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GUIDELINES FOR FIRST PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Tutorial Leaders: Mark Abraham, Eric Payseur, Terry Wilde

Your first paper, due in tutorial the week of October 17, is a 3-5 page critical analysis of ONE (1) of the following scholarly articles:

Barbara Clark Smith, "Food Rioters and the American Revolution," William and Mary Quarterly 51 (1994): 3-38.

Virginia DeJohn Anderson, "King Philip’s Herds: Indians, Colonists, and the Problem of Livestock in Early New England," William and Mary Quarterly 51 (1994): 601-624.

Both articles are available online through York University Libraries. On the Library Home Page, find e-Resources Quick Search, and type “William and Mary Quarterly.” When the “William and Mary Quarterly” link appears, click on “browse this journal” and follow the links to vol. 51 (1994). Then choose which article you want (hint: look at the page numbers) and print it out. Please note: if you are using an off-campus computer, you must have an active library card and sign in through E-Resources Remote Access.

The purpose of this assignment is to improve your ability to read critically and write clearly. These skills are necessary to write an effective history paper, and they will be useful wherever your academic interests and career path may take you. In evaluating the papers, instructors will consider (1) how well you have understood the article, (2) the thoughtfulness of your analysis; and (3) the clarity of your prose.

Your paper should include both a brief summary of the article and a critical assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. Begin your study by making sure you understand the article. Ask yourself the questions in the handout "How to Read a History Book (or Article)." Think about the author's method, underlying assumptions, and sources, and ask yourself if the evidence supports the author's thesis. Could the same facts be used to support a different thesis?

It is difficult to organize an effective paper, but you may find the following structure a useful guide. In the first paragraph, or even the first sentence, state your thesis (or opinion) about the article. Describe the author's thesis, evidence, and assumptions early in the paper. Summarize the main point of the article, noting the author’s underlying assumptions (viewpoint) as well as her/his thesis. Then describe the evidence the author uses to support that thesis. Next, you should critically evaluate the article. Evaluate the author’s use of evidence, and say whether you find the argument convincing. Remember that it is not enough to say simply that you like or dislike the article; you must say why. For example, do you find the article unconvincing because the author does not provide enough (or the right kind of) evidence to support her/his conclusions? Or do you disagree with the author's underlying assumptions? You may choose to compare the article with another work on a similar subject. Conclude with a final assessment of the article.

Please be considerate and put your paper in proper form. Make sure you include the name of the author, the title of the article, and full publication information (e.g., the name of the journal or book, the publication date, and page numbers) in your paper. You do not need to use footnotes, but if you quote or refer to a specific passage in the article, you should put the page number in “parentheses.” (p. 17) Lifting sentences directly out of the article without quotation marks and a page reference is plagiarism. Also, please make sure you number the pages, check for spelling errors and typos. Attach your notes and rough drafts to your essay. Late papers without an extension from your tutorial leader will be penalized.

Suggestions for Further Reading: Robert Frakes, Writing for College History (2004); Victor Shea & William Whitla, Foundations: Critical thinking, reading and writing, 2nd ed. (2005)