I. TOPIC:

Be certain, first, that the topic interests you. Do not choose a topic merely because you believe it will please me. Next, make sure that historical sources treat the topic with a sufficient amount of detail. Do not embark on a research assignment in which you will be frustrated by a lack of information. Finally, narrow your topic so that it is a realistic project. Topics like "The Principle of Democracy and the War in Iraq ," or "Immigration and Justice," are probably too ambitious. Thinks creatively about how you might limit your current event i.e. a particular aspect, time-frame, or locale of immigration, so that you will still have a semblance of sanity when you finish. Please note: this is not merely a "report" about the current event you've chosen--it must be a discussion about both the current event and the political purpose you've chosen

II. APPROACH

Historical papers typically concentrate on a major question, although providing an argument in the form of a thesis statement is also acceptable. Essentially, you will be exploring and explaining the relationship between the current event and the principle of government you have chosen. For example, you might investigate the political principle of the right to bear arms and how that relates to court efforts to ban handguns, or the link between the constitutional ideal of due process/equal protection and gay marriage, or the right of the government to control naturalization and how that connects to immigration restriction, or the principle of political participation and the presidential election process. As you explore the themes in your paper, you must include several components:

1. A concise, thoughtful summary of the current event and of the political principle to which it is related.

2. A section that considers what the founders--people like Jefferson, Madison , Washington , Hamilton , etc. believed about the principle of government you are exploring. You must reveal their views on the political principle or scholarly interpretations of their views. If you omit the founders' opinions, your paper will not be satisfactory.

3. A section that considers how that political purpose changed or did not change over time--perhaps by choosing one other event in U.S. history that intersected with that same political principle; i.e. if investigating immigration restriction and naturalization, look at the issue as it unfolded in the 1850s or the 1920s.

4. A scholarly analysis of the current event in light of what you learned about the political principle in its historical origins. In other words, if you explored the ideals of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson concerning freedom of speech, how does what they declared help you understand the principle of freedom of speech as it concerns the current even you've chosen?

III. SOURCES:

Since this is a scholarly paper, choose scholarly sources. Avoid works like American Heritage, Time Magazine, and Wikipedia. Though often interesting, such sources do not merit respect in historical circles. Journals like The American Historical Review, The Journal of American History, William and Mary Quarterly, and The Journal of the Early Republic, are often good starting points. Aim to include at least a half-dozen sources in your paper. Incorporate both books and journal articles. You do not have to read every part of each of those sources. Because you will have a narrow question or thesis that will guide your research, you can study only the relevant portions. In beginning your quest, two excellent sources for journal articles are "America: History and Life" and "JSTOR." You can find both under "all databases" on the APU library homepage. (http://www.apu.edu/library/apuresources/onlineresources/).

IV. FORMAT:

A research paper requires you to think critically and creatively about a topic, offering your own perspective on the assigned material. To write a strong and convincing essay, do not merely narrate a series of events, summarize the readings, or recite facts. Your essay should demonstrate that you have analyzed the information, developed an interpretation of it, and can support that interpretation with evidence.

V. STRUCTURE:

An essay requires an introduction, a body, and a conclusion:

A. The INTRODUCTION includes your key question or thesis statement--the one, main point you will attempt to establish. The introduction should make it crystal clear what your interpretation will be throughout the essay. Tell your reader the particular areas you will explore in order to answer your question or prove your thesis, so that your paper will not contain any surprises. Essentially, the introduction is a "map" that will guide the reader through the chief points you will make.

B. In the BODY of the paper you will supply the evidence that "proves" your thesis or "answers" your question. Point out relevant material that influenced your perceptions. What materials have you selected which form the structure of your interpretation? Present your evidence in a clear and logical manner. Since there is not a single "right" answer, your ability to demonstrate logically the reasoning and evidence behind your thesis is very important to the success of your paper. Think of this portion of the paper as constructing a series of statements, supported by evidence, which will convince any reader that your views are "correct."

Remember to explain your ideas and the evidence, not simply state them. Be explicit. Do not force your reader to infer meaning from your writing or to read between the lines. Also, it is much better to examine a fewer number of major themes in sufficient detail, rather than trying to treat a large number of topics superficially.

