HIS 338 Final Project: Narrative Research Paper Guidelines and Rubric

Overview The final project for this course should be centered on a historical argument that demonstrates an advanced understanding of a specific aspect of America between 1815 and 1848. You will construct a fully researched, thesis-driven narrative containing both primary and secondary sources. You will use these sources to shed light on your chosen topic without propagating any historical fallacies. In addition to the Shapiro Library History Guide as a starting point for your research, a full list of internet links is also available for this project. Remember that your examination of your topic needs to move beyond simply describing key individuals and events; it must analyze those details and assess their significance for the time period. You should NOT produce biographies or simple reconstructions of particular military or political or cultural campaigns. You will strategically organize your paper to put together a highly effective response to the issue presented by your topic and present:

 A Compelling Introduction: Identify your topic clearly, outlining the structure of the argument, defining key terms, and clearly stating the thesis.

 An Organized Body: Follow through your thesis in the body of your paper. Ensure you use effective transitions for every component of your argument. The body of your paper should flow logically, arguing the thesis from your introduction with highly effective examples and facts that support each element and claim in your thesis. The body will also include effective source evidence from your research in the form of highly relevant quotations and concise paraphrasing.

 A Powerful Conclusion: This is where you pull it all together. Your conclusion will not only effectively restate your thesis, but will pull all your claims together. Your conclusion should clearly relate how the issue represented by the thesis is important, identify what bigger question it raises, and/or address possibilities and implications for additional research.

Review the grading rubric below to identify all aspects of the proficiencies that differentiate an exemplary paper.

Main Elements Milestone One: Research Topic In task 1-3, you will submit your research topic. The format should be a one-paragraph Word document that includes the topic for your research project. This assignment will be graded using the Milestone One Rubric. Milestone Two: Annotated Bibliography In task 3-2, you will submit an annotated bibliography of primary and secondary sources that will be used for your research project. The format should be a Word document. This assignment will be graded using the Milestone Two Rubric.

Final Submission: Research Paper In task 7-2, you will submit your summative research paper. Your final submission should be uploaded to a discussion topic and submitted as a Word document to your instructor. Your narrative research paper should be a minimum of 6–8 pages (not including cover page or resources) and properly footnoted with a minimum of six quality resources cited in Turabian style, and follow these formatting guidelines: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Note that you will also be developing a companion assignment, an annotated bibliography (see Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric document) that will help guide you through the research phase of this project. The final research paper should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the main elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This assignment will be graded using the Final Product Rubric (below). A helpful guide to assist you in conducting your research can be found here.

Final Product Rubric Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Introduction Meets “Proficient” criteria and is substantiated with research

Identifies the topic and outlines the structure of the argument, stating a thesis

Identifies the topic and states a thesis, but the structure of the argument is not clearly defined

Does not clearly identify topic, thesis, and/or structure of argument

25

Body

Meets “Proficient” criteria and is substantiated with highly effective examples and facts that support thesis claims

Body of paper flows logically, arguing thesis with relevant examples and facts that support thesis claims

Body of paper argues thesis with examples and facts that support claims but with gaps in logic that can be addressed with more effective organization and evidence to support thesis claims

Body of paper requires additional organization and/or additional relevant examples and facts to support thesis claims

25

Application of Sources

Meets “Proficient” criteria and is substantiated with several examples to support argument

Integrates appropriate source evidence

Minimally integrates appropriate source evidence

Does not integrate appropriate source evidence

20

Conclusion Meets “Proficient” criteria and is supported with scholarly research

Cohesive conclusion not only restates thesis and supports claims but clearly relates how the issue represented by the thesis is important and raises a greater question or identifies implications for additional research

Conclusion restates thesis and supports claims but needs to more clearly relate how the issue represented by the thesis is important and raises a greater question or identifies implications for additional research

Conclusion needs stronger restatement of thesis to support claims and/or needs to clearly relate how the issue represented by the thesis is important and raises a greater question or identifies implications for additional research

20

Articulation of Response

Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of

10

a professional and easy to read format

readability and articulation of main ideas

ideas

Earned Total

100%