1. Writing In History Professor Williams

2. OBJECTIVES The objective of this course is to broaden the students’ knowledge of the literature of specific fields in American history, increase their library and research skills, increase the students’ analytical skills, and improve their writing skills. We will look at how to write movie reviews, book reviews, and research papers for history courses. The objective of this course is to broaden the students’ knowledge of the literature of specific fields in American history, increase their library and research skills, increase the students’ analytical skills, and improve their writing skills. We will look at how to write movie reviews, book reviews, and research papers for history courses.

3. REQUIREMENTS 1. You must visit the Writing Center at least once before you turn in Movie Critique #2 and have someone review with you the paper you submitted for the first movie critique or the book review. They must initial the hard copy of your paper. 2. When submitting the remaining movie critiques (#2 & #3) you need to submit the motion picture analysis document. 3. You are not allowed to use internet websites for any of the movie reviews except imdb.com for information such as director, writer, characters, release date, etc. Any other sources will result in a “F”. 1. You must visit the Writing Center at least once before you turn in Movie Critique #2 and have someone review with you the paper you submitted for the first movie critique or the book review. They must initial the hard copy of your paper. 2. When submitting the remaining movie critiques (#2 & #3) you need to submit the motion picture analysis document. 3. You are not allowed to use internet websites for any of the movie reviews except imdb.com for information such as director, writer, characters, release date, etc. Any other sources will result in a “F”.

4. REQUIREMENTS 4. All assignments are due on assigned dates, no exceptions. 5. For HCC students I need a hard copy and you need to submit by email before midnight. 6. For any essay questions such as discussion board or exams, you must follow the guideline given today to receive full credit. 4. All assignments are due on assigned dates, no exceptions. 5. For HCC students I need a hard copy and you need to submit by email before midnight. 6. For any essay questions such as discussion board or exams, you must follow the guideline given today to receive full credit.

5. WRITING GUIDES The following are academic websites that will guide you in the process of obtaining an “A” if you follow guidelines. 1. www.writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts www.writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts 1. Citations Resources 2. Book Reviews 3. History 4. Thesis statements 5. Plagiarism 6. Evaluating Print Sources 7. Annotated bibliographies (research paper) 8. Grammar handouts 9. College writing 10. Scientific reports This site will allow you to print or download document in a pdf file. The following are academic websites that will guide you in the process of obtaining an “A” if you follow guidelines. 1. www.writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts www.writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts 1. Citations Resources 2. Book Reviews 3. History 4. Thesis statements 5. Plagiarism 6. Evaluating Print Sources 7. Annotated bibliographies (research paper) 8. Grammar handouts 9. College writing 10. Scientific reports This site will allow you to print or download document in a pdf file.

6. 2. 3 parts of a history paper by Patrick Rael, http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing- guides/three%20parts.htm http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing- guides/three%20parts.htm 3. http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing-guides/ http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing-guides/ 4. http://history.sunysb.edu/undergraduate/writ ing-resources/ http://history.sunysb.edu/undergraduate/writ ing-resources/ 2. 3 parts of a history paper by Patrick Rael, http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing- guides/three%20parts.htm http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing- guides/three%20parts.htm 3. http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing-guides/ http://www.bowdoin.edu/writing-guides/ 4. http://history.sunysb.edu/undergraduate/writ ing-resources/ http://history.sunysb.edu/undergraduate/writ ing-resources/

7. EXAMPLES 1. Movie reviews 1. www.historyplace.com/specials/reviews www.historyplace.com/specials/reviews 2. www.asjournal.org/archive/53/189.html www.asjournal.org/archive/53/189.html 3. www.historymatters.gmu.edu/d/74 www.historymatters.gmu.edu/d/74 2. Book reviews/template 1. http://clas.uiowa.edu/history/teaching-and-writing- center/guides/book-review (guidelines) http://clas.uiowa.edu/history/teaching-and-writing- center/guides/book-review 2. http://www.lonestar.edu/library/14863.htm (last sample) http://www.lonestar.edu/library/14863.htm 1. Movie reviews 1. www.historyplace.com/specials/reviews www.historyplace.com/specials/reviews 2. www.asjournal.org/archive/53/189.html www.asjournal.org/archive/53/189.html 3. www.historymatters.gmu.edu/d/74 www.historymatters.gmu.edu/d/74 2. Book reviews/template 1. http://clas.uiowa.edu/history/teaching-and-writing- center/guides/book-review (guidelines) http://clas.uiowa.edu/history/teaching-and-writing- center/guides/book-review 2. http://www.lonestar.edu/library/14863.htm (last sample) http://www.lonestar.edu/library/14863.htm

