Research Paper Guidelines

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Research Paper Guidelines (Mechanics and other notes)

  1. Essays should be typed in readable (common), 12-point font and double-spaced.(e.g. New Times Roman, Courier New, or Calibri). All essays too, should be between 12-20 pages in length (the text, not including the bibliography and Endnotes [or footnotes].  Again, at least 12 pp. of Text is required.
  2. Limit direct quotes and introduce quotes smoothly. For example, integrate direct quotes into sentences in your own words to make a point.
  3. Absolutely no block quotes.
  4. Essays should have a descriptive title (describing the topic in detail including dates and chronology, e.g. ‘The Civil Rights Movement and Popular Protest in Memphis Tennessee, 1960-1968’) and hopefully creative title
  5. Essays should be written following the Chicago Manuel of Style or Turabian utilizing either endnotes or footnotes
  6. Essays should have a minimum of 15 sources reasonably distributed between primary and secondary sources. Bibliographies should also be divided between Primary (first-hand) secondary sources.  Divide the bibliography accordingly into two separate sections, one for primary sources, the other for secondary.
  7. Pay close attention to how different sources are cited, including indentions, punctuation, etc. For example, below is the proper method to cite a journal article:

     [1]See below 

Different kinds of books are cited different ways; consult the style manuals for correct citation of books by one author, anthologies, books with editors, etc. 

  1. Follow essay form: All essays should have an introduction that contains a strong, bold, clear (both general and specific) argument or thesis that lays out the paper’s conclusions.  Introductions should be edited the most and thought about more carefully than the rest of the paper.  The body of the paper is where evidence (sources) should be marshaled to support the argument in the introduction.  The evidence should have a direct connection and relevance to the argument, or the writer should make these connections in his own words.  Utilize direct quotes sparingly. Each paragraph should have a citation which indicates where the writer is acquiring the evidence to back a particular claim.  The essay’s conclusion should be in some form or fashion, a summation of the main argument, or just a restatement of thesis to drive the point home to the reader. 
  2. Organization. All papers should have some semblance of an organization. Essays can be organized chronologically or topically.   Since change over time defines good history, essays should read much like a story, or a narrative.  So framing essays beginning with the earliest dates and proceeding chronologically is the easiest way to organize papers.  Optimally, essays include both chronological and topical organization.  Paragraphs are vital in organization.  Essays should avoid paragraphs which run more than a page. 
  3. Essays should follow all formal writing guidelines.
  4. Completing successful research papers is a process. The process begins with selecting a relevant topic, (preferably one which interests you) and researching (and hopefully finding) primary and secondary sources.  After finding enough sources to craft a 12-20 pp. paper, begin taking notes that will become the text of the essay. Note that if you do not find adequate sources, consider altering or changing the topic of the paper.  Some sources, too may alter the paper’s focus or emphasis of the essay.  In short, the sources should guide the direction of the paper despite initial assumptions about the particular topic.  *Most Important*–Avoid making definitive conclusions until the END of the writing process.  

 Take each step in the process seriously.  One of the most important steps in completion of a long essay is editing. 

  1. Editing does not just include looking for simple mistakes in spelling and punctuation, but includes analyzing organization, word choice, tone and flow of the essay. Take care of the obvious mistakes first (deviations from the formal style, grammar, spelling) before moving on to organization and word choice. Writing a quality essay includes re-writing and editing the essay, in some cases, several times. Furthermore, last-minute writing and editing does not work.  Write first and second drafts ahead of time and allow them to “sit,” before re-reading and editing them further.
  2. Have the writing center or a friend/colleague edit the essay; having another set of eyes examine the paper improves the editing process. *note*–Students should be careful in who they select to read the paper.  Someone with at least a bachelor’s degree in some liberal arts field would suffice; someone with an advanced (masters’) degree would be even better.
  3. Several style books exist to assist with effective writing. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White are very popular and effective. 
  4. Selecting a topic (early) and continually progressing (and refining the topic) and working on the paper is essential for producing a quality work at the end of the semester.

 [1] Coleman Wagner, “Freret’s Century: Growth, Identity and Loss in a New Orleans Neighborhood,” Louisiana History 42 (2001): 343.