Critical Essay Guideline Sheet
U.S. History 1301 and 1302
Over the course of the semester, students are required to write one critical historical essay that is worth 100 points. It is mandatory and must be turned in via turnitin.com (no exceptions and no e-mail or hard copy submissions will be accepted). The essay must have a word count between 1,300 and 1,500 words (actual words not including headings, names, or citations, and a maximum of 25 words for quotes) double-spaced in Times New Roman # 12 font (this is Times New Roman #12 font). Any deviation from the above directions will result in a minimum 10-point penalty for each requirement not met.
It should not read like a narrative but a critical analysis of a period in U.S. history. Students must notify me on what they are to write on, only two students per topic.
Three Steps to a Better History Essay: with Hip Hughes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmbgKRMdibs
Before students start on their essays it is strongly suggested that the students watch the plagiarism videos if students re-unfamiliar with plagiarism. Plagiarism is not tolerated in this class or at TCCD and a grade of zero will be given if an essay is plagiarized or the familiarity report is above 10% (citations, common references and quotes are excluded when I revise the paper). In addition to this, students may not use more than three two one sentence quotes and have at least 1,300 actual words in the body of the paper.
Follow simple/relaxed MLA or APA guidelines however, no outside sources are needed but encouraged; remember this is not a formal term paper. But a critical analysis of these historical events in U.S. History.
Students may use the following sources or analyze the following: historical movies, compilation of You Tube videos, oral histories, or personal events that are historically based. All have to be cleared by the professor.