2. Pick a Topic � brainstorm topic ideas; you can do this with classmate, parents, and/or your teacher, pick a topic that interests you
3. Research: There are two types of sources when you are writing a History research paper; primary and secondary sources. Primary source: a document of a firsthand or eyewitness account of an event. Secondary source: a document that was written after the time period that you are studying and attempt to analyze that time period in some way. Example!
4. Read sources and TAKE NOTES � taking notes is very important! You can use note cards, post-its, or lined paper to take notes on. Cite your source on top of your note taking paper.
5. Develop a Historical question or thesis statement. Pose a question about a subject that interests you. Then you need to answer your question with historical evidence/facts. You will need to look though your notes and find evidence that supports your question.
6. Create an outline �
Introduction:
Introduce the topic
Define key terms
State your historical question
Take a stance
Topic sentence
Argument supporting topic sentence
Evidence
Analysis (what does evidence support?)
Conclusion
Re-state the historical question
Significance of historical problem (why should we care about the problem?)
7. Now you are read to start writing! Use your outline. Make sure you footnote/endnote the sources you use.
8. Create a bibliography. Cite all of the sources you used in your research paper.
9. Edit! Re-read your paper and edit changes, spelling mistakes, etc. Have your classmates, teacher, and parents read your paper and consider their ideas.
10. Create a final draft. Re-read. Check your bibliography, footnotes, and endnotes for mistakes.