Your next paper for the class is due March 10. For this assignment, I first want you view the documentary called—somewhat confusingly—A Midwife's Tale. You can find it here: https://avod-infobase-com.grinnell.idm.oclc.org/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=44085. I checked and access to the film works. There is also a transcript to the right of the player on screen, which you might find useful for your papers. Also look at the site http://dohistory.org for more information.
I want you to reflect on whether Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's work corresponds to Arnold's vision of history.
You have two options:
1. Write an essay that argues that, for the most part, her work does conform to the Arnold in some important way.
or
2. Write an essay that argues that her work does not conform to the Arnold in some important way.
This paper should be about 700-1000 words long. That is a pretty short paper. You will be tempted to go over. Try to resist that impulse. Just try to keep your text focused, making the argument you want to make.
Your paper should include an introduction and your introduction should include a thesis. Your introduction should correspond to the model previously discussed in this class. For purposes of this assignment, please end your introduction with a concise, one sentence thesis statement. Please boldface this sentence.
Make sure your paper provides adequate development and support for your thesis—that is, sufficient evidence to convince the reader that you are presenting a valid interpretation of the facts. The paragraph structure of the body of the paper should relate directly to the logic of the argument laid out in your introduction.
Your paper should express your own ideas. You must provide adequate citation for paraphrases and quotes from the texts, but also ideas you have borrowed; not to do so is plagiarism. Please proofread your paper for style and grammar, punctuation, page numbers, etc., as well as content. Better yet, have some one else proofread it for you and then correct any problems before you hand it in.
The paper should be accompanied by a title page which should include the paper's title, your mailbox number, the class name, and the date. Not Your Name. The title should reflect your overall thesis, be centered on the title page one third of the way down, and should not be underlined or within quotation marks unless it is in fact a quote. The rest of the information on the title page should be at the lower right of the page. Citations of the Arnold should be of the (author, p. #) variety. Citations of the website should provide the webpage. Citations of the movie should provide an approximate time stamp: (movie, 1:25). The paper should be typed, double-spaced in 12-point times new roman, indented at the beginning of a paragraph, and with 1 inch margins on all four sides. Keep copies of all drafts in case something terrible happens.
Key Points:
1. Do not include your name anywhere in your paper. Instead, put your mailbox number on it.
2. Double-space the text.
3. Indent each paragraph and use 1 inch margins on all sides.
4. Include a title page. Title pages are not numbered, the subsequent pages should be, starting with "1." If you do not know how to do this, ask.
5. Do not use the passive voice unless you have a good reason for it.
6. You should have a good, one sentence thesis at the end of your introduction. Please boldface this sentence.
7. Do not use "this" as a pronoun.
8. But most of all, remember what it means to have an argument: you have to make the case for a position against another plausible interpretation.
If you have any questions, contact me before it is too late. Your paper is due at 5 pm on March 10.