C. Your CONCLUSION should include a short summary of the main points in the body of your paper. Indicate exactly how and why you have demonstrated the validity of your thesis or why and how you have answered your key question. Sum up strongly, for this is your last chance to convince the reader to accept your point of view.

VI. MECHANICS OF STYLE:

A. Good grammar, spelling, and punctuation are a must in any paper. Errors will weaken your overall presentation.

B. Good organization makes the difference between an excellent paper and a confused series of unconnected ideas. Think carefully about how to arrange most effectively the material used to support your thesis or answer your question, including smooth, logical transition statements between paragraphs.

C. Papers must be typed and double-spaced, with approximately one-inch margins on all sides. Set computers and word processors to conventional spacing and font sizes, 11-13 point fonts. Please, do not try to "fudge" the margins or font size. Please, no folders.

D. Citations: Cite your sources accurately and consistently using either APA or MLA style. There are many websites that can give you a brief tutorial on using these citation methods. See, for example, the "research and citation" link at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

E. Use block quotation format when a quotation requires four or more lines of regular-margin text in your paper. For block quotes use single spacing, omit quotation marks, and indent the left margin four spaces.

F. Avoid using colloquialisms--slang is out of place in an academic paper.

G. Do not use contractions in formal writing. For example, use "do not" for "don't".

H. Use the past tense when writing of events that occurred in the past: Lamkin earned one million dollars golfing. Use the present tense when discussing an author and his or her work: In his autobiography, Lamkin writes that golfing is his life.

I. Avoid the passive voice. Example: "The soldier was imprisoned after the battle." "Was imprisoned" is passive voice. A reader does not know who imprisoned the soldier. You must identify the historical actors; tell your reader who is doing what to whom. In the active voice the example should read, "The victors imprisoned the soldier after the battle." Decrease the passive voice by reducing excessive use of the verb "to be."

J. Employ language that is sensitive to gender. Many words or phrases presume that gender identity is exclusively male. Use "humanity" or "humankind" for "mankind." Avoid generic pronouns like "his" or "him" when not referring to a specific person. For example: "A worker found his opportunities constrained during the Depression," presumes that the worker is male. Use "his or her," or, when possible, make the example plural and therefore gender neutral: "Workers found their opportunities . . ."

K. When omitting part of a quotation use ellipses. Insert a space between each of three ellipsis points in the middle of sentence, and include normal punctuation in other circumstances: "Jackson's use of the veto . . . made the Presidency an equal branch of government. . . . and his innovative campaign methods, . . . made the Presidential image a permanent part of national politics."

REMEMBER! A strong paper reads smoothly so proofread. Also, since we become so familiar with our own writing, we tend to overlook mistakes. Have someone else proofread your paper for errors.

VII. AVOIDING PLAGIARISM

Students often misuse their sources unintentionally. Others do so intentionally. Both are unacceptable. Fundamentally, plagiarism is when you offer the words and ideas of another author as your own. The work of another person, their ideas, interpretations, distinctive phrasing, and exact words, constitute that author's intellectual property. Use of that property without proper citation is, simply, theft. The following list will suggest some forms of writing that will constitute, in the eyes of all instructors, plagiarism:

1. The use of another's writing without proper use of quotation marks. Do not, under any circumstances, copy a direct quotation, of any length, without providing quotation marks (except for block quotations--see IV. E.) and crediting the source of the quotation.

2. The borrowing of a distinctive phrase, the use of an idea, and the paraphrasing of material (a phrase, idea, or quotation) without giving proper credit. Also included in this category is the mere rearrangement of phrases, ideas, or words.

3. The use of another student's work.

Since you will be working with the writing of others, you must learn and follow certain ethical standards concerning the use of reference material. Fortunately, plagiarism is as easy to avoid as it is to commit. The following guidelines should keep you from committing plagiarism inadvertently.

1. When borrowing a direct quote (using the exact words, in the exact order as they appear), always enclose the passage in quotation marks, unless a block quotation, and provide a citation indicating the source of the quotation (see IV. D.).

2. When paraphrasing, present the author's work in your own words, using your own phrasing and style. IMPORTANT: Even when paraphrasing, you MUST provide a citation indicating the source of the borrowed material.

3. When in doubt, cite it.

Plagiarism is a serious matter. Academic dishonesty, including intentional plagiarism, will result in a failing grade for this course and is grounds for dismissal from Azusa Pacific University.