1. Daniel W. Blackmon Coral Gables Sr. High
Writing History
Daniel W. Blackmon
Coral Gables Sr. High

2. Source: The material in this presentation is excerpted from:
Rampolla, Mary Lynn. A Pocket Guide to Writing in History. 3rd Edition. New York: Bedford / St. Martin’s, ISBN

3. Evaluating Sources
All sources, primary as well as secondary, must be used critically. (14-15)

4. Evaluating Primary Sources
Who was the author? What do you know about the author?
Why was the source written? What was the author’s purpose? What was the audience?
When was the source written?

5. Evaluating Primary Sources
What is the historical setting of the source? What events or cultural concerns / assumptions might have influenced the writer’s point of view?
What individual biases are evident in the source?
Are there other contemporary sources with which to compare this one? (15)

6. Using Editions and Translations
Use the most recent translation available.
Read prefaces and introductions carefully to learn about the assumptions and biases which guided the editor.
Read footnotes and endnotes, which will discuss contested issues.
Follow hot links to the source.

7. Evaluating Secondary Sources
In addition to the same questions asked of a primary source:
When was the source published?
Does the author provide solid logical support for his / her thesis?
Does the source agree or disagree with other scholars on the same subject? (18-19)

8. Internet Sources
“Is the author’s identity clear, and if so, what are his or her academic credentials ?
“Does the author of the Web site provide evidence for his or her assertions, and does the site include source citations, bibliographies, and so on?

9. Internet Sources
“Is the Web site affiliated with an academic institution, press, or journal? If ‘.edu’ or ‘.gov’ appear in the address, it has been posted by an educational or governmental institution, which may give you some confidence in the material it contains.

10. Internet Sources
“Is the Web site sponsored by any particular group or organization? (Look for ‘.org’ in the URL.) Do you know anything about the interests and concerns of the individual or group that publishes the Web site?

11. Internet Sources
“Does the information on the Web site coincide with what you have learned about the subject from other sources?
“Has the Web site been updated recently?
“Does the Web site contain useful links to other sites?” 19-20)

12. Writing a Research Paper
“Choose a topic that interests you.” (33)
“Consider the availability of sources.” (33)
“Narrow your subject down to a workable topic.” (33)
“Start your research early.” (34)

13. Writing a Research Paper
“Begin by consulting your professor.” (35)
“Generate a working bibliography.” (35)
“Use both primary and secondary sources.” (36)
“Use nonwritten materials where appropriate.” (36)

14. Internet Searches Use more than one search engine.
Use metasearch engines such as MetaCrawler or InferenceFind
Use as many key words as you can think of, and try different spellings of the key words. (37-39)

15. Issues of Style “Avoid anachronism” (44)
“Be aware of your own biases.” (44)
“Do not open with a global statement.” (45)
“Include your thesis in your first paragraph.” (46)

16. Issues of Style
“Make clear connections between ideas To choose transitions that are appropriate, you will need to consider how your ideas are related to each other.” (48)

17. Effective Transitions
“To compare: also, similarly, likewise
“To contrast: on the other hand, although, nevertheless, despite, on the contrary, still, yet, regardless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, whereas, however, in spite of

18. Effective Transitions
“To add or intensify: also, in addition, moreover, furthermore, too, besides, and
“To show sequence: first (and any other numerical adjectives), last, next, finally, subsequently, later, ultimately

19. Effective Transitions
“To indicate an example: for example, for instance, specifically
To indicate cause-and-effect relationships: consequently, as a result, because, accordingly, thus, since, therefore, so” (48)

20. Issues of Style
“Anticipate and respond to counterevidence and counterarguments.” (50)
“Avoid conversational language, slang, and jargon.” (51)
“Make your language as clear and simple as possible.” (52)

21. Issues of Style “Avoid biased language.” (52)
Use the past tense in preference to the historical present tense. (53-54)
Under most circumstances, the active voice is preferable to the passive voice. (54-55)

22. Issues of Style
Consult your professor on the use of the pronouns I, you and me
Your teacher strongly believes that the use of personal pronouns I, you, and me should be avoided if at all possible!