HIS 117 Source Analysis Guidelines and Rubric Working in world history means working with a variety of primary-source types. Writing, artifacts, artwork, gravesites, and even human remains are all historical records that allow us glimpses into the past. In this class, you will be given case studies involving a primary source that you must analyze for clues about the society that produced it. A strong paper will include the following: A clearly worded thesis statement that offers a direct response to the prompt Specific observations about the primary source used as support for the thesis Connections to the textbook, module overviews, or outside secondary sources as a means of commenting on the significance of the source to the content of the module Remember above all that the source analysis papers should put forward an argument: a position you adopt that expresses your educated opinion about the source. Be careful not to rely on describing the source; use description only as a means of offering specific examples in support of your thesis. The two source analysis papers each have a unique prompt, but both have the following requirements: One page in length Double-spaced and in a standard 12-point font Chicago-style footnotes used as a citation method Source Analysis Paper Instructions 1. Introduction Your introduction should include the following: Background information on the topic of your essay: This includes introducing key figures or concepts, as well as providing dates and locations to place your topic in a historical context. Do not assume that your reader knows the topic or the sources that you are using. Always fully introduce your sources, historical figures, and topics. For example, \"In the third century BCE, Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huangdi created an army of...\" A thesis statement: A thesis statement is the argument that you will be proving in your paper. For example, do not make general statements such as, \"Qin Shi Huangdi made many changes to China.\" A thesis is a very focused argument. A better thesis statement would be, \"Qin Shi Huangi established a number of social and political reforms that helped to boost his kingdom's economy. The creation of his terracotta army reflects these important changes and the emperor's success.\" You can see that one is much more focused and specific in the points that it will prove in the essay. The following link provides some great information and demonstrates how to create a thesis statement: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/01/ 2. Body of Paper The body of your essay should include the following: Historical analysis: Do not simply provide a timeline of events or a list of facts about the time and place. A historical essay analyzes these events and facts to create a strong argument that proves your thesis. The most relevant and important information that you will use to prove your argument: Stay focused on the most important information and try to avoid including random facts that, while interesting, might not connect to, or be relevant to, your argument. For example, what how was Qin's government organized? What were some of the major social reforms that he implemented? How did the economy of the kingdom benefit from Qin's rule? Historical details and examples: These are the building blocks of your argument. You should include relevant dates, events, people, and examples to prove your thesis. Sources: Your writing should include references to your sources and properly formatted footnotes or in-text citations. Avoid using lengthy quotes to insert historical information. The majority of your writing should be your own, not quotes. General historical information can be related in your own words. Reserve direct quotes for examples that prove your point or to briefly relate the ideas of a source. Find a way to transition between your own writing and the quote to fluidly connect the statements. 3. Conclusion Your conclusion of your essay should do the following: Draw together the points that you have raised in the essay Connect your points to a larger revelation about the topic that proves your thesis Avoid using overly general statements or making connections to our current time, unless the essay instructions specifically ask you to make this connection. For example, you would not end your essay with the statements, \"Qin created a system that benefitted China and made the country what it is today.\" These types of points are overly general and not really relevant, and they do not help to prove your overall thesis. Thousands of years occurred between Qin's rule and our current time. Stay focused on your thesis and the time period that you analyzed. 4. Works Cited Your Works Cited/Bibliography section should do the following: Include proper citation for the sources that you used for the assignment Organize sources alphabetically by the last name of the author or, when not available, the first word of the article title For assistance with proper citation, please review course material and visit the following link: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/01/ A guide to using the Chicago citation style, which is the standard for history papers, can be found at the following SNHU site: http://libguides.snhu.edu/introduction_to_citationstyles Use the SNHU History Library Guide to guide your additional research needed to establish the historical context and significance of the source. Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Source analysis assignments should follow these formatting guidelines: 1 page, double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, oneinch margins, and citations in Chicago style. Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions. Critical Elements Thesis Statement Source Analysis Historical Context Articulation of Response Exemplary (100%) Meets \"Proficient\" criteria and uses substantial details to establish the meaning behind the thesis statement Meets \"Proficient\" criteria and compares the sources to other sources in the analysis and incorporates original thought Meets \"Proficient\" criteria and uses additional research to establish the significance of the source Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format Proficient (85%) Proposes a thesis statement with clear details to establish argument central to essay Identifies the historical thought behind the source and analyzes the source for accuracy and relevance to the prompt Relates source to the specific historical context in which it was written with specific supporting details Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization Needs Improvement (55%) Does not sufficiently propose a thesis statement with clear details to establish argument central to essay Does not sufficiently provide an interpretation of historical thought substantiated by the source Does not sufficiently relate source to specific historical context in which it was written with specific supporting details Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas Not Evident (0%) Does not propose a thesis statement Value 30 Does not provide an interpretation of historical thought 30 Does not establish historical context 30 Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas 10 Earned Total 100%