# How to write a good history paper **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 12, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954 "2005-10-12T20:30:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/1 "2005-10-12T20:30:19Z")
I doing my first research paper in graduate school. I am quite nervous and confused. So how do a I write a history research paper without plagarizing and just paraphasing? Oh yeah, this research paper is about the establishment of a certain womens’ college. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/2 "2005-10-12T21:03:04Z")
A few tips: – Cite your sources. Exhaustively. If you are in the slightest doubt about whether something requires a citation, it probably does. And keep your documentation guide in front of you at all times; do _not_ rely on your memory about the correct format. – Most “research” papers, especially at the graduate level, are really research-and-argument papers. You should interpret the information you find, not just regurgitate it, and have a particular “take” on the topic. In particular, if you’re beginning or ending most of your paragraphs with simple statements of fact (or, worse yet, quotations from your sources), it’s probably a sign that you need to add more of your own synthesis and interpretation. – That said, the absolute best source for any questions you have is your professor, _not_ random strangers on a message board. Apart from a few cranks – and if you happen to be in a class taught by a crank, you have my sympathies – professors _like_ being asked questions before the assignment is due, rather than being forced to read and grade a stack of papers that don’t meet the requirements. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/3 "2005-10-12T21:41:06Z")
You need an angle. For example- The founding of women’s colleges was based on sexist notions The founding of women’s colleges greatly changed the woman’s role in society The founding of women’s colleges was affected by class barriers The founding of women’s colleges was based on the humanist ideals of the ear The founding of women’s colleges was a product of the industrial revolution The founding of this college was different somehow than most Usually what I do is look at what other people have written about a subject, see where I disagree, and figure out why I disagree. Then I use cites from various sources to back up (but never make) my argument. Perhaps the best trick I’ve learned is that a good paper points out at end where it’s arguments need strengthening or where more research should be done. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/4 "2005-10-12T22:23:03Z")
I’m a little confused. You’re in grad school and this is your first major research paper? ---
**Author:** ![Obsidian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/51bf81/32.png) [@Obsidian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obsidian)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/5 "2005-10-13T00:10:41Z")
Make a point, and tell a story. A history paper is not a book report, and it’s not a regurgitation of facts. My general process was to pick a topic (or I was given one), then read everything I could find on it (scaled to the size of the project. A midterm paper had 4 books. My senior thesis had 39). I made notes as I read. Post-its between the pages are your friend. By the time I was done, I’d generally figured out what argument I wanted to make. Sometimes I had to chew on it. This is a good place to pick your proffesor’s brain. Take your notes and talk it out. The next step is to assemble the evidence. Go through your notes and start putting evidence with thoughts and make an outline. Like **even sven** said, you’ll never prove your point, but you can and must back up your theory. Telling a story is how you avoid a paper of mismatched quotes & disjointed paraphrases. If you ever read history books for retail sale, they tell a story. They’re engaging, if they’re any good. They tell the story of their theisis. Maybe this was easy for me because I’m a writer of fiction, but all of the Henry Rutgers Theses that I proofread for friends were simliar. Digest your whole topic, learn about it until you actually understand what you’re writing about, and you won’t need to paraphrase. Tell the story of your argument from start to finish. The only point of your paper is to make that point, whatever it is. The tighter the focus, the more logical the progression, the better the paper. Got me A’s, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/6 "2005-10-13T03:04:25Z")
