Wild Bill

You will write a 10–12-page research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on an approved topic. Approval is contingent upon a successful Research Proposal. The paper must include at least 4 primary sources and 4 secondary sources. The paper must have a title page, footnotes, 1-inch margins, double spacing, numbered pages, 12-point Times New Roman font, a single-spaced bibliography (with primary and secondary sources listed separately [primary listed first]).

The paper must have a narrow focus. For example, if you write on a particular figure in history, do not try to cover that person’s entire life. Instead, focus on a particular accomplishment or aspect of his or her life. The best way to keep a narrow focus is to produce a refined thesis statement that will give you specific direction. In addition, be sure that every topic sentence (generally the first sentence of a subsequent paragraph) points back to the thesis. This will help you stay on task and keep the paper organized.

It looks to me like you have found a good research path. Let me make a couple quick suggestions, however. Make sure you craft a historical thesis that you can ably support with primary source evidence. Far too many papers are written without clear historical arguments. Just make sure your thesis is noticeable, preferably in your introduction. This gives your paper direction at the outset. Also, make sure to incorporate some level of current historiography: you must explain how your research fits into what others have already written about this subject. Writing history is a large conversation that happens between scholars past and present. We must acknowledge the work of others when appropriate and relevant. Let me know if you have any questions as you move forward.

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