America’s Involvement in WWI:
Writing Assignment 1 allows you, early in the course, to demonstrate your research skills to your instructor and to receive feedback that will benefit you when you write a research paper.
This assignment shall consist of at least three double-spaced pages of text (Times New Roman, font size 12), not including the title and citation pages, and must be based on a minimum of two academically credible sources. Bibliographies and citations will be in the Chicago Manual of Style format.
The subject of the paper may be any topic dealing with American history that falls largely within the period between 1877 and 1920. The choice is yours, but it is highly recommended that you choose a topic that is narrowly focused. For example, instead of World War I — which is far too broad — you might discuss a particular battle or some other U.S.-related development within that conflict. Likewise with a major historical figure, do not try to write a biography of someone like Theodore or Franklin Roosevelt — about whom many volumes have been written — but instead focus on some segment of their lives (for instance, Theodore Roosevelt’s military exploits or Franklin Roosevelt’s reelection inf 1936).
The point is not to get too spread out, sacrificing depth for breadth.
If you use any of the information from your sources word-for-word, you must cite the source by using endnotes or footnotes. If you read the information and write it in your own words and it is not common knowledge, then you must cite the source because you are paraphrasing someone’s information.
The short paper must include a cover page with your name, course number and course title, instructor’s name, and date. It must also include a bibliography at the end of the paper. While composing the paper, use proper English. Do not use abbreviations, contractions, passive voice, or first/ second person pronouns (I, you, we, our, etc). Before submitting the paper, check the grammar and use spell check. Remember, the way you talk is not the way you write a paper.