Research and Writing

History uses the Chicago (Manual of) Style format. This format is identical to Turabian (named after Kate Turabian, the University of Chicago graduate dissertation secretary, who authored a writing guide). Chicago specifies both the physical format of your paper (margins, title page, preferred spelling, etc.), and the proper citation (foot- or end notes, bibliography, etc.). It is essential that you follow these rules. Consider the the language of History.

To help you write a good History paper, the Department has adopted two online style and two writing guides for you to use in class. The writing guides offer a quick style reference. Graduate students formatting their thesis should use the latest unabridged version of The Chicago Manual of Style. The research paper writing guides are a primer for those students who have not yet taken History 2600, or need a refresher.

Chicago Style Reference:

• Chicago Manual of Style Online: Chicago-style online quick guide:
  Slightly more technical version, that includes some more obscure source citation reference.

History Research Paper Writing Guides:

• Patrick Rael, Bowdoin College: Reading, Writing, and Researching for History: A Guide for College Students. PDF format. This a comprehensive guide on how to research and write a History paper. Be advised that each instructor will have its own preference to what methodology you should follow or evidence you should present. Use this guide as a reference, not rule.
• Boston University, Department of History Writing Guide. Less comprehensive as the reference above, this guide has helpful information on avoiding writing pitfalls common in research papers.

For information about how to avoid Plagiarism, please see the separate section on the Department Website.