Historical Research Essay

  Research Process #4:               /10        (Due 2/3/14)

o   Formal Outline of Essay, including thesis statement (topic + cultural significance)

o   Direct quotations or paraphrased information (with source designated) inserted into outline.

o   Works Cited Page (also include as final page of essay)

EXAMPLE OUTLINE

Historical Research Essay Outline (Hank Aaron example)

I.         Introduction

A.      Attention-getter.

B.      Thesis: (moment + cultural significance) Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715^th home run changed the ways people looked at African-Americans in professional baseball.

C.      Preview (three) main points: 

1.  Causes:  Negro Leagues/Jackie Robinson breaking into MLB. 

2.  Effects:  Future home-run records and subsequent steroid investigations

                a.  Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa

                b.  MLB drug controversy/changing policies

II.       Causes of moment

A.         First cause: Formation of the Negro Leagues

1.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research): In 1880s several professional Negro teams were formed.  Professional baseball mirrored the segregation in larger society (Negro League Baseball Players Association).

2.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research): Several players tried to integrate into the MLB prior to Jackie Robinson with little success (Negro League Baseball Players Association).

3.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research): “The first successful organized Negro League was established on February 13, 1920, at a YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri” (Society for American Baseball Research).

B.      Second cause: Jackie Robinson’s introduction to the major leagues (“About Jackie Robinson”).

           1.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

           2.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

C.      Third cause:

           1.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):        

2.  Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

III. The Moment

A.      Background information necessary to understanding the moment (Source)

B.      Explanation of its importance (Source)

           1. Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):         

2. Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

IV. Effects of Moment

A.         First Effect that came from moment

1.      Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

Example, statistic, fact, quotation, etc (source from research):

B.         Second Effect that came from moment

1.      Example, statistic, fact, etc. (Source from research)

2.      Example, statistic, fact, etc. (Source from research)

C.          Third Effect

1.      Example, statistic, fact, etc. (Source from research)

2.      Example, statistic, fact, etc. (Source from research)

V.       Conclusion

A.      Restatement of thesis (in different words)

B.      Final statement on moment's enduring impact on culture or its importance as a turning point.