Step One - Topic Selection

*Presentation Thursday, January 20th

We'll spend about twenty to thirty minutes in class talking about what good historical questions look like. I'll provide examples. We'll also look at questions that are too general and too specific.

Due Date: Tuesday, January 25th


Step Two - Preliminary Bibliography/Sourcing

*Presentation: Monday, January 31st

This class session will be a full fifty-minute session. We'll meet in a computer lab. I'll spend about 20 minutes talking about bibliographies and sourcing documents. I'll then ask you to being searching for sources online for about thirty minutes. Of course, I'll be there to offer guidance, advice, and assistance.

*Due Date: Monday, February 7th

*Extended to Friday, February 11th

Step Three - Note Cards

*Presentation: Wednesday/Thursday, February 9th & 10th

We'll talk about gathering valid facts from your sources so you can begin to answer your historical question.

Due Date: Thursday, February 24th (Honors) & Friday, February 25th (AC)


Step Four - Establishing Claims

*Presentation: Friday, March 4th

We'll talk about using the information on your note cards to make claims that answer your historical question. Most importantly, we'll discuss plagiarism and its consequences. Please note that Honors students must provide a minimum of three claims. Each claim must be supported by at least three citations. Academic Core students must provide a minimum of three claims. Each claim must be supported by 2-3 citations.

Due Date: Friday, March 11th & Monday, March 14th (Honors); Wednesday, March 16th


Step Five - Thesis/Outline

*Presentation: Friday, March 25th

We'll talk about the most important part of your paper - the thesis. Your thesis statement provides your reader with a summary of your claims and simultaneously answers your historical question. We'll also go over outline construction. If you complete this step successfully, your paper will essentially write itself.

Due Date: Friday, April 8th


Step Six - Rough Draft

*Presentation: Friday, April 8th

This will be a short presentation. We'll discuss plagiarism once more and I'll fill you in on everything you need to know about turnitin.com. We'll also go over formatting standards.

Due Date: Wednesday, April 20th (AC); Thursday, April 21st (Honors)


Step Seven - Final Draft



Due Date: To Be Determined