Source Based Essay Instructions 2020
Students will write two 3 page papers (Not including the works cite page) in which they will answer a question related to the key themes from the time period covered.
The first essay will be due by March 5th 11:59 PM. The second will be due May 5th at 11:59 PM. To submit an essay, click the “Assessment� tab in the dropdown menu of our class D2L page. Then, click “Assignments�. There you will find a link for submission. When titling your submission, list your name and the title you have given your paper.
Papers should be typed in MLA format with a proper heading, parenthetical citations, and works cited page. A link to the Purdue Online Writing Lab has been included on how to properly format a paper in the MLA style.
MLA Formatting and Style Guide // Purdue Writing Lab
How should each essay be written?
As you may already know, a piece of written work consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Your work for each paper will be graded with a rubric in which you are scored based on the quality of each. You will also be scored based on the accuracy of format, spelling, and grammar.
Students should use a minimum of five sources. At least ONE of these sources should be a primary source.
In History, a primary source is any source that comes directly from the time period you are studying. For instance, if you are writing a paper on President Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb to end WW2, a speech by the President made in 1945 would be a primary source.
A secondary source is any other work written outside of the time period. An analysis of working class conditions in a Carnegie Steel Mill made by a historian 100+ years after the time period would be a secondary source.
What will you be writing about?
Below you will find a list of questions you may choose to use that will determine your topic.
Possible Questions for Source – Based Essay 2
How did Herbert Hoover’s approach to the Great Depression differ from his successor, FDR?
How did McCarthyism bring the Cold War to the home front for the United States?
How did the advent of new technologies shape public perception of the Vietnam War?
How should you find sources for this essay?
There are a number of good tools at your disposal for conducting research for the paper. One of which is your textbook The American YAWP. Beyond that, the links provided below may also prove helpful.
Avalon Project – Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy (yale.edu)
The Yale Avalon project contains primary sources relating to many relevant topics and may prove useful for your paper.