More directions for the Mini-Research Paper

SPARTANS,

Taimi had some good questions and points about the research paper that I'd like to clarify for everyone:

1) Font and size: Font should be Times New Roman, Courier, or Book Antiqua; 11 or 12 point.

2) Word limit: The word limit for the paper is 800 words. I know that some of your reading response assignments exceed this limit already, but there is a point to the restriction. I want students to be more selective, conscious and disciplined about word choice and writing overall.

3) Writing about the present: This is a historical research paper, but one of the points I want students to get is that there are connections between the past and the present. This should be evident in your paper, particularly in numbers 3, 6, and 7. For example, on #3 you do not have to exclusively write about leaders or figures from the distant past. You can write about more contemporary figures, as well. Native Americans are an important group of people in American history, but they did not stop existing after the closing of the western frontier. Similarly, the nostalgic view many may have about Native Americans is inaccurate. Native Americans don't all live on reservations, nor wear eagle feather headresses, nor hunt for buffalo. Students should recognize distinctions and connections between the past and present.

4) Title page: The information on title page can be double-spaced.

5) Page numbering: The title page does not count as page 1. You may number the pages of the paper.