How to Structure and Prepare Your History Research Paper

Research papers play a significant role in your overall performance. Therefore, they require as much attention as preparing for an examination. Please review this article, as it debunks the ins and outs of a good-quality history paper.


History Research Paper

History Research Paper

First, it is appropriate to decipher what a history paper is and how it differs from other research papers. In this kind of paper, as a student, you assume the role of a historian. You do not discover anything new but deduce a new argument and conclusion from published research. However, the process entirely relies on existing publications.

After the analysis, you can recommend a new conclusion. Alternatively, you can provide the latest information about the material, which could add value to the discussed or chosen topic.

Steps

The correct history research paper should challenge already published material. Doing so should uncover new possible ideas while addressing a unique problem. The evidence used to reference the arguments in this paper should be in unison with what previous authors have written.

Follow these steps while writing your history research paper:

1. Choose a topic

The first step is establishing the most appropriate topic, although this is often the most critically overwhelming stage. Therefore, spend as much time as possible on this stage since it determines the pace of the process.

Supposing your professor has not specified a topic and the assignment is open-ended, pick a topic based on your interest. If you have a topic lingering in your mind, this is the ideal opportunity to explore it as a possible option.

Remember, there is no right or wrong topic. However, ensure that your research topic allows you to make an argumentative, persuasive, or passive stance. Contact a professional term paper writer for insight and guidance when in doubt.

2. Research Questions

Formulating your paper's research questions goes hand in hand with selecting the most appropriate topic. The research questions you come up with will determine how far-tethered your article will be. They will also form a part of your claims.

The answers to these research questions will provide the flesh of the body paragraphs. Therefore, take time to explore as many possible research questions as possible.

If the answers to your questions are not persuasive enough, do away with the question or research more on the concept to curate a firmer stance. Your confidence in how you present your arguments highlights how conversant you are with the topic.

3. Timeline

Unlike most topics, history has an element of time pegged to it. It is also continuous; hence, today's events contribute to history in one way or the other.

Therefore, base your research on a specific timeline. Doing so gives your paper scope. It also guides how expansive your research process will be.

Providing a timeline also anchors your paper. In cases where the topic you are tackling is relatively new, a timeline gives you an idea of where to start. It also helps define the research gap, especially if you intend to access your research material online.

4. Research

Thanks to technological advancements, you do not have to spend endless days in a library sifting through thousands of pages to collect enough material for your research paper. Online books, educational publications, newsletters, and reviewed journals will be helpful during this step.

There is a caveat to this step, however. Use reputable and recommended sources, especially if your research relies solely on online material.

Since this step entails more than randomly going through study material, assuming you are already tackling the paper is essential. Do so by developing sample questions. Use these keywords to determine the type of questions you would ask:

  • Who
  • What
  • Why
  • Where

5. How Thesis Statement

This is the most critical part of your writing; imagine it to be the heart of your body. Besides highlighting the principal claim, it tips the reader about your paper's main points. It also prompts the reader about your essay to be specific.

Since the thesis statement is crucial to your writing, ensure it is spotless. Reach out to essay writing services for their opinions if unsure how well you will tackle it.

6. The Outline

The Outline

Assuming you have researched extensively and gathered enough support material, do not embark on writing your paper yet. Instead, create an outline to guide you on how you will structure your ideas. The outline will also allow you to work on individual sections of your paper without distorting its flow.

The outline should encompass the three main parts of a research paper:

  • The introduction
  • Body
  • Conclusion

Introduction

Start the introduction with an anecdote or statistic to hook your reader. Provide background information before embarking to answer the question. Avoid generalized statements that might sound too cliché. In the same breath, do not use quotes. Exude your confidence by being concise and direct to the point.

The Body

Expound your thesis statement on your essay's body while backing up your claims. Connect your allegations with what previous authors have said regarding the topic. You do not have to agree with them.

While backing up your standpoint, include evidence and backups. Include observations that could have been omitted from the publications or overlooked. This is how you add value to pre-existing publications through your research paper.


The Conclusion

The conclusion should bring the reader to a full circle moment and give them closure. This section determines whether the reader is satisfied by your thought process and subscribes to your viewpoint. Therefore, take this chance to restate the thesis statement while highlighting how it marries your claims.

If the topic does not end positively, explain the significance of highlighting it to the reader. Enlighten the reader on other peoples' experiences and how this research influences others.

When tackling the conclusion, make it as natural and authentic as possible. Avoid cliché and generic concluding phrases such as:

  • In conclusion
  • In summary
  • To wind up

Conclusion statements sometimes do not give a lasting impression. On other occasions, they bring out a lazy and mood less ending to your writing. In line with that, do not introduce a new concept or claim in the conclusion.

Writing a history research paper should not scare you. Following these steps to the latter guarantees a more effortless experience.

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