Historical Mini- Research Paper

You will write a 4-paragraph paper on an important historical person or an important historical event from the time period of your October IRP.

If you’re researching a historical person:

Identify a historical person important to the time periodof your book. (Focus on one person. Examples: Michelangelo, Marie Antoinette, Florence Nightingale, or General MacArthur, etc.)

  1. Research these specific areas about your person:
  2. What did this person contribute to this time period?Put it in your own words. Cite your source.
  3. How did this person affect or change the worldduring that time period? Put it in your own words. Cite your source.
  4. Why is this person worth knowing more about? Put it in your own words. Cite your source.
  5. Any interesting or fascinating details you didn’t know before you began researching. Put it in your own words. Cite your source.

If you’re researching a historical event:

Identify a specific event criticalto the time period referenced in your book.(Example: the Berlin Wall being put up or being torn down, the battle of Hacksaw Ridge, the sinking of the Titanic, the explosion of the Hindenburg, etc. Avoid broad topics like the Holocaust, concentration camps, WWII, Vietnam War, etc. These are TOO broad for this assignment. You must focus on one specific battle or event.)

  1. Research these specific areas about your event:
  2. Why is this event historically important? Put it in your own words. Cite your source.
  3. What are the important moments of this event? Put it in your own words. Cite your source.
  4. How does this event affect or impact this time period? Put it in your own words. Cite your source.
  5. Any interesting or fascinating details you didn’t know before you began researching. Put it in your own words. Cite your source.

Paper Requirements:

  1. An introduction that includes a hook, a transition, some historical context of your event or person, a thesis statement that identifies what you’re discussing about your event or person in your paper. (10 points)
  2. Two main body paragraphs, focusing on onlytwo of the areas of research listed under the “If you’re researching…” section above. (20 points)
  3. You must use at least one direct quotation in your essay. It must be cited in I.C.E. format (see handout). (10 points)
  4. A conclusion that sums up your main topics. (5 points)
  5. Works Cited Page (5 points)
  6. You must include at least 2 total book sources in your research. Each of these will be listed on your works cited page. You may not use the internet for this assignment.

Total points possible: 50 points

Formatting your paper: The paper should be double-spaced, Times New Roman or Calibri, 12 point font.