HIST17A American Civil War Essay

HIST17A American Civil War Essay

HIST 17A: History of the United States

Second Paper   (250 points)

In this assignment, you will analyze both primary and secondary sources to present a historical argument. You must present your own interpretation of what you see in the documents. Narrative style book reports are unacceptable and will result in a C or less. Remember to present your thesis at the beginning of your paper, clearly stating point by point what you will be arguing. The paragraphs that follow should support your argument with a strong introductory sentence. At the end of your paper, you will return to your thesis, and bring your argument to a successful conclusion.

Your second paper will be 4-5 pages in length, typed and double spaced in a 12 point font with footnotes and bibliography made according to the Chicago Manual of Style, and presented with standard one inch margins. It must also be submitted as a hard copy. Electronic copies will not be accepted. While the readings you have viewed up to this point will count as sources, you must find additional outside sources, either books or articles, to add to your bibliography. If you do not have a minimum total of five sources, you will receive a deduction in your grade. You may use up to ten sources. YOU MAY NOT USE WEBSITES. Title pages and the bibliography also do not count towards the minimum page length requirement of the essay. Failure to meet the minimum requirements will result in a deduction of your grade. Only in extreme circumstances will late papers be accepted without penalty, and only if I receive notification by email a day before the paper is due.

For your second paper, you will write an essay on your choice of topic ranging from the founding of the new nation up through the American Civil War. Look carefully at your sources. What do they tell you? What is your interpretation of the period under examination? What is your main argument? What evidence do you have to support this claim?