Choosing a specific topic is very important,
and you should probably consult with me prior to your committing yourself
to it so that we can agree that the subject in which you are interested
is one which I believe will be appropriate as well as “do-able”
given our library resources. Since the term papers are due on October
27, you just give me your topic in writing to me on Monday, October
6.
Here are some random examples of term paper topics:
> The Conflict of Henry II and Thomas
Becket in Historical Perspective
> The Last Years of
Anglo-Saxon Rule in England
> England and Flanders:
the Significance of their Economic Relationship
> England and the Franciscan
Friars
> The Battle of Bouvines
and the Reign of King John
> Cromwell’s Government
and the House of Commons, 1649-1658
> “Bloody Mary” and Roman Catholicism in England, 1553-1558
The text of your paper should run at least 8 to 10 pages, NOT including
the title page and bibliography. You should use at least five books
in the preparation of this paper, NONE of which may be encyclopedias
or textbooks (although you may consult general works for background
information) You may use any standard for your notes and bibliography
currently in use, although it is very important that you are consistent
with whatever form you do decide to use. Also, be careful to cite correctly
any sources you elect to use from the WEB. If you are unsure about which
form to use for citing, please talk to me about it.
Remember that your paper should not merely a narrative but should have
a purpose/point in which the student seeks to analyze and explain so
that the reader can appreciate the historical significance of a person
or event, the varying interpretations historians may have, and/or the
controversies surrounding the event/phenomenon. If you have never written
a major paper in a college history course, you may wish to talk to me
about how to choose a topic and how to approach researching it.
Some stylistic and editorial warnings:
> Avoid
over foot-noting and over direct quoting.
> Paraphrasing with credit given the source in a note is perfectly
acceptable in lieu of a quotation from various books that have been
essentially strung together.
> Remember that commonly accepted basic information does not require
a note revealing the source. Common sense should tell the writer whether
or not a note is needed; be aware that every item of specific, "common"
information does not require a note for its source.
> Avoid over-reliance
on a spell check computer device; editorial work by human hand and eye
remains essential to the final production of a satisfactory paper. Papers
that are poorly prepared with misspellings, typographical errors, and
the like are unlikely to receive a high grade no matter how good the
content.
FINALLY, BE SURE TO KEEP ALL RESEARCH NOTES AND OTHER MATERIALS
THAT YOU USED IN PREPARATION OF YOUR PAPER IN CASE I CALL FOR THEM AFTER
YOU SUBMIT YOUR PAPER.
THIS IS REQUIRED AND VERY IMPORTANT…
NO EXCEPTIONS!