Read the article carefully and completely.  Take notes on the key points in each section and organize them in the following manner in preparation to write the paper.

a. The first paragraph of your essay: i. What is the author’s primary argument?  You should be able to state this in one sentence.  Be clear and concise.

ii. Summarize the source material used to defend the argument.  Explain what types of sources are used (government documents, letters, military records, newspapers, books, other academic articles, etc.).

iii. To be clear:  Source material is found in the bibliographic documentation provided by the author.  Depending on your article, this documentation can be found at the end of the article in a “Notes”,      “Bibliography”, “References”, or “Works Cited” section.  Some authors place this documentation at the bottom of each page.  These notes are known as “footnotes.”

b. The second paragraph of your essay: i. Provide a summary of the article’s content.  What important people, places, and events are examined?

c. The third paragraph of your essay: i. In your view, what are the article’s strengths?  That is, what did the author do well?

d. The fourth paragraph of your essay: i. In your view, what are the articles weaknesses?  That is, what could the author have done better?

4. Write a paper addressing the items listed in #3 above.

5. Review the “Article Review Paper: Guidelines” provided below.  These guidelines include content reminders and instructions related to formatting, editing, and submitting the paper.

6. Reminders: (1) Put your name on the paper; (2) Place the bibliographic citation for your chosen article at the top of the first page.

1. Use the paragraph outline provided on the course syllabus to organize your essay.  Be sure to address all of the items listed.

2. Each paragraph should be a minimum of five to six sentences.  Of course, if you need to provide a complete explanation of the various items, you should write more.

3. Since you will be allowed to rely directly on the article in writing your paper, I will expect a quality response.  I will pay special attention to your explanation of examples.  Don’t just list an example.  Explain it completely, and tell me why it is an example.

Formatting your paper

1. Type your name in the upper left-hand corner.

2. Type the bibliographic citation of your chosen article on the first line of the paper (author’s name, title, etc.).

3. Spacing:  Double space

4. Font size:  12 pt.

5. Margins:  one-inch

Editing your paper

1. Paragraphs:  Begin each new paragraph with an indent.

2. Sentences:  Write in complete, grammatically correct sentences.

3. Editing:  Spell-check your paper.  Edit it for proper style and grammar.

4. Use of direct quotes:  If you directly quote from the article, be sure to include a parenthetical citation showing the page number.

5. Important:  Explain concepts in your own words:  While the occasional use of a direct quote is OK, do not simply copy your authors words throughout.  When I grade your paper, I plan to focus on the extent to which you are able to explain things in your own words.  This is the only way for me to know that you did the reading and understand it.  Papers that are simply a string of direct quotes will not receive very high marks.