Antebellum Research Paper (Stoe)

Welcome

It was a pleasure to meet with everyone in class on last week. If you were absent, or just want a review, here are the topics and resources we discussed. As always, do not hesitate to stop by or email me directly with your specific research questions.

Developing a Focused Research Topic

Part of the challenge of this second semester assignment is that YOU need to choose the question and then answer it. Focusing a research topic is one of the most challenging and important steps; if you don't choose something appropriately challenging AND manageable, you won't be able to succeed in later stages.

Ask yourself:

• Could a reasonable person disagree? (debatable)

• Can it be answered through evidence, not just opinion? (objective)

  • Can it be answered in 5 to 6 pages? (focused)

For history, consider causes and effects; how and why, rather than simply who, what, and when type questions. Your thesis is the answer to your research question. It controls your entire paper. If you're not sure about your research question or thesis, speak with your teacher BEFORE you get too far into the process!

Recommended Databases

These are the most important databases we discussed:

• American History Online

• Spans more than 500 years of political, military, social, and cultural history, highlighting the important people and events of the American experience.

• U.S. History in Context

  • Authoritative content on hundreds of people, events, and topics in American history.

• Gale Virtual Reference Library (Gale)

• You can search within the entire history collection but what's REALLY powerful here is the ability to browse or search within a SINGLE VOLUME of the American Eras collection. Look at Vol. 5: The Reform Era and Eastern U.S. Development and Vol. 6: Westward Expansion 1800-1860 in particular. This is a great way to narrow your search if you have a broad topic like international trade or the role of women and are trying to determine key developments in this narrow time period.

These scholarly article databases may be useful for going into greater depth in your topic:

• Academic OneFile

  • Your source for scholarly articles. These will be much more focused and in-depth than much of the history database content, so search here after you've narrowed down your thesis.

  • JSTOR [you will need a Boston Public Library e-card to access!]

  • Graduate students in the social sciences use JSTOR for their research. Try this if you are looking for even more scholarly sources.

Books and e-Books

We have lots of great print resources as well. Consider books on your topic specifically as well as books on the time period (e.g., antebellum United States) or theme (e.g., immigration), then use the index and table of contents to home in on your area of focus.

• Media Center Online Catalog

  • We have good books on these topics! Really!

• Minuteman Library Catalog

  • Set your library location to Arlington to view materials currently available at the Robbins Library.

Citing Sources & Academic Integrity

Why cite sources? In addition to avoiding the severe consequences of plagiarism, you cite sources to increase your own credibility, and because you are participating in an ongoing scholarly conversation. It is important for your readers to be able to follow your sources, so they can enter into the dialogue as well.

For this assignment, use your subscription EasyBib account through your Spyponders email address, which will give you access to paid features.

You will know you have access to the paid subscription features when you see the PRO and FOR INSTITUTIONS blue badges at the top of your screen. If you are missing these badges, ask the librarian for our coupon code!

Other resources for citation:

• Arlington High School Research Handbook

  • Created by Arlington High School teachers for Arlington High School students, this guide explains the research process and what will be expected of you.

  • Research and Documentation Online (Diana Hacker)

  • Detailed explanation of in-text citations and works cited entries in perfect MLA format for a wide variety of sources.