World History | S. Keator

Research Paper Project

School Year 2024-25

Instructor: Sam Keator

Your mission, should you choose to accept it (well, actually you have no choice unless you really want a zero on the assignment), is to write a 6 page research paper on a major topic of World History. For example, the cultural achievements of ancient Chinese civilization or the Industrial Revolution would qualify as major topics. You must take an “angle” in your paper through a cogent thesis statement. You are trying to write an informative and insightful paper, which takes a position through the thesis statement. You are NOT merely furnishing a report about a topic. You are not bound by any time period on this project.  

You must use a variety of sources, meaning a good mix of books, magazine articles, scholarly journals, and legitimate Internet sources etc., with a minimum number of 7 sources.

Your paper must be researched and documented properly in Chicago style. Your paper must have: 1) title page, 2) the paper itself with Chicago style citations, and 3) a bibliography.

We will be working solely on the paper from the beginning of the project until you turn in the final draft. You will then have the opportunity to produce a re-write of the final draft after it is graded. All papers will be required to hand-in a re-write.

This paper is worth 300 Points. The re-write will factor in to adjust your final grade.

Good Luck!!

This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds (Not really, just a bad attempt at humor on my part).

Research Paper Guideposts

Here is the timeline you should be following for the Research Paper:

• Thursday, 10/24: We will introduce the Research Project in class.
• Friday, 10/25: You will have an informative Library Instruction Day with Library Staff.
• Monday, 10/28 thru Friday, 11/1: We will be in research mode in the Library.
• Friday, 11/1: By the end of class (or even sooner), you should have your research done with a completed bibliography and begin to transition to the writing phase by beginning to formulate an outline with a thesis statement.
• Monday 11/4 thru Friday 11/8: We will be in writing mode in the classroom.
• Friday 11/8: You should be getting to close to completing your paper.
• Sunday 11/10: You should have the paper complete and printed off so that you can sleep on it. 
• Monday 11/11: You should wake up feeling good about your paper and turn it in at the beginning of class (even though it is officially due by the end of class).