Description:
This is an argumentative research paper, not an explanatory paper. I"ve attached the professor"s instructions and a document explaining my intended topic (it has a working title and some interesting sources already). The class is "North Carolina History" and the paper must include how hemp (cannabis sativa) was crucial to the economy of the colonial and antebellum eras of the state. It must argue how (or if) the DuPont family (makers of nylon synthetic fiber) and the Hearst family (heavily invested in the paper industry) may have brought about the end of the hemp industry, and that cotton and tobacco were not the first or only cash crop in the state. Then segue into the present and argue how hemp can revitalize the agricultural industry in North Carolina now that tobacco is falling out of favor.
This is an argumentative research paper, not an explanatory paper. I"ve attached the professor"s instructions and a document explaining my intended topic (it has a working title and some interesting sources already). The class is "North Carolina History" and the paper must include how hemp (cannabis sativa) was crucial to the economy of the colonial and antebellum eras of the state. It must argue how (or if) the DuPont family (makers of nylon synthetic fiber) and the Hearst family (heavily invested in the paper industry) may have brought about the end of the hemp industry, and that cotton and tobacco were not the first or only cash crop in the state. Then segue into the present and argue how hemp can revitalize the agricultural industry in North Carolina now that tobacco is falling out of favor.
NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY RESEARCH PAPER INSTRUCTIONS
1. Choose a topic that interests you but also make sure that there are enough sources—books, journal articles, etc.--to support your project. You cannot use only websites. Start with a broad subject or question and then narrow it down as you begin researching and reading. It is imperative that you tighten the focus of the topic to something that is: 1) related to North Carolina History in some way; 2) is historical, not contemporary; 3) is narrow enough for a short ten page paper. For instance, you might start with an interest in pirates, skim some sources and the web to learn a little about North Carolina pirates, choose one or a subtopic (perhaps Blackbeard), and then find some topic or question about Blackbeard that is debatable or that has attracted the attention of several historians. If you have no idea where to start consider what kind of history you enjoy and what period of history you would like to explore. Skim a textbook or play around on the Web just looking for something that catches your eye. Please talk to the professor of teaching assistant if you want to discuss some possibilities or get some suggestions.
2. How many sources will you need? It depends on the sources. Five books are more than enough (and you will probably only read relevant sections anyway). Two books and three articles is great. No books? Then you will probably need about five articles with at least four of them “scholarly” sources (not just popular magazines or websites for general readers). You cannot base your paper on all internet sources. Get to the library. You do NOT need to find primary sources—letters, newspapers, or documents from the time period of your topic. This paper is to be based on secondary sources. You are not required to do original research.
3. Here are a few journals to consider. Remember to use research tools available from the library, including both electronic and hard copy sources.
-North Carolina Historical Review *Very highly recommended if not required!
-Journal of Southern History
-Journal of American History
Hint: Consider looking at bibliographies and footnotes in history books and articles for leads to other sources.
4. This is an argumentative paper, not an explanatory paper. The purpose of your paper is NOT to sum up the fascinating information you found but to state your opinion on some historical or historiographical argument. Historical questions ask about unclear or unresolved issues or events, such as: What really happened to the Lost Colony? Historiographical questions concern debates between historians over the meaning or interpretation of an event, such as: Do you agree with scholars who argue that NC Quakers held less racist views during slavery or do you side with those historians who think the Quakers were just as racist as other antebellum Tar Heels? It is often difficult to find these debates and it takes some time, effort, and careful reading to discover them. Frankly, a good part of your grade will depend on whether or not you successfully found, and responded to, such questions and actually wrote an argumentative paper.
Hint: If you find a scholarly book or journal article on your topic there is a good chance that the author is arguing with someone else, so look in the introduction or conclusion (and the footnotes) to find out with what and with whom that scholar is disagreeing. The author probably will let you know exactly who is on the other side of the debate and even give you the citations.
5. Deadline and TurnItIn:
The due date is listed on the Syllabus and on the course AsULearn site.
You will submit your paper electronically through the TurnItIn link on the course AsULearn site. This system checks your paper for plagiarism and other errors so you may want to submit it early and make appropriate corrections before the due date. We will not grade any early submissions but will only look at the final copy you submit. No hard copy of your paper is required.
Specific Writing Instructions:
-Use endnotes, not footnotes.
-Endnotes should follow The Chicago Manual of Style (see the ASU Library website or the writing guide recommended in the Syllabus as an optional book for this course.
-Length: Ten pages. You must finish on the ninth or the eleventh page.
-Font: Times New Roman, 12pt.
-Margins: Standard 1 inch margins.
-Spacing: Double Space (and avoid putting an extra space between paragraphs).
-Cover Page: Include your title, name, and the date.
-Bibliography: Required. Follow The Chicago Manual of Style.
-Page Numbers: Top right of every page, preferably not on the first page, and do not count the title page.
