3-5 page History paper using an article my professor has provided.

Writing Assignment: US History to 1877 This assignment is intended to improve the student’s writing and analytic skills. Students will write a 3-5-page essay paper based on one of the articles posted on Canvas. a) Select one article from the ones posted on Canvas b) Determine the author’s thesis for that chapter. What is the author’s argument? c) Write a three to five page subjective essay, double spaced, Times New Roman 12, minimum 1,000 words, on the approved article. Your name, the class, and the semester/year should be in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of your paper. The paper should have your own title, centered at the top of the first page. Below your title should be a full citation of the article. Example: Your Name Class Semester, Year Your Own Title An analysis of: Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Article in Quotes.” Journal Title volume: number (Month, Year of Publication), page numbers. Example of article citation: Ida Altman. “Spanish Society in Mexico City after the Conquest.” Hispanic American Historical Review 71:3 (August, 1991), 413-445. The citation should be located just below the title of your paper at the top of the first page. The paper must be at least three full pages to get full credit. I will grade down for papers that are 2 3/4, 2 7/8, 2 15/16 pages in length. If the top third of your paper is taken up by your class information, the title of your paper and the article citation, you must go to a third of a page from the top of page 4 for you paper to be three full pages. Always retain graded work and always make copies of your work! Six Steps in Writing an Essay One: Go over the reading and develop a thesis—what it is you are going to argue in your paper. Two: Write an opening paragraph presenting the author’s and what you will argue in your paper. Three: Back up your arguments with examples from the article. When citing a particular example or passage, note the source and page number in parenthesis e.g., (Altman, 420). Do not use long quotes—use your own words. Four: End your paper with a concluding paragraph that summarizes the argument or arguments you have presented in your paper. Five: Read each sentence of your paper out loud. You can weed out poor and/or incomprehensible sentences by reading your paper out loud. This is writing and grammar assignment as well as a history assignment. Bad writing can destroy the most brilliant thesis, while good writing can make a commonplace argument appear profound. Six: Check your paper for correct spelling and punctuation ("spell check" on word processing programs are helpful for this). Note: Always make a hard copy of your paper for your records and keep a copy on your computer. This is not a research paper; your paper should be only on the assigned article. I do not want students to consult numerous sources, and I will not accept papers with citations from multiple sources. Students may consult the internet and textbook if needed, but the focus of this paper should be on the article you select. Students should keep in mind that the professor is very aware of all reviews already in print in libraries or on the web. Do not plagiarize!! Writing is a very difficult craft, and I would be happy to review your paper provided: 1. You write a complete 3-5-page, double spaced, typed draft following the above outline. 2. You give me a rough draft two weeks before the paper is due. 3. You accept my edits and advice with good grace and spirit. Don’t be defensive about my editing suggestions—you are the apprentice and I am the craftsman. Even great writers ask colleagues to edit their writing, so don’t be offended by my editing suggestions. Hints for better writing: 1. Avoid adverbs (“ly” words). “President Jackson ordered the expulsion of the Indians from Georgia, Florida and Alabama,” is stronger than “President Jackson slowly, reluctantly expelled the Indians from Georgia, Florida and Alabama.” 2. Use the active voice and avoid the passive voice. “President Lincoln ignored the Supreme Court order,” is stronger than “The Supreme Court order was ignored by President Lincoln.” 3. One word is almost always better than two.