Short Paper 2
Due Feb 15
Paper should be 3 to 5 pages
in length, typed, double-spaced, no extra spaces between paragraphs, 12 point
Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins, stapled. Please give your paper a title,
but no separate title page is necessary.
I expect papers to be polished – that is, grammatically correct
with clear writing and paragraph structure.
Using sources and course
materials/presentations assigned through (and including) Feb. 15, please
address one of the following paper prompts:
Revision: you may consider borders & “power
of place” from any time period, including the present, but make sure to tie it
into course readings
Questions to get you
thinking about these topics: Who counted as “American”? According to whom, and
by what criteria? Did access to
power/privilege matter?
Can/did Americans (or,
people who live in the
As with the first short
paper, use a selection of sources as a “case study” to explore the question you
have chosen. Your essay should begin with an introduction paragraph that
features a thesis: your concise response to the question at hand. The main body
of your essay should develop the thesis by analyzing evidence and expanding on
your argument. Each paragraph should begin with a well-crafted topic sentence.
Good paragraphing often includes a conclusion sentence that ties the analysis
in each paragraph to the thesis. Avoid
too brief and too long paragraphs.
Your tone should be formal.
Do not use the second person (“you”), and avoid over-use of the first person (“
Use quotations sparingly.
Long block quotes should be avoided. If
you use direct quotes, make sure to work them into your analysis and help
readers see their relevance.
You may use whatever
citation style you feel comfortable with. Please be conscientious about citing
your sources, and do not plagiarize ideas or words.
Please include a Works
Cited page.