> [@LaurAnge](#): > > I’m a little confused. You’re in grad school and this is your first major research paper? My question exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/7 "2005-10-13T03:53:13Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > My question exactly. Thirded. Read first. What impressions do you get from the histories you read? What prompted those impressions? From these, form a thesis, a question that you feel hasn’t been answered that needs to be answered to better understand the history. Prove this theory with citations from your readings. If it’s a Master’s level paper, the more primary documentation, the better. This will also help you to avoid plagiarizing (nothing to worry about if you support your own arguments). “…Congressman Smith noted in his memoirs _I Was an Honest Politician…I Stayed Bought_ that Jane Smith’s testimony before the Obsfucation Committee directly influenced his vote in favour of the establishment of Jane Smith’s College for Ladies What Ain’t Got Eddycation…[sup]1[/sup]” Find arguments from other historians whose theses _support_ your argument. Not prove it. Derek Dinkins’ paper on Congressman Smith arguing that the good politician was easily swayed by emotional arguments and therefore not as honest as he’d though himself. Use your primary documentation and secondary sources to prove _your_ thesis. Don’t rehash someone else’s. Be original and critical in your thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/8 "2005-10-13T12:53:06Z")
Along with most others, I find this a concerning question, but I am even more concerned that you are turning to a message board, rather than the university and its many professors, teaching assistants, fellow students, and other staff, for assistance. Virtually every graduate school has either advisors or non-credit seminars that will assist you in learning how to write academic papers well. Odds are that you’re paying tens of thousands of dollars to receive instruction not just in history, but in academic skills in general. Smart as many Dopers are, the services you have bought at your university are far more capable in assisting you than your $19.95 one year membership at the Straight Dope. Get thee to your academic advisor, and say you need help, now. The longer you wait to do that, the more this hit-or-miss learning approach to writing papers will hurt you. Good luck, Ravenman MSc, Diplomatic History ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/9 "2005-10-13T13:43:29Z")
> [@LaurAnge](#): > > I’m a little confused. You’re in grad school and this is your first major research paper? Yes, but this is only my first semester. Discussion is pretty much the same focus in both of my courses. ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/10 "2005-10-13T13:44:44Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > Yes, but this is only my first semester. Discussion is pretty much the same focus in both of my courses. I mean the MAIN focus… ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/11 "2005-10-13T13:50:19Z")
> [@Aguecheek](#): > > Thirded. > > Read first. What impressions do you get from the histories you read? What prompted those impressions? From these, form a thesis, a question that you feel hasn’t been answered that needs to be answered to better understand the history. > > Prove this theory with citations from your readings. If it’s a Master’s level paper, the more primary documentation, the better. This will also help you to avoid plagiarizing (nothing to worry about if you support your own arguments). “…Congressman Smith noted in his memoirs _I Was an Honest Politician…I Stayed Bought_ that Jane Smith’s testimony before the Obsfucation Committee directly influenced his vote in favour of the establishment of Jane Smith’s College for Ladies What Ain’t Got Eddycation…[sup]1[/sup]” > > Find arguments from other historians whose theses _support_ your argument. Not prove it. Derek Dinkins’ paper on Congressman Smith arguing that the good politician was easily swayed by emotional arguments and therefore not as honest as he’d though himself. > > Use your primary documentation and secondary sources to prove _your_ thesis. Don’t rehash someone else’s. Be original and critical in your thinking. This is a history of higher education class. So far, we’re learning about the establishment of the ivy league colleges/universities. Will it be a good idea to compare and contrast the establishment of this womens’ university vs. the ivy leagues? Am I on the right track? ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/12 "2005-10-13T13:52:29Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > Yes, but this is only my first semester. Discussion is pretty much the same focus in both of my courses. The point is: didn’t you have to write MANY history papers as an undergrad? ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/13 "2005-10-13T13:52:57Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Along with most others, I find this a concerning question, but I am even more concerned that you are turning to a message board, rather than the university and its many professors, teaching assistants, fellow students, and other staff, for assistance. Virtually every graduate school has either advisors or non-credit seminars that will assist you in learning how to write academic papers well. Odds are that you’re paying tens of thousands of dollars to receive instruction not just in history, but in academic skills in general. Smart as many Dopers are, the services you have bought at your university are far more capable in assisting you than your $19.95 one year membership at the Straight Dope. > > Get thee to your academic advisor, and say you need help, now. The longer you wait to do that, the more this hit-or-miss learning approach to writing papers will hurt you. > > Good luck, > > Ravenman > MSc, Diplomatic History Yeah you’re right, but I feel so intimidated. I don’t want to come across as imcompetent to these people. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/14 "2005-10-13T13:55:26Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > The point is: didn’t you have to write MANY history papers as an undergrad? Ummm…the answer is like zero. :o In fact, I didn’t take ANY history courses as an undergrad. I only have a vague memory of the history I took in high school. So yeah, I’m kind of behind… ---
