Research for a Historical Essay/Paper

At times, the research process for an academic essay/paper can seem like a daunting task, but there's no reason to be discouraged--as long as you sift through the information you have access to (whether they be digital or physical sources) with the proper techniques and the discerning eye of a historian, you'll be able to efficiently organize the main ideas presented in your research and correlate them with the focus of your assignment. Even if you're a newcomer to this craft, there are plenty of resources that can assist you in the development of your academic skills.

Steps

  1. Discover the "big picture". Go to your local library and/or bookstore and obtain a few books on the topic you are researching. Books that have timelines or lengthy introductions to the subject matter are great for this purpose--just make sure that you have a solid grounding in the larger historical background of your topic before you start to focus on your research topic.
    • While you're reading a text, jot down significant names, places, and dates to form a basic outline of historical events--a larger, "zoomed-out" perspective may help you see some of the missing pieces of the puzzle. If you're having trouble finding relevant sections, just flip to the Table of Contents or Index of your text and search for your topic there. As well as you can use a mind map to remember those significant names, places and dates.
    • Internet sources are generally appropriate for this stage of research, especially online encyclopedias. Though their information may not be 100% accurate, they'll get the big picture right, and that's all that you should be concerned about at this stage.
  2. Utilize bibliographic information. After you've read through a few texts, look at the "Citations," "Notes," or "References" section of your sources. Some texts have annotated bibliographies that give a brief summary and analysis of each source; they can truly be invaluable for your research, so make sure to take advantage of them if they're available. (Primary sources, sources from people who experienced events first-hand, can also be very useful.) After you've created a list of potential new sources, seek out whichever ones you can find at your local library or bookstore.
  3. Extract key ideas. As you read along, take some notes and ask yourself a few questions: What does this source contribute to my understanding of the topic? How do the ideas presented in this text differ from the others? What does this tell me about the nature of my topic--is there a consensus, or is there some controversy regarding it? As usual, record the bibliographic information of each source and label the notes with the source that it was derived from. Once you have picked up key points start writing an essay. Make sure your points stick to the subject and are important (e.g. for an essay about Julius Caesar it would be vital to write that he successfully invaded Gaul).
  4. Establish a conclusion. Conclusions are just brief explanations of what you have already written. Use them to exaggerate the most important points of your essay/paper. It must not be too long, but it is an important part of your grade.

Tips

  • Don't be afraid to draw new, unconventional conclusions based on solid evidence. Analytical thinking is very important for historians, and making your own opinions will show your skill.
  • Don't overdo it! Stay within the restrictions of the assignment, and delete unnecessary information. (If you're not sure, ask your instructor if you should assume that the reader has basic knowledge of the historical events surrounding your paper.)
  • Remember to cite your sources in the manner specified by your instructor--not only will it make your paper seem more "academic" and "polished," but it'll also save you from a serious academic offense, plagiarism.
  • Don't simply adopt an author's opinion because of his or her supposed "prestige" and "fame"--work through the data you obtain through your research, and form your own conclusions about the topic. That's what the point of your assignment is in the first place--otherwise, everyone would be handing in photocopies of well-known texts.
  • For each source you use, make sure to cross-check the background information and the qualifications of the author to make sure that the information you use is reliable. As always, use your judgement and common sense to discern what is valid and what isn't.
  • Craft an outline of your essay based on the information you have and the conclusions you've reached. Write a specific, focused thesis statement that answers the question and presents an introduction to the analysis that follows in the next few paragraphs. The writing process will become much easier if you plan ahead and have a certain structure for your paper.

Things You'll Need

  • A research topic or question - you need something focused to guide your research, after all. If the topic your instructor has presented seems vague, try to narrow it down! Depending on your topic, there may be a great amount of material to sift through; thus, any restrictions that you can place on your research may greatly reduce the amount of time you need to spend during this phase of the writing process.
  • Any note-taking device - whether it be a notebook, some binder paper, or a computer, it's important to catalog what information you obtained from your research, and more importantly, where you got it. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense, so make sure to obtain all bibliographic information beforehand, and cite it appropriately in your paper.
  • Access to research materials - it doesn't matter what materials you have, as long as you're able to discern which sources are trustworthy and valuable, and which ones are not.
  • "" If in doubt ask.

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