The Assignment: Using at least 3 primary sources and 3 secondary sources, ask and answer a
question of personal interest about the History of Japan.
Set yourself up for success by posing an answerable question.
Be specific about the time frame.
Be specific about the geography.
Be specific about the subjects/historical actors
Asking the question starts your research process.
The answer is your thesis and is the start of the essay.
Defending your thesis is the job of the remainder of the paper.
Historians make arguments.
What to NOT write in your essay:
“This paper will explore the role of the military in Japanese history.”
o Your research explored. Your paper argues.
“The role of women changed over time in Japan.”
o Of course. But how and why?
“Shinto played an important role in Japanese history.”
o Words like “important” and “interesting” are too broad and too vague to be
analytically useful. Be precise. Be concrete. Define and defend your terms.
Ask yourself: what do I mean by that word? Write that instead.
“Throughout history.”
o The paper must have a 1:1 relationship between its argument and evidence.
What is the evidence you would need to prove a statement that begins like
that? Is 10 pages enough space to substantiate that large a claim?
“In this paper I will argue”
o Don’t tell the reader what you are going to tell the reader. Make your
argument. Defend your argument.
“It is first important to note.”
o Show the reader why it’s important to include certain information.
Ask me questions. Show me drafts. Let me help!
Some questions to ask yourself:
– Does the thesis clearly state my argument?
– Does each body paragraph support my thesis?
– Do my topic sentences effectively introduce the main point of each paragraph?
– Do I have enough evidence within each body paragraph to make my point?
– Have I properly introduced, analyzed, and cited every quotation I use?
– Do I have transitions between paragraphs?
– Is my paper free of grammar and spelling errors?
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