Research Paper: Final Instructions

Write a research paper of 7–8 pages that is suitable for presentation at a scholarly conference. The paper must address a clearly-stated thesis. The thesis must be a significant statement about a significant topic related to this course. The paper must be tightly focused on supporting the thesis statement. All arguments must build toward that central argument.

The paper must be thoroughly researched. You must use at least 20 sources, at least 5 of which must be primary. Make good use of your sources, carefully comparing and collating information rather than relying on one or two sources to the virtual exclusion of others. Make especially good use of your primary sources, keeping in mind that the primary source information is what makes a paper worthy of presentation at a scholarly conference. Remember that at the graduate (i.e., professional) level, people are more likely to ask how many good sources you omitted than how many you used.

The paper must be clearly written. Strive for clarity. Do not try to be eloquent. Be clear, and let eloquence take care of itself. Avoid jargon and clichés. Avoid useless additional verbiage. If a word can be omitted without loss of clarity, omit it. Avoid the passive voice except for situations in which it is necessary in order to make your meaning clear. Avoid errors in grammar and spelling.