4) History Fair Research Paper

Now that your bibliography is cited and annotated we're going to start writing your research paper.  It will take the from of a five-paragraph essay using your thesis.  These types of essays are usually called argumentative. 

Still having trouble with your thesis and outline?
Check out this basic site:  Thesis Generator

 





Use the outline in class or this webtool:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/essaymap/

 This will be discussing this in class, but here are two great guidelines for you to reread or read if you were absent.
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/05/
 http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/argument.html

Well use the five-paragraph approach. The method consists of:

1. an introductory paragraph that introduces the topic, gives a context, and states the thesis
2. three evidentiary body paragraphs that support the thesis
3. a conclusion that restates the thesis

You'll also need to print a copy for class.  12 point simple font, double spaced.

2) History Fair Sources and Research

Primary and Secondary Sources

 First, review our notes and take the primary source vs. secondary source quiz game a few times.

Still need help?  Check out: http://www.nhd.org/ConductingResearch.htm

Doing Research/Finding Sources 

Primary Sources – What are they?  How do you find them?  What do you do with them?
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/sections/history/resources/pubs/usingprimarysources/index.cfm

Library of Congress – Digital Collectionhttp://www.loc.gov/index.html#

National Archives (the building in DC where the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and millions of other records are stored)
http://www.archives.gov/research/

University of Chicago – Special Collections http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/scrc/

The Encyclopedia of Chicago – Electronic Version(includes primary sources from the Chicago History Museum Collection)
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/

Infotrac Gale Virtual Reference Library [this may be subject to change]

If you are not at school and need to login,

login password: (*hint--our mascot)

http://access.gale.com/epcusd401/

 Breaking News! 
The Society of American Archivists NHD Committee is happy to announce the "opening" of a new, online toolkit with step by step help for NHD students conducting research in an archives.
Visit the site at: http://nhdarchives.pbworks.com
You will find:
•    A short video introducing and welcoming students to archives
•    Information on how to find and contact archives about primary sources on specific topics
•    An introduction to using primary sources
•    Information and examples of what to expect when you visit an archives
•    Links to gateways to help find reliable sites for online primary sources
•    Links to great information about teaching students how to work with primary sources

Also check out: http://www.nhd.org/researchcentral.htm

1) History Fair Thesis

Ready, steady, go!  Phase II of the history fair is here.

We will be watching a short video, reviewing the history fair PowerPoint [click on five steps to become a historian], and writing down ideas on our worksheet. 

Then, we'll focus on developing a thesis

Projects should do more than just tell a story. Every exhibit, performance, documentary, paper and web site should make a point about its topic. To do this, you must develop your own argument of the historical impact of the person, event, pattern or idea you are studying. The point you make is called a thesis statement. A thesis statement is not the same as a topic. Your thesis statement explains what you believe to be the impact and significance of your topic in history.

For Example

Topic: Battle of Gettysburg
Thesis Statement: The battle of Gettysburg was a major turning point of the Civil War. It turned the tide of the war from the South to the North, pushing back Lee's army that would never fight again on Northern soil and bringing confidence to the Union army.

As you read…Write it down now!

To be a responsible researcher you must give credit to your source of information in a bibliography. For now, however, it is important to collect the critical information from each source you will use: the author's name, titles, publishers, and date of publication, and page number for quotes.

From NDH website: http://www.nhd.org/ConductingResearch.htm
 

3) History Fair Annotated Bibliography

Help with Annotated Bibliographies

Once you've found your sources and are ready for your bibliography, use this site:http://citationmachine.net/  
 (or  http://www.bibme.org if that site doesn't work)

Use MLA format:

Last name, First name. Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication.

 

Examples here (use the left for navigation).

Then annotate the sources with a brief one-sentence summary.  Examples are here.

Submitting Your Topic and Annotated Bibliography

You can submit hard copies or email me but you will need to print these.  When turning these in,  don't forget to include your full name and block.

Here's what your Topic and Bib Sheet should look like:

George Washington, 4A

History Fair Topic: How the American Revolution Succeeded

Thesis:

Annotated Bibliography

Primary Sources (2):

Secondary Sources (3):

While you don't have to have a book at this point, using one is highly recommended. 

History Fair Topic Ideas

History Fair topic ideas can be difficult to develop and you shouldn't rush into it.  Here are some sites to help you out.

Think about what we talked about in class and explore some topics that interest you.  Need some ideas?  Click on the links below.

Go to NHD and View the Sample Topics (pdf)

 

Go to Chicago History, then click Students Become Historians and NHD Topic Ideas

The theme is year is Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events.  While I'm not too concerned at this point about you fitting your topic into this theme, it's a good idea to keep this in mind. 

Read the pages and choose three topics that look interesting.  If you can’t find much information on the topic you probably can’t do it. 

Elm Middle School History Fair 2012

We're still tallying votes, but there are lots of great projects to be seen  at the History Fair this year.  Best in class winners will be announced during the assembly this Thursday. 
Click to see slide show.