Posted: February 16th, 2017

Identifies at least four primary sources (i.e., letters, diaries, publications) from Voices of Freedom that relate to this issue.

Controversial Issue for Term Paper

The assigned topic this session is “Public Education.” Please read the CMS rules in A Pocket Guide to Writing in History.If you have questions about the Term Paper, please ask them in the Discussions area.

Term Paper Expectations:

The Term Paper requires you, first, to critically analyze primary sources and, second, to research related secondary sources before typing the paper. It provides you with the opportunity to develop research and writing skills as well as to synthesize knowledge about a controversial issue. In order to earn the maximum points, you must submit a paper that accomplishes the following:

1. Considers the controversial issue announced by the instructor in the Content area (also note the discussion topic in the Discussions area).
2. Identifies at least four primary sources (i.e., letters, diaries, publications) from Voices of Freedom that relate to this issue. You may use other sources if needed but make an effort to use this source.
3. Consults two valid secondary sources that help to develop a thesis.
4. Constructs a thesis statement based upon the primary and secondary sources.
5. Incorporates an introduction, body, and conclusion.
6. Organizes paragraphs with approximately eight sentences developing a single topic.
7. Avoids spelling errors, awkward language, improper grammar, flawed punctuation, and other compositional mistakes.
8. Includes at least five pages of full typed text circumscribed by one inch margins, making each double spaced page approximately 250 words and 25-27 lines with a standard type 12 point font.
9. Uses the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) for documenting all quotations and paraphrases (CMS rules are explainedA Pocket Guide to Writing in History).
10. Adds a complete bibliography that properly lists the sources used for the paper.