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Most people do not know what history is.
Partly, this is because history is a complex discipline.
Mostly, it is because people are only familiar with one or
two of the elements which make up history. In our
courses we attempt to teach you about history by requiring
you to "do" history and become at least a "junior
historian."
The historian reconstructs the past by:
 | asking questions |
| researching sources, both primary and
secondary
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| developing theses
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| testing those theses against available
evidence and common sense |
| writing clearly and convincingly |
| using imagination and empathy to
understand |
Not just "who", "when", "where" or even
"how" but "Why?" and "So What?"
One of the better sources for thoughts
about the craft of the historian can by reached by
clicking here
A very good source on how to plan and
schedule your research/writing project may be found by
clicking here
Marking sheet for Research Papers: -
click here (pdf)
[Tip: print the sheet and use it to "mark" your draft
paper.]
Sample paper with Annotated
Bibliography - click
here pdf
[Note: Copyrighted material, used with permission of the
author.]
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Reading, writing, thinking reflectively,
making sense out of vast amounts of information, often of a
contradictory nature; explaining, entertaining, inspiring,
these are all skills of the historian - but should they be
so confined?
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