How to Write a Good History Paper

How to Avoid Plagiarism

Special Note on History Research Papers for History Majors
Two research papers are required of all history majors. They are to be written in the junior and senior colloquium courses (Hist. 487, 488, or 489). History majors who have a compelling reason for writing their junior or senior research paper in another course should petition the Director of Undergraduate Studies for exemption prior to taking a substitute course. Students must declare to the instructor their intent to write the research paper at the beginning of the semester. Arrangements as to topic, source material, length, etc., will be worked out in each case between the individual student and instructor at the beginning of the semester. The paper where possible will make significant use of primary sources (in translation where necessary). The paper should be between 4000 and 6000 words in length. (With ordinary typeface and double spacing, one page contains about 250 words; therefore, 4000 words is approximately 16 pages and 6000 words is approximately 24 pages.) To fulfill the history research paper requirement, the paper must attain a minimum grade of "C". In satisfying the requirement the student should bear in mind the following:

• A term paper, even though written in the junior or senior year, does not automatically become the "required" history research paper for that year.
• Good research papers cannot be written on a rush basis. The student must begin work as early as possible and set up a schedule with the instructor for discussion of drafts during the semester.
• Under no circumstances will a routine paper done in some past course be re-designated later as a "departmental requirement" research paper.