If you are writing a paper on, say, British responses to the rebellion in India in 1857, don't open with a statement like this: “Throughout human history people in all cultures everywhere in the world have engaged in many and long-running conflicts about numerous aspects of government policy and diplomatic issues, which have much interested historians and generated historical theories in many areas.” This is pure garbage, bores the reader, and is a sure sign that you have nothing substantive to say. Making Sure your History Paper has Substance Get off to a good start.Īvoid pretentious, vapid beginnings. You have no clear thesis and little analysis. You write too much in the passive voice.ġ. You are vague or have empty, unsupported generalizations.ĥ. You have written a careless “one-draft wonder.” (See revise and proofread)Ħ. You engage in cheap, anachronistic moralizing.ħ. (Drawn from a survey of the History Department)ġ0. Top Ten Reasons for Negative Comments on History Papers
Making Sure your History Paper has Substance.
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