HISTORY FAIR -HOW TO CHOOSE A TOPIC -WHAT TYPE OF PROJECT TO CHOOSE? -THESIS -SOURCES -ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

STEP ONE: PICK A TOPIC FOCUS ON THEME: FOCUS ON ILLINOIS/CHICAGO HISTORY GO TO: -suggested topic handout Encyclopedia of Chicago History g/ g/

STEP 2: WHAT TYPE OF PROJECT? MUSEUM/EXHIBIT DOCUMENTARY PAPER WEB SITE history/the-final-product.html history/the-final-product.html

STEP 3: THESIS ow to write a thesis ◦ Thesis = Topic + Theme + Impact.  You are not just introducing your topic, you are creating an argument that expresses your topic’s significance and demonstrates how the theme plays a central part. ◦ Handout ◦ Practice A thesis statement is a central thought that holds your entire project together. Early in the research process we like to call this a working thesis; as you gather your information, this thought can, and probably should, evolve. By the time you present your project, however, you need to have a concrete thesis that is supported by evidence! development.html development.html

THESIS IS AN ARGUMENT! A History Fair Argument is Composed of the Thesis, Claims, Evidence Dear Audience: I want to convince you that… (Your thesis) The main reasons you should believe me are… (summary of your evidence and logic) You should care about my thesis because… (Consequences: why is it significant, what “lessons” are learned, so what?) Handouts history/making-an-argument.html history/making-an-argument.html

STEP 4: SOURCES PRIMARY SECONDARY HISTORICAL JOURNAL INTERVIEW

STEP 5: HOW TO ANNOTATE Annotating Sources: ◦ bibliography.html bibliography.html An annotation summarizes the source and describes how that source was useful to your project. Keep a working annotated bibliography during the research process because it will be challenging, if not impossible, to try and remember this information once you have finished your project! Every source must have an annotation!