History 1301 and 1302 Research Paper Guidelines
Research Paper Guide Lines
1. Paper
Type your report on clean, good quality 8 1/2" x 11" white paper, one side only. A minimum of 5 pages plus a “Works Cited” page is required
2. Margins
Leave margins of your essay 1" (2.5 cm) at the top, bottom, left and right sides of each and every page. 1" is about 10 typed spaces. Exception is made for page numbers which are placed 1/2" (1.25 cm) from the top upper-right hand corner, flushed to the right margin.
3. Title Page
The MLA Handbook provides a general guideline on writing a research paper and documenting sources. You can see the MLA Handbook at http://www.mla.org or at http://www.citationmachine.net.
Another good resource for formatting and bibliography is http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
4. Spacing Between Lines
The entire essay should be double-spaced between lines along with 1" margin on all sides .
5. Spacing Between Words
In general, leave one space between words and one space after every comma, semi-colon, or colon. Traditionally, two spaces are required at the end of every sentence whether the sentence ends with a period, a question mark, or an exclamation mark.
6. Indentation
Indent set-off quotations 10 spaces or 1" from the left margin.
You will start each paragraph flush to the left margin. It is essential that you double-space between lines and quadruple-space between paragraphs.
7. Keeping Essay Together
Sheets of paper should be stapled at the upper left-hand corner. Use a paper clip if no stapler is available. Do not use a pin or fold the paper. You can hand in your paper in a folder, a binder, a plastic jacket.
The condition of the paper you hand in is an indication of the respect you have for yourself and the respect you have for your teacher. Before handing in your paper, ask yourself, "Is this the VERY BEST that I can do?"
8. Work Cited Page
Entries in Works Cited are put in alphabetical order by last names of authors, editors, translators, etc. or by first words of titles.
Remember:
1. DO NOT number entries.
2. DO NOT list citations separately by categories. All references are placed in ONE ALPHABETICAL LIST by first words of citations, regardless of where citations come from.
3. Begin on a new page. Start on the 6th line from the top (or 1" down from the top of the paper), center, and type one of the following titles: Works Cited. Double space after the title. List all entries in alphabetical order by the first word, taking into consideration the rules governing titles that begin with articles.
4. Begin the first line of each entry flush at the left margin. Keep typing until you run out of room at the end of the line. Indent 5 spaces for second and subsequent lines of the same entry. Double-space all lines, both within and between entries. Remember that this is only a guideline adapted from the MLA Handbook.
All information relating to MLA style as presented has been based on this authoritative publication from the Modern Language Association of
Some Search Engines to use:
Google
Yahoo
Ask Jeeves
How it will be graded
90% Historical Content. Did you support the thesis statement with references that are logical and authoritative? Did you use your own words to restate the reference in your own language?
10% Following instructions given on written presentation. Remember to use at lease one primary source and two secondary sources. A good resource is the Library of Congress at www.loc.gov. Click on the “American Memory” link.
Please remember to include thesis statement, blah blah blah, and blah blah blah at the beginning of your paper. Close with a summary statement
Due Date: History 1301, See posted schedule. History 1302 , see posted schedule. All are due at the end of class. No late papers accepted!
