History Assignments Spring
2008
Term Paper Instructor:
R. Brennan
Requirements:
The term paper must be at least ten (10) typed pages
long [feel free to go beyond that length].
These pages will consist of a minimum of nine (9) pages of information,
statistics, biographical background, etc.
The tenth and final page will be your analysis/reaction to
the person/subject you chose for your paper.
Subject:
The subject can be any historical person or pivotal
event from the time period of the class.
Note: for US History classes, the subject person/event must be from US
History. For the Western Civilization
sections, no
Works Cited:
Paper must include at least eight (8) bibliographical
sources [excluding encyclopedias]. One
of the sources must be a primary source.
a
primary source is:
Firsthand information [a
source contemporary to the event], such as an eyewitness account of events; a
diary; a speech, or other historical document; a work of literature or art [or
musical composition]; a report of a survey or experiment; and ones own interview,
observation or correspondence.
a
secondary source is:
A source reporting or
analyzing information in other sources.
A secondary source is an interpretation of history through the use of
primary and/or secondary sources.
Examples include books and journal articles.
Documentation and
Plagiarism:
As evidenced by past
semesters, it has become necessary to include a definition of documentation for
research papers. Any information that is
not general information must be documented.
Plagiarism
is using as your own the words or ideas of another, whether written or
oral. When you use material from a
source, you must quote or paraphrase accurately and properly cite the
information. Failure to do so is
considered plagiarism. Examples of
plagiarism include word-for-word copying without correctly indicating that you
are quoting, inaccurate quoting and paraphrasing, and incomplete or missing
documentation. Purchasing a paper or
copying someone elses work and submitting it as your own are also plagiarism. Any misrepresentation of the source in
your writing or speaking would constitute a form of plagiarism.
If you are in any doubt, document the
information. Failure to give proper
credit to the source from which you obtained your information is considered academic
dishonesty and will be treated as such. Whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism is not
acceptable and will result in the student being assigned a grade of zero for
the assignment. If there is still
any uncertainty, ask at the
Due Date:
The due date for the term paper is Friday March 14th
4:00 PM. The papers must be handed in by
4:00 PM. If the paper is not in my
hand when I leave for the day you will receive a 0 for the assignment. There are no exceptions. You have two months to complete the
assignment do not wait until the last minute!
Grammar and Spelling:
I will count off one point for each
grammatical/spelling mistake. Eight
mistakes counts off eight points [one letter grade]. Proofread carefully.
Font/Type Size:
The only acceptable font size is 12. The only acceptable font is Times New
Roman. If you do not have this style on
your computer, you must see me before you turn in your
paper. If you turn in your paper using a
different font, I will retype the paper in the correct font and any short fall
in the length of the paper will be counted off.
1.25 side margins are the maximum, 1 top and bottom margins are the
maximum. The paper is to be
double-spaced.
Completed Task:
If papers are not stapled together when they are
turned in, this will result in the loss of 5 points. This is college; you should be able to turn
in professional work at this point. All
work should include a cover page with your name, the class (day and time that
the class meets) and the instructors name.
Do not include this information on the first page of text as it will be
counted off. Do not turn in paper with
any type of plastic, cardboard, file or any other sort of material as a
cover. I will only end up throwing those
covers away.
Questions:
If you have any questions regarding this paper, feel
free to ask them either before or after class, or if that is not possible, you
can reach me at my office phone number 362-7235. If there is anything you do not understand it
is your responsibility to ask.
Remember, it is too late to ask questions after the paper
is turned in.
Critique Sheet
- lack of title page 5
- lacks minimum 9 pages of
text 15 per page short (pro-rated each page)
- lacks analysis page 25
(pro-rated)
- lacks citations within the
body of the text 100
- plagiarism you will
receive a 0 for the assignment and will fail the course
- lacks works cited page 15
- lacks primary source 15
- lacks requisite 8
bibliographic sources 5 per source short
- incorrect margins 15 for
each ½ inch greater than 1.25
- incorrect font 15 for
each font size larger than 12
- paper turned in late you
will receive a 0 for the assignment
- each spelling/grammatical
mistake 1 per mistake
- content problems
(variable)