In this paper you will explain an idea from the reading and apply it to another case, either historical or recent.  About half the content of your paper should be specifics from the book, about half should be about your example--you may organize this as two approximately equal sections. Higher grades will go to papers that exhibit logical thinking, an analytical framework, specific evidence, the ability to inform and communicate, sound organization, and a concise and coherent argument.  All parts of your paper must include specific factual information from your research, not just your own impressions.   I expect you to come to your own conclusion (and so you are allowed to use "I").

Instructions on paper format:
Your paper should be 4-5 double spaced typed pages (1000 to 1200 words) and include a references in a standard form (MLA, Chicago, or APA).  It should be printed out double-spaced with your name and course information at the top.   Papers must be handed in via Canvas, screened by the Turnitin plagiarism detection system.  (This system does keep a copy of your paper--if you have a problem with that please speak to the professor.)  Late papers will be penalized two points if handed in later than the due date and an additional two points for each calendar day late (so a paper two days late would lose six points).  

You must provide footnotes or references to your sources (not just for quotes but also for specific information and arguments) in the text of the paper and provide at the end an overall list of the sources you used to write your paper (you may include sources that you read and found useful but did not cite in the text). You must use either MLA, APA, or Chicago format for references--papers that fail to use one of those formats and use it correctly will be penalized.  You can find standard formats at:  Writers Handbook. 

Be careful to avoid plagiarism.  The syllabus states:

Checklist for a good paper:

1. Does your introduction explain the argument (analysis) you will make?
2. Does your paper address all parts of the assignment?
1. Do you explain a specific idea from the reading, with details of an example to show how it works
   
2. Do you give specifics of your outside example
3. Do you explain how your example fits the idea
   
3. Do you explain your argument at each step?  (never leave the reader to draw his or her own conclusions)
   
4. Is your specific evidence selected to fit your particular points rather than telling random facts?
5. Have you found specific examples or statistics to prove your points rather than simply asserting them?  Have you pinned the events you discuss down to specific dates and places and shown how things changed over time?
6. Are the sources of specific points acknowledged with references, footnotes, or endnotes, even if paraphrased rather than quoted?
7. Do you have a bibliography or list of sources set up in a correct form?
8. Have you proofread, looking particularly for those mistakes that a spell-checker doesn't catch?  Remember also that the best grammer checkers are right only 80% of the time.