This document provides guidelines for a freshman research project in a World History Honors class. It outlines that students will conduct independent research on a selected world region and produce a 6-7 page research paper with citations and an oral presentation. It details the project components and deadlines, including developing a topic, thesis statement, annotated bibliography with at least 6 sources, note cards, outline, drafts, citations, and presentation. Students are advised to follow directions and meet deadlines to ensure a successful final project.

1. World History
Honors
2012-2013
World Research 2008
Mr. Dunne
Guidelines for the Freshman Research Project
Mr. Dunne
We will spend the bulk of the
winter term working on a
research project, which will
result in a 6- to 7-page, fully
documented research paper
and a six- to eight-minute oral
presentation. As a class, we
will decide what region of the
world we will explore. During
the first two weeks of class we
will learn about the research
process and read some
background information about
the region we choose from
some basic sources. By the
middle of the second week,
each student should have a
Poster designed for “Expo 1967,” Montreal, Canada, 1967. working research topic to
Found at The Canadian Design Resource , “Expo 67” pursue for the duration of the
<http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/ officialgallery/?cat=48&paged=3> term.
The research project will be broken into a number of different components with deadlines
occuring as we go. It is crucial that you keep pac e, meet your deadlines, and follow directions
carefully. If your early preparation is thorough and accurate, the end product often comes
together painlessly. If your early preparation is incomplete and sketchy, the end product can
be unbelievably difficult. Former students regularly offer this advice when they evaluate the
project at the end: “Follow directions and meet your deadlines!”
On the back of this sheet you will find a list of graded steps with their approximate due dates.
I will provide you with weekly calendars as we go. A mong the requirements for the project
are: topic and statement of purpose; tentative thesis statement; bibliographic evaluations (at
least six sources of at least four different types, and no more than two internet sites, b oth of
which will need my approval); note cards (at least 40 cards from at least six sources); an
outline; a first draft; a final draft six to seven pages in length; full documentation, including a
bibliography and footnotes/ endnotes; and a fully documente d slide show oral presentation.
***Be sure to keep all the material you produce and that I return to you. You will need
to turn in all your materials with the final draft. You will receive detailed weekly schedules
outlining our work as we go, and you will receive more detailed explanations of the different
elements of the project as we proceed.

2. Does History Matter?
• “[T]he experience of the past can find
its highest relevance in the guidance it
offers in living with the problems of the
present.” —David Potter, historian

3. What we’ll cover…
• SOUTH AFRICA
• 1st unit, fall

4. What we’ll cover…
• CHINA
• 2nd unit, fall term

5. What we’ll cover…
• RESEARCH UNIT
• winter term

6. What we’ll cover…
• THE MIDDLE EAST
• spring term

7. Skills…
• reading
comprehension
• note-taking
• analytical thinking
and writing
• oral discussion
and presentations
• group efforts

8. So you will be able to…
• prepare for success
• ask good questions
• prepare effective
answers
• gather and present
information
• draw meaningful
conclusions
• collaborate effectively

9. iPads will help us...
• follow current events
in countries we study
• organize notes,
“handouts,” and other
resources
• collaborate on projects
• prepare for tests
• lighten our backpacks!

10. Essential rules…
THAYER HONOR CODE
integrity
responsibility
mutual respect

11. Classroom necessities…
• be on time
• observe the dress
code
• turn off your cell
phones
• respect other people’s
belongings
• be prepared to be a
student—and to enjoy
learning history!

12. Parental roles
• be supportive and talk with your children
about what they are learning
• let them take responsibility for their work
• contact me by phone or e-mail if issues
emerge
• watch them grow!