Darty AMH 2010.03 Term Paper Requirements

You will choose your paper topic from prearranged topics,
which will be posted outside my office. These are given on a first-come, first-serve basis--sign up as soon as possible so that you can get started on your research.

Three Elements: Source Worksheets, Outline Worksheet, and Final Draft

Source Worksheets: You will fill out a minimum of five source worksheets. These are designed to get you "into" your source material and help you do research for your paper. Each worksheet requires bibliography information, asks questions about your source, and should demonstrate the relevance of the source to your paper. This means you will need to start your research early and think about your paper topic--the better to get you started and avoid procrastination! : ) See Source Worksheets--all source worksheets must be submitted typed with appropriate headings. 25 points Outline Worksheet: You will fill out one outline worksheet. This will demonstrate your preparedness to write your paper. It will ask for a thesis statement/statement of purpose, major arguments or points including specific documented examples, and the conclusions. See Outline Worksheet--all outline worksheets must be submitted typed with appropriate headings. 25 points Final Draft: This is where all your hard work comes together--you will build on the research completed and your outlines to create a cohesive narrative. The full-text portion of your term paper has specific requirements that you must follow for grammar, style, and reference. Make yourself familiar with them and use the Rampolla reference manual at all times for the citations and bibliography. See requirements below. 50 points

Sources:

Minimum five sources required. You may use the textbook and class lecture notes but they do not count toward the minimum five sources, which can be books, articles, journals, newspapers, original documents such as letters, diaries, papers, pamphlets, websites, etc. I strongly discourage the use of encyclopedias (bound or CD-ROM)--as a college student, you should have acquired better research skills than to use a compilation source. Encyclopedias can prove useful as a place to start for general knowledge but you should search out information that specifically relates to your topic. On-line sources are fine, but should be used cautiously for original web-based information. Be critical of what you find on-line--ask yourself how reliable the source is and whether it can be trusted as fact rather than fiction. Sites associated with academic institutions, government agencies, and research facilities are generally safe but be wary. If you are in doubt, ask me. Also, please be aware of the proper reference format for on-line sources by checking your manual before you begin searching.

Basic Requirements for Final Draft:

Each paper must be typed, double-spaced, 10 to 12-point font (Arial, Times New Roman, or typeface only), and a minimum of six full pages (text only included--citations, bibliography, and cover page do not count toward page total) . The paper must be numbered (upper right, lower right, or lower center)and stapled (upper left corner). Please do not use folders, binders, etcetera. Margins should be a standard 1-inch on all sides.You must have a cover sheet, in-text citations (footnotes or endnotes ONLY), and a bibliography, following guidelines as indicated in the Rampolla reference manual. Please pay attention to proper rules of grammar, spelling, organization, verb agreement, and other guidelines as you prepare these assignments--you will be graded on them as required by the Gordon Rule and college-level academia. See Writing Tips. Cover sheet: Must include title for the paper, topic #, your name, course and section number (AMH 2010 Section 3), my name (Mrs. Amy Darty), and the date of submission. References and Citations: Footnotes or endnotes only, as indicated by an Arabic or Roman numeral--NO PARENTHETICAL CITATIONS. This means that you should not, under any circumstances, put source information in parenthesis at the end of a sentence. If you do, your paper will receive a grade of zero. Likewise, if the in-text citations are left out of the papr, this is also grounds for a zero. These citations stand alone--that means that you do not link it with your bibliography using a number listing. Rather, each in-text citation has its own number, even if you reuse the same source or page number. For example, if your paper has 40 citations, then they will be numbered in increasing numerical order from 1 to 40 until all notes are completed.You must use Mary Lynn Rampolla's reference manual (a required text) for this paper. If you have any doubts or have not used footnotes or endnotes before, please see me for help. Bibliography: This is a listing of all the sources you consulted, which may exceed the minimum five sources that you submit on your worksheets. Unlike a works cited page, a bibliography tells your reader what research you did and the availability of various sources on the subject. A bibliography page should never have numbered entries and is considered separate from footnotes or endnotes. If the bibliography is left out of the papr, this is grounds for a zero. See Rampolla reference manual for specifics.

EEK! I Need Help!:

Relax...all students have access to library assistance on researching history topics through a PERC service. Undergraduate students may make PERC appointments at the Library reference desk (main floor) for help finding leads on research topics, sources, and information. Generally, you must make an appointment 24 hours in advance. You will get a one-on-one session with a librarian who specializes in your area of research who will help you with searches, library databases, and locating materials. This is a FREE service. Let them help--that's why they are there. I am also quite willing to help students in their research so feel free to seek me out. Help with writing is available from the UCF Writing Center, located in MOD 608, as well as from me. Please allow reasonable time for us to help you with brainstorming and revision. For info, call (407) 823-2197. If you have not done footnotes or endnotes before or simply need a refresher, I am available for questions at any time. The Rampolla reference manual is quite thorough but I'm here if you need me.

Importance of Due Dates:

Each assignment must be turned in before the end of class on the day it is due. If you are unable to attend, you are still responsible for turning in the work on time (or early if necessary), even if it means sending a courier. The time due remains the same. Absolutely NO late papers will be accepted without documentation of extremely extenuating circumstances!

Academic Dishonesty:

Plagiarism and cheating are not tolerated and have no excuse.  Inaccurate or lack of  required documentation (footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography), handing in the same or similar assignments (paraphrasing another), or cheating on exams are grounds for academic probation or expulsion.  Have respect for your abilities, the subject matter, and your instructor by doing your own work. For questions, see UCF Policy on Academic Honesty.

Research Tips:

1.        Search first for information on the true events of your topic.

·         Understanding the realities of the situation will help you determine alternative possibilities, and the reasons a situation may have gone one way or another.

2.        Search for bibliographic information within the last 20-30 years

·         Most current research will contain previous theories and will present more balanced views on subjects

·         Usually, these current sources also include analysis as well as reporting the facts of a historical event, place, or thing

3.        Try to use the reasons historians give for the success or failure of a historical event, place, or thing, and then consider the opposite outcome had that result not occurred

4.        Take notes on ALL sources you use

·         Note bibliographic information FIRST then important details and ideas from the source; this eliminates scrambling to find a citation later on

·         Try to organize your topic into major categories or points you want to make, and then take notes on those specific points; this eliminates unnecessary research and focuses your paper

·         Keep everything you'll use for the paper in one location, folder, etc. to eliminate chance of loss

5.        Keep a running Bibliography page on file; this eliminates rushing and making mistakes at the end when you are frantically trying to finish

Note: Each person's topic will vary the method of research and writing format slightly.  Specific directions or suggestions that are discussed with me regarding your topic should be followed.