We’re looking for something that is complete and polished, plus includes these essential elements:
Title
A concise summary of your project
Should be descriptive, can also be clever
Introduction
Typically 1-2 paragraphs
Provides an overview of your project (topic, time frame, place, people involved, etc.)
Clearly states your research question AND main argument (aka thesis)
Offers a roadmap outlining what key points are covered
Body Paragraphs
Forms the bulk of your paper
Uses primary and secondary sources to explore a few key points
Incorporates specific details and examples
Might be organized chronologically or thematically (this is a creative choice)
Conclusion
Typically 1-2 paragraphs
Brings the paper full circle by reiterating your main argument and key points
Explains the significance of your research by addressing the question: “why is this important?”
Citations
Required whenever you incorporate ideas, words, research, data, info from someone else
Required for paraphrasing, summarizing, directly quoting
Use Chicago Style footnotes (tutorial here)
Formatting
10 pages, double-spaced
1″ margins all around
12 point font, Times New Roman
Writing divided into proper paragraphs
No extra spaces between paragraphs
Include page numbers
Submitted to Canvas via Turnitin.com
I have included a sample paper. Feedback from my annotated bibliography related to this project was: See my comments on your pdf for more specific feedback. Two big things to think about:
1) Be more specific with your writing. Give details and examples so that the reader can fully follow along.
2) You included 2 book reviews in your secondary sources section. It’s better to go directly to the source. The actual book (rather than a review of the book) will give you more info and details about the historical context.
Feedback from my prospectus paper regarding this topic: Sameya — overall, this is looking good.
HIV/AIDS is an interesting topic. Glad to see that you’ve done some preliminary research and have a sense of available sources. You mention archival materials, oral history interviews, and documentary films. I’m curious what you’re talking about here. UMN has a massive collection related to the history of HIV/AIDS at Anderson Library. If that’s something you’re interested in, come chat with me and I can say more.
Your question about public health responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic is interesting and appropriate. Nice work.
Keep in mind that there wasn’t a single, unified response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Sure, some people worked together. But that didn’t include everyone in the US. There was HUGE conflict, debate, and fierce disagreement about what was best. All to say: avoid the phrase “how the US responded to this crisis.” The US is such a massive category and that phrasing implies a level of harmony that simply did not exist. Be really specific about WHO you’re talking about when it comes to collaboration.
Just a friendly reminder that your paper must connect to “environment” in some way. It’s up to you to define that within your paper, but keep in mind that we’ll be looking for that component in your draft.
Please take into consideration all of this feedback
