****FORMATTING
To be successful, the research paper must include the above elements as discussed in the prompt. As this is a thesis-driven paper (you are presenting an “argument” to “prove” the thesis true) and all content, with the exception of some minor historical context if needed, should relate to and provide proof that the thesis is true and accurate. Support paragraphs should include a “claim” (typically the first sentence of each paragraph) which is then “proven” by the content within the paragraph (substantiated by source material and citations). The paper should not provide a narrative history of the event. It should merely be used to prove the thesis true.
You will be graded upon the following aspects within the “research paper” rubric:
•The presentation of a clear introduction and a thesis that “answers” the above research questions. The thesis should be the last sentence of the introductory paragraph
•At least 2-3 paragraphs that provide historical context to “set the stage” for the argument.
•The presence of at least 3 support paragraphs that present a claim. The first sentence of each paragraph should “relate” to the thesis to prove it to be true. Each paragraph requires evidence from sources with citations.
•Sources should not be mentioned or directly quoted within the text. A citation suffices. All sources should thus be “paraphrased” in order to support the claims made and the thesis statements.
•Citations need to be present and in either footnotes, endnotes, or in-text with “Author-Page” formatting. A bibliography must be present.
•Proper grammar, spelling, and a professional tone (no mentions of yourself, opinions, or casual phrasing should be present, as this is an expository essay)
•Usage of scholarly sources (not wikipedia or sources found through casual google searches)
•The paper should support a thesis statement with information gained from research or investigation.
•The paper will not be just a report presenting information, but will be a paper that carefully examines and presents your own historical interpretation of the topic you have chosen and your interpretation of the information you have gathered.
•The paper may include consideration of problems and solutions, define key terms, or refute arguments against your thesis statement.
**Gather information from a variety of sources. Use a minimum of three sources for your paper, and at least one must be a primary source. ◦Examples of primary sources are ones that are used in our discussion forums 2 – 8.
◦They are sources that are contemporary to the times under investigation.
◦An example of a secondary source is our textbook, though the textbook also contains excerpts of primary sources, which you may use as a source in your paper.
**Outline the results of your research and the plan for your paper (you are not required to submit the outline).
**Write the final draft and be sure to cite your work in either APA or Turabian (Chicago Manual of Style). Footnotes are preferred.
