Due April 13 and April 24

Students will submit two research journal entries (2-4 pages each or about 500 to 1,000 words per entry), posted PRIVATE at the course website.  These narrative posts will detail research efforts for the final profile papers.  The first entry (due by Monday, April 13) will describe the nature of the biographical topic and narrate the search for relevant secondary sources, especially in academic books and articles.  The second entry (due by Friday, April 24) will describe the search for relevant primary sources, produced both BY and ABOUT the subject, especially those available in published or digital format.  Journal entries do not require footnotes, but they should include Chicago-style bibliographies and 2 to 3 images, properly captioned and credited.  Additional information will be available on the assignment guidelines at the course site. Entries will be graded on research effort, depth of analysis and quality of prose. Late entries will be penalized up to 5 points each day.

Posting at Course Site

  • Students will be registered at this course WordPress site and will create two posts (categorized as RESEARCH JOURNAL) where they will detail their initial primary and secondary source research efforts (but remember SECONDARY first on April 13 and then primary sources on April 24).   Remember to save these posts as PRIVATE.  For complete posting instructions at WordPress, seen this handout and view this instructional page.

Additional Guidelines

  • Try to settle your topic BEFORE you start researching.  This page contains a list of possibilities but also consult with Prof. Pinsker by email.  You can change topics after starting (or even posting) your research journal entries, but it’s smarter to try to have everything work together.
  • To get started on your research, look at the course’s site web guide, but also remember that often it is easiest to find primary sources only AFTER reviewing some basic secondary (and especially reference) sources.  You can find high quality academic sources via our online library catalog or through database resources such as JSTOR and America: History & Life.  Take advantage of Google Books as well for its full text search capability and extensive snippet view. The most important reference source starting point, however, is American National Biography Online (available through the library database finder.  Also make sure to consult the History research guide from the library.

 

  • Here are two models for research journal posts, though note that these examples (from Jack Spaar, ’26) were from a different class.
  • You can find additional models for research journal posts at the Methods Center and Student Hall of Fame.
  • Journal posts should always try to open with an engaging detail, then provide a brief description of the research topic and types of sources pursued before pivoting to a thesis statement that highlights the main lesson or lessons learned during the research experience.   These “lessons” should focus on the nature of research and how to improve your method –not about your final essay topic.
  • These posts can be written in the first person (“I” pronouns) and should try to narrate or describe the research process in a roughly chronological way.  No footnotes are typically required.
  • The main goal of this assignment is to help future students demystify the research process.  Try to make it easier for them to succeed by learning from your experience.
  • At the end of the narrative section of the post (about 500 to 1,000 words), please add a bibliography of at least six sources in alphabetical order (by author last name) and in proper Chicago style that you discovered from the appropriate category (either primary or secondary).  Please consult as needed with the library’s Chicago-style guide, but make sure to use sample BIBLIOGRAPHY models for formatting and NOT footnote examples. Do NOT include reference (or tertiary) sources unless you have no other option.  All of your primary sources can be (and likely will be) published or digitized and available in the main library or online.  You are NOT required to find archival manuscript sources for this assignment.

 

SAMPLE FORMAT FOR BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRIES (adapted from Chicago Manual of Style)

Secondary Sources

Hirsch, Edward. The Heart of American Poetry. New York: Library of America, 2022. [PRINT]

Lepore, Jill.  “‘Paul Revere’s Ride’: Awakening Abolitionists.”  American Educator 35, no. 2  (2011): 28-31. [WEB]

Primary Sources

Harjo, Joy.  Crazy Brave: A Memoir.  New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. [GOOGLE BOOKS]

[Wilkeson, Samuel]. “Details from Our Special Correspondent.” New York Times. July 6, 1863. [HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS]