History 101  Spring 2002

 

First Essay

Choose a theme in one (or both) of the first two primary sources in course booklet 1: (Le Grand d’Aussy’s Voyage to Auvergne; F. Y. Bernard, Mémoires d’un Nonagenaire). Write a two or three-page analysis of the source that makes an argument and supports it with specific evidence from the source(s).  Some place in the essay, briefly state the relationship of your argument with a point in one of the secondary sources that we’ve read so far (Cavanaugh, Roche, or Smith). DUE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, BY 5 P.M. IN MY MAIL BOX, 310 SKINNER.

By 12 Noon, Wednesday, February 13, post on the course discussion forum (http://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist101/forum/) an abstract of your ideas for the essay using the form that follows. Be succinct and distill your ideas for each item in several sentences.

Theme:

Argument:

Supporting Evidence: (2 examples)

Connection:

 

By 5 p.m. Friday, February 15, e-mail a draft of your essay to Tina (kmgross@mtholyoke.edu) so that she can read it over and give your suggestions where appropriate.

 

 

Check List:

 

1. Your paper presents a documented interpretation, thesis, or argument.  (Recall the difference between summary/description and analysis and interpretation.)

2.  The paper contains an introduction that states or foreshadows in specific terms the thesis of your essay.  Write the final version of your introduction after you’ve completed your essay.

3. At the end of the paper, there is a meaningful conclusion that sums up precisely your major points and explains what you think is the historical significance of your findings, i.e., what is historically important and/or interesting.

4. Ideas and judgments are supported with specific evidence.

5. Statements and vocabulary are accurate and precise; concrete and specific terms are used in preference to abstract and overly general ones:  "daffodils" is concrete as compared to the abstract and general term "plants."

6. Paragraphs are focused on one major point and include effective topic sentences.

7. Transitions are used to make clear the connections between the discussion of your topics or subjects.

8.  Use parenthetical references to acknowledge and identify the sources of your information and ideas. (author page)

9. Quotations: use direct quotations parsimoniously and effectively , i.e. when they add something special to your discussion which would be lost if paraphrased.  The consistent voice in the paper should be yours.

10. Proofread your paper carefully so that it is free of mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and spelling[RMS1] .