Hist 731


April 17, 2006

First drafts are not expected to be complete, but they have to provide a comprehensive sense of your project. Annotations and sources may also not be complete, but you have to indicate what your major primary and secondary sources are. Obviously, students presenting in the first week are not expected to have their papers as developed as those presenting in the third week. Remember—both as writer and as reader—that the purpose of circulating and discussing first drafts is to provide feedback, suggestions, etc.

Students will print up a copy of this sheet for each first draft. A thoughtfully filled out evaluation for each draft is due at the time of the seminar.  - from the class syllabus

Essay List

Here are some thoughts jotted down, quotes taken, and stuff relating to my Research Seminar class.

February 2, 2006
Thoughts on the agency of man by Samuel Smiles.

List of Due Dates:


For this research seminar to work it is essential that students work at a steady pace throughout the semester. That means defining a topic no later than the third week of the semester and following the schedule of submissions described below. This process--which includes your preparation and participation in our class meetings--will form 30 of your final grade, as described below:

  • February 9
    • Topic should be identified
  • February 16
    • Inform me of your topic and of 3 sources that seem central to it.
  • March 9
    • Topic Statement, Research Plan and Preliminary Annotated Bibliography
    • Describe in a few concise paragraphs your topic/problem/issue. How will you research your topic? Annotated bibliography should have at least 8 sources, combining secondary and primary as much as possible.
  • March 30
    • Outline and Introduction
    • Outline covering main elements of the essay and a 2-4 page introduction stating main theme/problem, your approach and the broad outlines of the paper.
  • April 13, April 20, April 27
    • First Draft
    • Draft that is 75-80 complete.  This should be based on both secondary and primary sources; it should provide whatever basic narrative is required for your topic and should demonstrate your ability to analyze and interpret. Should include references.
  • April 20, April 27 and May 4
    • Discussion of drafts
    • Students will have to read and critique each others’ drafts. All students will need to submit a Response From for each essay. Response From will be provided and it will ask you to give numerical points to various aspects of the drafts as well as provide written commentary on topic, research, argument and presentation.
  • May 11
    • Final draft  (70 of grade)
    • Edited, professional level draft with annotated bibliography
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