A Pocket
Guide to Writing in History
Fifth Edition
Mary Lynn
Rampolla
(Trinity College)
PREFACE
1. Introduction: Why Study History? Historical questions
How this manual can help you
2. Working with Sources Identifying historical sources
Evaluating sources
3. Reading and Writing in History: Some Typical Assignments Reading critically in history
Writing about reading
Taking history exams
4. Following Conventions of Writing in History Analyzing an assignment
Thinking like an historian
Moving from topic to thesis
Constructing an argument
Organizing your paper
Revising your paper
Considering word choice and grammar
5. Writing a Research Paper Formulating a research question
Developing a research plan
Conducting research
Taking effective research notes
Making an outline
Revising and editing your paper
6. Plagiarism: What It Is and How to Avoid It What is plagiarism?
Avoiding plagiarism
Plagiarism and the Internet
7. Quoting and Documenting Sources Using quotations
Documenting sources
Using quotations and documenting sources: An example
Documentation models
Sample pages from a student research paper
Appendix A. Writing Guides of Interest to Historians
Appendix B. Selected Print and Online Resources in History