Specific Assignment Details
- Bibliography should have at least 5 secondary sources and 2 primary sources
- There should be a section with the subheading “primary sources” and another with “secondary sources”
- While there is no page limit, I would expect at least two pages, single-spaced worth of material for this to be of academic value
- Times New Roman Style, 12 point font, 1 inch margins on all sides
Primary Sources for Research
How do historians study history?
Just as detectives have their own devices to examine crime scenes, historians unravel mysteries of the past using their own tools–primary and secondary sources. A primary source is something created during the time period under study. In world history this could be man-made items such as letters, journals and diaries, paintings, musical instruments or written music, photographs, videos, weapons, tools, clothing, architecture, pottery, jewelry, methods of transportation, legal or tax documents, furniture, tombs and coffins, and a variety of other constructions. It could also be naturally-created items such as tree ring layers, sediment layers in a rock face, or the bones of an animal frozen in a layer of ice. In modern times, you could also add to the list social media posts (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube), emails, films, digital music, video games, and a variety of other technological creations. Secondary sources are writings from individuals about primary sources. These could be biographies, scholarly articles, or other academic books. One of the best ways for historians to better understand a question about the past is to read about what other historians have already figured out. Historians treat either of these types of sources as valuable clues in the investigation of the past. They also borrow methods and ideas from other academic disciplines to piece together an historical enigma. In the study of modern history, psychologists, geographers, economists, political scientists, and sociologists are often strong allies in the pursuit of truth as they tend to ask and answer similar questions that historians do.
Primary Source Collections
Below are a variety of primary source collections that may aid you in tracking down evidence you are looking for to support your annotated bibliography or argumentative essay. Good luck!
U.S. History Primary Sources by UC San Diego – extensive collection of primary source collections.
Library of Congress – various sets of primary sources related to various events in U.S. History.
National Archives– a massive collection of primary sources from U.S. History.
Primary Source Collection by West Sound Academy Library – good collection of collections on World History sources. Keep in mind some of the links no longer work.
Avalon Project by Yale University Law School – various documents from multiple time periods.
Civil Rights Digital Library by University of Georgia – primary sources from the Civil Rights Movement and its leaders.
MPC Databases by Monterey Peninsula College – I recommend Academic Search Complete, JSTOR, Films on Demand, and Kanopy. (How to use MPC Databases Videos)
Grading Rubric
(45-50) (A) –Demonstrates an excellent understanding of the assignment. Instructions were followed. Followed Chicago Manual Style properly. Writing is articulate and sophisticated. There are few grammatical mistakes, format instructions were followed, and overall the paper is well written. Paper has at least two single-spaced pages. There are at least 2 primary and 5 secondary sources in appropriate subsections. Bibliography avoids grammatical, typographical, format, and citation errors. Demonstrates that the research is broad and thorough.
(40-44) (B) –Demonstrates a good understanding of the assignment. Paper may have less than two single-spaced pages of analysis. Writing is above average, but lacks some critical thinking. Essay may have grammatical, typographical, format, and citation errors. May have less sources than asked for. May demonstrate less thorough research.
(35-39) (C) –Demonstrates a general understanding of the assignment. Paper may have less than two single-spaced pages of analysis. Writing is average, lacking deeper analysis of topic. Essay has grammatical, typographical, format, and citation errors. Paper has less sources than asked for. Demonstrates less thorough research.
(30-34) (D) –Demonstrates an unclear understanding of the assignment. Paper may have less than two single-spaced pages of analysis. Below average writing which lacks preparation and analysis of the topic. Essay has multiple grammatical, typographical, format, and citation errors. Paper has less sources than asked for. Demonstrates poor research.
(0-29) (F) –Demonstrates a less than competent understanding of the assignment and/or is incomplete. Paper has less than two single-spaced pages of analysis. Paper contains poor writing which lacks preparation and analysis of the topic. Essay has widespread grammatical, typographical, format, and citation errors. Paper has less sources than asked for. Demonstrates poor research. Paper contains plagiarism in any form.