INSTRUCTIONS for WRITING ASSIGNMENTS in HISTORY 121

“Critical thinking involves reading, discussion, writing, then objectively following the
evidence, evaluating the sources, corralling one's bias, and making
a mature decision based on the most logical interpretation of the facts.” 

Writing. In order to do these projects successfully, your reading and writing skills must be at least at the entry level for English 111. That means that you should have completed ESL if you are not a native speaker.  If you have not taken English 111, and are not sure about things like documentation, use of sources, etc., be sure to read all instructions carefully, including my Writing Tips for Online History Students and How to Avoid Plagiarism. You should also read tips on getting a good grade on writing projects.

Each essay should be based on original sources, including what you see during your site visit.  Your grade on each essay will depend on the thoughtfulness and imagination with which you discuss the topics. The essays provide ample opportunity for enhancing your grade, and I do give credit for improvement. For that reason you should read my comments on returned papers carefully and follow any suggestions in your subsequent papers. Please read the instructions for each project carefully and follow them to the best of your ability. I will return ungraded any essay which does not conform to instructions.

Guidelines for submitting essays:

• Include a title or cover page with your name, instructor's name course number and section and date.
• Include a source page in proper format, including all documents and other resources, including web sites visited.
• Include a header with your last name and page number (which will appear on each page.)
• Print essays double spaced on one side of the paper only, leaving 1 inch margins. (Double space everything, including quotations, but do not put an extra space between paragraphs.)
• Use standard 10 or 12 pitch type font and format paper according to good practice.
• Standard English is required—excessive grammatical errors may affect your grade.
• There is no penalty for correct spelling; use a dictionary if you need to. Use computer spell checkers with caution.
• IMPORTANT: All rules of attribution, quotation and fair use apply for any sources used.
  • Web sites consulted must be identified wherever possible by the name of the site, author, and URL and date accessed.
  • Indicate author, title and page numbers of written works.
  • Place all direct quotes in quotation marks.
  • You may in no case use outside material as your own, and must always document your sources to the best of your ability.
• If submitting by email, use MS Word, Word Perfect or Rich Text Format (.rtf).

Short Essays: Each short essay is worth 25 points. I will not grade them in detail, but will give full credit if you follow directions. See Instructions for 121 and 122.

Essay 1: Biographical sketch using original sources (4-5 pages, 100 points). This essay asks you to provide a brief sketch of a historic figure from the period of study covered by this course.  The figure should be a real person from any realm of human endeavor: political, artistic, financial and industrial, literary or journalistic, or any other field which makes the person  historically relevant. In writing your essay you should endeavor to draw upon original works of the person involved such as letters, speeches, or other documents, or writings about the person such as biographies or other articles. Essay 1 Guide

Essay 2: Historic Film Critique (4-5 pages, 100 points). The purpose of this essay is for you to examine in a film about historic events and write an essay in which you assess the success with which the film accurately portrays historic events or people. While filmmakers are granted a certain amount of artistic license in making interesting and entertaining productions for the screen, they should nevertheless refrain from deliberate distortions of history.  Your job for this essay is to assess the success with which they have accomplished that goal. A list of recommended films is provided. If you wish to do a different film, it must deal with real historic events or persons and be approved in advance. Instructions for Essay 2.

Essay 3: Site Visit Essay (7-10 pages, 150 points). This project requires an essay on any topic relevant to your course, History 121 (1607-1865), and includes a site visit. You should research the topic and site you plan to visit in advance. Then draft your essay, make your site visit, taking notes on what you observe. After your visit, revise your essay draft based on your visit and any additional research you may need to do. Your research may be “modified” to the extent that you do not have to use sources beyond what is on this web site, though you are encouraged to do so.

Examples of suggested topics for site visit essay:

• Life in Colonial Virginia and visit to the Jamestown Memorial or Colonial Williamsburg.
• The American Revolution and the Yorktown Battlefield National Park.
• Biographical sketch of George Washington and visit to Mt. Vernon.
• Biographical sketch of Thomas Jefferson and visit to Monticello.
• Essay on the the American Revolution or Constitution and visit to Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
• Biographical sketch of James Madison and visit Montpelier in Orange, VA.
• Biographical sketch of John Marshall and visit to the Marshall House in Richmond.
• Essay on Andrew Jackson and visit to The Hermitage in Nashville.
• Essay on the Women's Movement and Visit to the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York.
• Essay on some aspect of the Civil War and visit to any one of a number or Civil War sites and battlefields in the area.
• Native American History and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington.
• Many additional topics are suggested by exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution. If you are traveling or live out of the Virginia area, our country is rich is resources for historic research in libraries, museums, state capitals and other historic sites.
• The National Museum of American History is an excellent place to visit and can provide information for a variety of topics.
• Additional resources may be found on external History Web Sites.
• More Information on Site Visits

Note: You do not have to do these essays in order, but you should submit one essay by each due date on your course assignment sheet. Note also that you may substitute an extra site visit for at least two of these essays. Site visits are always encouraged.

OPTIONAL PERSONAL HISTORY ESSAY: Please begin your study of history by emailing or posting in the introduction forum a brief personal history essay. Write about your origins and your family. Where did your parents and grandparents come from? How did they get to this country? How have events in American history affected you and your family? You may want to dig into your family past during the semester, and now is a good time to start. This essay is not graded and is optional, but you are strongly encouraged to do it. For an example see my own personal history statement. Your essay does not have to go as far back nor have as much detail as the sample does. Just write as much as you know or can reasonably find out.

SUBMITTING PAPERS: You may submit projects by email as attached files, or you may use U.S. mail or drop off your papers at ELI.
You may use U.S. mail addressed to: J. Sage, History 121 Northern Virginia Community College Extended Learning Institute 8333 Little River Turnpike Annandale, VA 22003-3769 You can also drop off written work at: (Do not use this address for mailing.) Map at right. Extended Learning Institute 8000 Forbes Place, Springfield (Off Braddock Road just outside Beltway, behind Ravensorth SC. Turn onto Port Royal Road.)
Note: If you drop off papers or submit by regular mail, please email me so I can keep an eye out for them. Essays should be submitted according to your current assignments schedule: Assignments. History 121 Home | August 14, 2010