5 History Paper Tips From A History Major
Start writing a post

5 History Paper Tips From A History Major

You'll thank me later

38
5 History Paper Tips From A History Major

Everybody and I mean everybody has to take a history class at some point in their college career. Some love it, others hate it, but everyone has to do it.

A likely part of the history class is a history paper. For some reason, this assignment is incredibly hard for people to deal with. As a history major, let me give you some tips.

Note, I will not be talking about Chicago citations since there are better sources for that than me.

1. Have a good thesis

The thesis is the road map for your paper. Your thesis should pave the way for your paper. If your thesis goes 1 2 3 then your paper goes 1 2 3. If you can get your thesis to work and be the road map that it should your paper will fall right into place

2. Read your sources and read them correctly 

The first part of this should go without saying but I'll say it anyway. Read your sources for your paper. If your professor says to write a paper using books X and Y, read X and Y. Now a little trick to actually reading those books.

If the book is an analytical book then read the intro and conclusion of the book thoroughly, the middle can be skimmed. Historians but the bulk of the important parts in the intro and conclusion.

If the book is a story then you'll have to suffer through it.

3. Don't wait till the night before 

This is true of all papers so I'll add it in. Some people can work great under pressure, a lot of people can't. Don't spend the night before writing the paper but instead edit the paper.

4. Use Google Translate

Speaking of editing. Use Google Translate to edit. I can hear some of your confusion as I write this. If you copy paste parts of your paper into Google Translate and hit the listen button. It will make errors very clear that you might otherwise miss. It also helps detect sentence flow which can help.

5 Do not use contractions 

This one depends on the teacher but applies to most. Contractions are a big no no in history papers. Lots of contractions will turn a once A grade paper into a C grade paper real fast. So avoid them like the plague

Those are 5 tips for a history paper from a history major. Now I hope you all can write better history papers. This list is far from complete but it should help nonetheless.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

91080
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

64641
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments