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Why are you writing a paper for your class? One reason you are writing a paper for this course is that I believe students who write about history tend to remember what they've thought about, analyzed in detail, and presented coherently on the printed page. Writing is a form of thinking. By crafting a paper, you will have to think carefully about evidence and arguments as well as presentation.You will have to use your imagination but also be a cautious evaluator of what other people have written or said. These are useful skills which will serve you well in your other classes at Florida State but, more importantly, they will serve you well in any future endeavor you may undertake. |
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Directions: How to Begin: In any writing project, the name of the game is to be focussed and well organized . Since the communication of ideas is every bit as important as the ideas themselves, your grade will be weighted to reflect your competence in three areas: 1) Style --How well do you communicate your ideas? Do you use complete sentences? Proper syntax and paragraph structure? Spelling? Basics: Here are some basics to be sure to remember: Topic : Create a paper that addresses the questions provided. Be sure to read the whole question at least twice. This will require you to come up with a theme (also known as a thesis or main topic), which is supported with evidence taken from the assigned sources. The goal is to create a well written argumentative essay. Grading: You'll be graded in two main areas: Content and Mechanics. Content (Argument & Evidence): Your paper must use sources and construct a viable, believable argument. A thesis should be something that is at least debatable by intelligent people (no one would choose to argue that the world was flat anymore, for example; test your argument to see if someone would take a different point of view.) You must use evidence from the sources to support your thesis. An argument without evidence is like a world-class debater who insists on speaking in nursery rhymes: he may have a lot to say, but no one will believe he really means it. Mechanics (Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation): You can have a wonderful argument and great evidence to support it, but without mechanics, your presentation will fail. To go back to that world-class debater, imagine that he stuffed his mouth full of marbles before he began speaking--you couldn't understand him, no matter how brilliant he was. Good mechanics enhance your delivery of the argument in your paper, and you can't do without them. Your papers should demonstrate all good writing skills necessary to university-level composition. That means your essays should be free from spelling errors, improper grammar, incorrect punctuation, and awkward constructions. History is not merely "getting the facts right"--it is also about presenting an effective argument using them. If you have questions about technical English skills, you can consult the instructor. You also might consult one of the following manuals (many are on sale at the student bookstore or are at the library in the Reference section): Mark Hellstern/Gregory Scott/Stephen Garrison, eds., The History Student Writer's Manual ; The Chicago Manual of Style ; or any of the style manuals written by Kate Turabian. Also remember that history writing usually is not first person singular . Unless a question deliberately asks for YOUR perspective, don't write using "I" or "my" in your essays. Unlike scholars in some other fields, most historians still write without saying "I", "me" or "my"--but this convention does not mean that historians have no opinions. A good writer must learn to write in the "third person" voice. If you need examples, look at the books for your class. Return to top. Advice: Some step-by-step advice for working on your paper. Before you start writing: Read the whole assignment before you begin writing. Use other reading materials assigned in this class or lecture materials (if they are relevant) in answering the question. If you are writing a "research paper" you will need to go to the libary to find source materials. Proofreading: After you've completed a first draft, go back and reread what you've written. Does it meet the requirements for a well-written essay? Does your argument have enough evidence? Or is your argument not as strong and persuasive as you thought it was originally? The third paragraph may belong in the middle, and the second paragraph at the end. Rewrite and reorganize the sections that need help. This step is the one that makes the most difference between weak and strong papers; however, you must have written the first draft far enough in advance so that you have the time to revise/rethink. Return to top. Finishing: Before you hand in your essay, proofread a final time for errors. Unfortunately, spell-checking programs are only capable of giving a little help. For example, "there", "their" and "they're" all sound alike (homonyms) and may be spelled correctly by you, but you need to make sure you have used the right one. Check for spelling, correct word usage, punctuation, grammar mistakes, and awkward construction. One test is to read each sentence aloud; sometimes the ear can catch a mistake on paper. But beware colloquialisms, using phrases that are common in everyday speech but not used in formal writing. Another good suggestion is to have a friend proofread your essay for mistakes or logical gaps. Make sure the paper meets the guidelines of the directions. Look at the Common Problems page and avoid the most obvious errors. Return to top. Sally Hadden Courses | Study Aids | Research | Bio All Contents © Sally Hadden
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