Writing History Papers

In writing this guide we have assumed that you are doing a rather extensive term paper or perhaps an honors essay. Thus we progress from a brief discussion of selecting a topic, the necessary first step in writing a paper, to the preparation of a bibliography, the last part of the finished paper. Since this is intended to be a very practical, easily used guide, we have deliberately excluded such important subjects as the nature and philosophy of history and the development of the discipline. Admirable topics for study, their inclusion would have resulted in a quite different and a much longer work.

Researching and writing history can be fun, and we hope that you will enjoy doing it. Don’t let yourself be dismayed by research techniques that may be new to you. Master the basic techniques of research and you will be free to concentrate on the more important content of your paper. Technique is essential, but it should never be considered an end in itself.