History Research Project: This project evaluates your ability to think like a historian: formulating a debatable question, defending a clear thesis statement, and supporting it with vetted, professional evidence.
2 min read History Essay Instructions
History Research Project:
This project evaluates your ability to think like a historian: formulating a debatable question, defending a clear thesis statement, and supporting it with vetted, professional evidence.
You have the freedom to present your findings in whatever way fits your personal style and strengths best!
You can choose from any of the following formats. Be sure to reference your sources in your presentation.
🎙 Podcast: Record an audio episode detailing your research and connections. Feel free to use sound effects and get your friends involved! You have had several examples of different podcast styles in this course, so use a style you personally like.
💻 Slide Presentation: Create a visually engaging slide deck with text and images. You can use any slide presentation software you like, as long as your slides are viewable. PowerPoint, Prezi, Canva, or another option!
📹 Video Presentation: Record yourself presenting your topic (great if you prefer a mix of audio and visuals). Feel free to dress up and get in character, do a mock interview, or a serious video. Feel free to include clips and slides if you have the technical knowledge to do that.
📝 Written Paper: Write a traditional research essay exploring your chosen topic. Use Chicago Manual Style as that is the professional historian's style.
Pre-Submission Checklist:
[ ] The Disagreement Test: Read your thesis statement out loud. Could a classmate realistically say, "I see why you argue that, but I look at the evidence and disagree"? If yes, you have an argument. If it’s a statement of plain fact that no one can dispute, tweak your thesis!
[ ] The Source Check: Are at least two of your secondary sources pulled directly from the NTCC Library databases or acceptable locations like JSTOR or EBSCOhost? (Remember, general internet searches and encyclopedias do not count toward your required minimums!). Do you reference ALL of your sources, including the course textbook, at some point in our project?
[ ] The Evidence Anchor: Did you include at least one raw piece of evidence from the time period itself (a letter, a quote from a diary, a historical map, a law passed at the time) to anchor your claims?
