This page contains a collection writing guides for students.

HSTAA 302 Writing Guidelines
Source/Contributor: Debbie McNally, TA
Course: HSTAA 302 American Civilization (McKenzie)
Date: Winter 2008
Format: Word document

This is a three-page student guide that walks students through a three-step process of writing a historical essay: "Constructing a Thesis Statement," "Writing Your Paper," and "Proof-read Your Paper." Discusses argument, evidence, and analysis. Refers to Richard Marius's A Short Guide to Writing About History, Diane Hacker's A Writer's Reference, and Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.

A Guide to the Research Paper: Primary Sources, Thesis Statements, and Mechanics
Source/Contributor: Robert Cruickshank, TA
Course: HSTAA 235 (Singh)
Date: Fall 2004
Format: Word document

This is a seven-page handout that describes primary sources, finding sources, thesis statements, and paper mechanics (including citations and footnotes). It includes references to Monica Sone's Nisei Daughter (Seattle: 1953).

Paper Checklist
Source/Contributor: Tim Wright
Course: Unknown
Date: Fall 2006
Format: Word document

This is a two-page student checklist. The first page covers "Focus," "Use of Evidence," "Style" and "Mechanics" and is adapted from Diana Hacker's A Pocket Style Manual, 4th ed. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004). The second page provides a definition of an effective thesis pulled from Mary Lynn Rampolla's A Pocket Guide to Writing in History, 4th ed. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004), and links to online resources for writing a thesis statement and using evidence. It was created to supplement the Grading Form.

Suggestions for the Writing Assignment
Source/Contributor: Richard Bellon
Course: HSTEU 210—History of Paris
Date: Fall 1998
Format: PDF

This is a five-page handout that includes three pages of instructions, a sample bibliography (in French), and "A Select Bibliography on Teaching with Writing." Topics covered include selecting a topic, paper organization, and using evidence for a 7- to 10-page paper that includes a bibliography and notes.

Creating a Working Outline for an Argumentative Source Paper
Source/Contributor: Jennifer A. Price, instructor
Course: HSTAM 276
Date: Spring 2002
Format: PDF

A one page handout that provides an outline—in the Classical Pattern—for creating a working outline for an argumentative paper.

Common Language Errors in History Essays
Source/Contributor: Unknown
Course: Unknown
Date: May 1997
Format: PDF

Two-page handout that covers "Thesis hedging," "Quotation Errors," "Titles, Underlining, and Italics," "Improper Citation Form," and "Weakening Words."

Guidelines for Writing Assignments
Source/Contributor: Gigi Peterson
Course: Unknown
Date: Unknown
Format: PDF

This is a two-page handout that includes the guidelines on the first page and "Criteria for the Evaluation of Essays" on the second page. Covers the structure and format of essays (introduction, body, conclusion, and style), and refers to Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers and Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. Includes a cool Calvin and Hobbes cartoon.

Outline of an Argumentative Essay–Classical Pattern
Source/Contributor: Unknown
Course: Unknown
Date: Unknown
Format: PDF

A two-page student handout that is similar to "Creating a Working Outline for an Argumentative Source Paper" but provides information on thesis statements and, on the second page, "A List of Dos and Don'ts for Paper Writing" as well as citation guidelines based on The Chicago Manual of Style and Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.