Research paper (50%). You will use primary and secondary source research to write a paper that is at least ten pages long. This assignment is due on May 14 by 3:00 PM.
1. Start with an introductory paragraph. Its first sentence should be specific to your topic and draw the reader in (good options include a brief anecdote, a quote, etc.). From there, include just enough background to give your reader necessary context (this is where you’ll use secondary sources, probably). Finally, the last sentence of your intro paragraph should be your argumentative thesis
Most papers will then require a paragraph of basic background information. This information should not be vague and huge but instead specific to your topic.
Now you’ll turn to your argumentative topic sentences. Each paragraph should begin with an argumentative topic sentence and then include the primary source evidence (and secondary when necessary) to prove that argument.
4. A concluding paragraph. This is always more difficult than you’d expect to write. It shouldn’t just recap your paper, but it should not just open up entirely new fields for discussion, either. Instead, it should do a little recapping, a little consideration of the larger significance of your topic, and, perhaps, a bit of musing about its larger importance.
AVOID PASSIVE VOICE. This is one of the most common problems with history writing (undergraduate, graduate, and professional). Using passive constructions lengthens sentences unnecessarily and often renders them confusing. In addition, passives remove “agency”–human action–from history, which is supposed to be a record of human action. Government and corporate documents, especially those addressing controversial issues, often use the passive tense and thus avoid assigning responsibility to anyone. (Example: “A decision was made to shred the documents.” Note: adding “by President Nixon” to this sentence does not make it any less passive!!!) Remember that a good scholar addresses controversy instead of avoiding it.
CHICAGO STYLE CITATIONS USING FOOTNOTES OR ENDNOTES
PAPER SHOULD BE ON THE USS PANAY precisely what events occured when the panay was attacked, outcomes, reperations the japanese faced, and more. Attached is a draft of my paper and it was absolutely terrible according to my professor. They told me to completely toss it in the trash. PRIMARY SOURCES ARE A MUST USE!! AND SECONDARY SOURCES! But the main focus should be primary sources. and multiple paragraphs can be okay doesn’t need to be just 5. If needed I can provide some primary sources.