**Author:** ![Aguecheek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Aguecheek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aguecheek)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/15 "2005-10-13T15:04:50Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > This is a history of higher education class. So far, we’re learning about the establishment of the ivy league colleges/universities. Will it be a good idea to compare and contrast the establishment of this womens’ university vs. the ivy leagues? Am I on the right track? At this point, I’m going to have to say it’s a good idea to talk to your prof. I am, in no way, the right person to make this call for you. The only way you’ll come across as incompetent is by _not_ discussing your options with your advisors. That’s what they’re there for. Regardless of your undergrad major (may I ask what it was?), the principle’s the same. Develop a thesis and prove it using the evidence at hand. Primary documentation (ie: first-hand reports, memos, memoirs) is always a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/16 "2005-10-13T16:09:01Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > Yeah you’re right, but I feel so intimidated. I don’t want to come across as imcompetent to these people. ☹ Think of it this way: you’ve already been accepted to grad school, and they’re not going to kick you out for asking for help. However, they could kick you out if you get bad grades. That would suck, bigtime. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/17 "2005-10-13T17:43:59Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > This is a history of higher education class. So far, we’re learning about the establishment of the ivy league colleges/universities. Will it be a good idea to compare and contrast the establishment of this womens’ university vs. the ivy leagues? Am I on the right track? The problem will depend on what it is, exactly, that you want to talk about with respect to the women’s college. Is your focus specifically the issue of gender, and the creation of separate spaces for men and women in education and academia? Is your focus a broader one concerned with the changing educational focus of the university, and the shift in focus from the classical curriculum to the German-inspired research model in the late nineteenth century? Are you more ionterested in the place of the women’s college in its immediate geographical and social context? Is it a women’s college that was partnered with an Ivy League school (like Barnard or Vassar), or did it form completely independently? What time period are we talking about here, and is the particular period significant to the bigger story you want to tell? You need, in the first instance, to determine what issue it is that you want to investigate, what problem you need to solve, or what question you want to answer. The direction and focus of your research will flow from that. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/18 "2005-10-13T17:47:19Z")
> [@Diamonds02](#): > > Ummm…the answer is like zero. :o In fact, I didn’t take ANY history courses as an undergrad. I only have a vague memory of the history I took in high school. > > So yeah, I’m kind of behind… Oh! So you must be an education major, then. Okay. Ask your profs for examples of good essays and examine them closely. Argue something, and something SIGNIFICANT. Back up all your points with specific citations, primary sources wherever possible. Do background reading. Ask your profs or peers to read a draft. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/19 "2005-10-13T21:57:46Z")
Just do [this](http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail64.html). Except replace “Englilish” with “History.” ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954/20 "2005-10-14T05:57:04Z")
> [@LaurAnge](#): > > Oh! So you must be an education major, then. > > Okay. Ask your profs for examples of good essays and examine them closely. Argue something, and something SIGNIFICANT. Back up all your points with specific citations, primary sources wherever possible. Do background reading. Ask your profs or peers to read a draft. This is good advice–ask for good examples, but not of essays, rather of research papers. They’re pretty straight forward. But **LaurAnge** makes an excellent point: _all academic writing has an argument_, even research papers. Some people think that a research paper is just an accumulation of previously published materials regarding a specific subject. In fact, you do your reading–lot’s of reading–and then make a conclusion about the subject. Then you compile the previous research to back up your argument. I taught writing at UCLA, and this was one of the hardest points to get across to the undergrads. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-write-a-good-history-paper/325954.md?page=2)