Acceptable sources include journal articles and various primary sources.
Paper Topic: History v. Hollywood
o Alexander (2004) is the movie choosen for the topic.
o The essential question to answer in your paper: If one knows nothing about the time period, topic, person,
etc will viewing this movie/tv series help or hinder his/her understanding of the time period, topic, etc?
The answer to this question is your thesis statement is what you are going to prove in your paper, and
therefore your thesis statement.
o To answer this question, you should compare and contrast the actual history of the event(s) as opposed
to Hollywood’s representation of the event(s). What did the writer/director/creators get right? Wrong?
Be detailed!
o The details are important. If the costuming or sets are inaccurate, that is worth noting. The same goes if
they are accurate.
o Determine if the movie/tv show would have been better if it were a more accurate representation.
