Paper Assignment
In place of a traditional summer course, you will be expected to complete a college-level research paper in order to demonstrate mastery of material.Â
Choose a significant event (or individual’s story) in the history of American sports in the 20th Century (occurring between 1900 and 2000). Research the event utilizing various sources and create a thesis which expresses how the event reflects something larger in American society/history. Use the evidence you find in your research to support your thesis, telling the story of the sports event and the broader American history to which it relates. [Examples could be Sports events in the context of Civil Rights, the Cold War, the War on Drugs, Globalization, etc.]Â
Your final paper must be 12-15 pages in length, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font. You also must include a Works Cited page at the end of the paper; the Works Cited page DOES NOT count toward the 12-page minimum.Â
The paper must utilize AT LEAST 7 different sources. Of these, AT LEAST 5 must be primary sources. What is a primary source? A primary source is something produced at the time of the event (newspapers, letters, etc.). In order to do this, you can utilize the following databases:Â
Remember that the information in your paper should all relate to your thesis (the central point you are trying to make in the paper). No information should be included just for the purpose of filling space. See the photo I attached to the assignment on Google Classroom for my basic overview of how to write a research paper.Â
When quoting from your sources or using the information from your sources, you MUST cite your sources. You may do this in MLA format (parenthetically) or in Footnotes. To create a footnote, in Google Docs, click Insert → Footnote; then enter the information about the source. A paper without citations will not receive a passing grade.Â
Make sure to proofread your paper. It should be free from grammatical and spelling errors. My advice is always to READ YOUR PAPER OUT LOUD (to yourself and to somebody else). This can help you find both small and large errors. And if it does not make sense as you read it out loud, then it does not make sense.Â
Your paper should have a title centered at the top of the first page. The title should NOT just be the name of the event you are writing about; be creative.Â
Remember that you are NOT merely telling the story of the event. You MUST connect it (in a detailed way) to a larger story in US History/Society. (For example, what does this event show us about race issues in America at the time? Or, what does it tell us about politics during this period? Or, how does this compare to what was happening for women in America at the time? Etc.)Â
You may also be required to answer questions in a live Zoom meeting relating to your paper.Â
Plagiarism WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. A paper found to be plagiarized will result in a failing grade for the Summer School
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