8. Book review template Last Name, First Name Class Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave. New York: Penguin Group, Inc. (1845) 2005. The purpose of this book is to… Book review template Last Name, First Name Class Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave. New York: Penguin Group, Inc. (1845) 2005. The purpose of this book is to…

9. Guidance for writing your book reviews Handout for book review http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/jesse.esparza/hist.- 1301/book-reviewhttp://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/jesse.esparza/hist.- 1301/book-review (more examples of book reviews) Look at class online there is also an example Remember for all assignments write in past tense form! Guidance for writing your book reviews Handout for book review http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/jesse.esparza/hist.- 1301/book-reviewhttp://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/jesse.esparza/hist.- 1301/book-review (more examples of book reviews) Look at class online there is also an example Remember for all assignments write in past tense form!

10. MOVIE REVIEWS/CRITIQES Short Papers—Film Reviews: Each student will prepare a typed or word-processed (double-spaced, with one-inch margins, and a 12 font), 4-5 page summary and review of each of the assigned films. These papers will constitute a significant part of your grade, so read the following description carefully. Your papers should summarize the main points that the filmmaker is trying to make and discuss in detail the images of race that are presented in the film. For a more detailed model of this assignment, use the outline below: 1. Paragraph*I. Explain the filmmaker’s thesis—the main point or points that he is trying to make in the film. (This is not a description or summary of the film; it is an explanation of the director’s purpose, the central idea or ideas around which the film is organized). Also include a brief discussion of the scope of the film--the subject of the film and the time and geographical area that it covers (i.e. what the film is about). Like the thesis, this should take no more than a sentence or two. You should also include information about the director and the principal actors, writers, and production staff involved in the film 2. Next 2 paragraphs. Give a broad, general summary of the film. You cannot in 2 paragraphs summarize the entire film, but you can give description of the plot (1 paragraph) and a discussion of the major dramatic action (second paragraph). Short Papers—Film Reviews: Each student will prepare a typed or word-processed (double-spaced, with one-inch margins, and a 12 font), 4-5 page summary and review of each of the assigned films. These papers will constitute a significant part of your grade, so read the following description carefully. Your papers should summarize the main points that the filmmaker is trying to make and discuss in detail the images of race that are presented in the film. For a more detailed model of this assignment, use the outline below: 1. Paragraph*I. Explain the filmmaker’s thesis—the main point or points that he is trying to make in the film. (This is not a description or summary of the film; it is an explanation of the director’s purpose, the central idea or ideas around which the film is organized). Also include a brief discussion of the scope of the film--the subject of the film and the time and geographical area that it covers (i.e. what the film is about). Like the thesis, this should take no more than a sentence or two. You should also include information about the director and the principal actors, writers, and production staff involved in the film 2. Next 2 paragraphs. Give a broad, general summary of the film. You cannot in 2 paragraphs summarize the entire film, but you can give description of the plot (1 paragraph) and a discussion of the major dramatic action (second paragraph).

11. 3. Next 3-4 paragraphs. Analyze with specific examples the depiction or race and racial issues in the film. This should include both issues of plot, dialog, and dramatic action (content) and visual images; it should address not just the depiction of blacks, but the depiction or all racial groups depicted or discussed in the film. 4. Last paragraph. Assess the film and its racial vision. Do not tell me whether or not you liked it or found it interesting, but briefly tell me how successful the filmmaker was in achieving his objectives (thesis) presenting his racial vision; also note briefly the relationship of this film the its historical context. You may also cite briefly the strengths and weaknesses of the film (if you wish), but make sure address the other points listed for this section. * A paragraph should be 1/2 to 3/4 pages in length. Do not write paragraphs that are too short or too long! 3. Next 3-4 paragraphs. Analyze with specific examples the depiction or race and racial issues in the film. This should include both issues of plot, dialog, and dramatic action (content) and visual images; it should address not just the depiction of blacks, but the depiction or all racial groups depicted or discussed in the film. 4. Last paragraph. Assess the film and its racial vision. Do not tell me whether or not you liked it or found it interesting, but briefly tell me how successful the filmmaker was in achieving his objectives (thesis) presenting his racial vision; also note briefly the relationship of this film the its historical context. You may also cite briefly the strengths and weaknesses of the film (if you wish), but make sure address the other points listed for this section. * A paragraph should be 1/2 to 3/4 pages in length. Do not write paragraphs that are too short or too long!

12. 3 Things I Learned 3 Questions I Have 3 Things I Want to Know