-A few general rules for academic writing:
-Avoid first person. Do not write: “I think that . . . .”
-Do not use contractions as they aren’t allowed.
-In historical writing, most paragraphs have a least three sentences and should not run longer than a page.
-How many endnotes? You should have a note following every quotation or specific bit of information that comes from just one source (not general information). Generally most paragraphs need an endnote to tell the reader from where you got the information unless it is widely known or the ideas are your own.
-The number for the endnote comes after the quote marks and the period. For example, “Dr. Campbell told us to do it this way.”
-Put a hard return after your final sentence and title the next page “Notes.” Your word processing program will do the rest.
Notes
1. Choose a topic that interests you but also make sure that there are enough sources—books, journal articles, etc.--to support your project. You cannot use only websites. Start with a broad subject or question and then narrow it down as you begin researching and reading. It is imperative that you tighten the focus of the topic to something that is: 1) related to North Carolina History in some way; 2) is historical, not contemporary; 3) is narrow enough for a short ten page paper. For instance, you might start with an interest in pirates, skim some sources and the web to learn a little about North Carolina pirates, choose one or a subtopic (perhaps Blackbeard), and then find some topic or question about Blackbeard that is debatable or that has attracted the attention of several historians. If you have no idea where to start consider what kind of history you enjoy and what period of history you would like to explore. Skim a textbook or play around on the Web just looking for something that catches your eye. Please talk to the professor of teaching assistant if you want to discuss some possibilities or get some suggestions.
2. How many sources will you need? It depends on the sources. Five books are more than enough (and you will probably only read relevant sections anyway). Two books and three articles is great. No books? Then you will probably need about five articles with at least four of them “scholarly” sources (not just popular magazines or websites for general readers). You cannot base your paper on all internet sources. Get to the library. You do NOT need to find primary sources—letters, newspapers, or documents from the time period of your topic. This paper is to be based on secondary sources. You are not required to do original research.
3. Here are a few journals to consider. Remember to use research tools available from the library, including both electronic and hard copy sources.
-North Carolina Historical Review *Very highly recommended if not required!
-Journal of Southern History
-Journal of American History
Hint: Consider looking at bibliographies and footnotes in history books and articles for leads to other sources.
4. This is an argumentative paper, not an explanatory paper. The purpose of your paper is NOT to sum up the fascinating information you found but to state your opinion on some historical or historiographical argument. Historical questions ask about unclear or unresolved issues or events, such as: What really happened to the Lost Colony? Historiographical questions concern debates between historians over the meaning or interpretation of an event, such as: Do you agree with scholars who argue that NC Quakers held less racist views during slavery or do you side with those historians who think the Quakers were just as racist as other antebellum Tar Heels? It is often difficult to find these debates and it takes some time, effort, and careful reading to discover them. Frankly, a good part of your grade will depend on whether or not you successfully found, and responded to, such questions and actually wrote an argumentative paper.
Hint: If you find a scholarly book or journal article on your topic there is a good chance that the author is arguing with someone else, so look in the introduction or conclusion (and the footnotes) to find out with what and with whom that scholar is disagreeing. The author probably will let you know exactly who is on the other side of the debate and even give you the citations.
5. Deadline and TurnItIn:
The due date is listed on the Syllabus and on the course AsULearn site.
You will submit your paper electronically through the TurnItIn link on the course AsULearn site. This system checks your paper for plagiarism and other errors so you may want to submit it early and make appropriate corrections before the due date. We will not grade any early submissions but will only look at the final copy you submit. No hard copy of your paper is required.
Specific Writing Instructions:
-Use endnotes, not footnotes.
-Endnotes should follow The Chicago Manual of Style (see the ASU Library website or the writing guide recommended in the Syllabus as an optional book for this course.
-Length: Ten pages. You must finish on the ninth or the eleventh page.
-Font: Times New Roman, 12pt.
-Margins: Standard 1 inch margins.
-Spacing: Double Space (and avoid putting an extra space between paragraphs).
-Cover Page: Include your title, name, and the date.
-Bibliography: Required. Follow The Chicago Manual of Style.
-Page Numbers: Top right of every page, preferably not on the first page, and do not count the title page.
-A few general rules for academic writing:
-Avoid first person. Do not write: “I think that . . . .”
-Do not use contractions as they aren’t allowed.
-In historical writing, most paragraphs have a least three sentences and should not run longer than a page.
-How many endnotes? You should have a note following every quotation or specific bit of information that comes from just one source (not general information). Generally most paragraphs need an endnote to tell the reader from where you got the information unless it is widely known or the ideas are your own.
-The number for the endnote comes after the quote marks and the period. For example, “Dr. Campbell told us to do it this way.”
-Put a hard return after your final sentence and title the next page “Notes.” Your word processing program will do the rest.
Notes
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