BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY
At the end of the semester each student will complete a 16-20 page bibliographical essay
focusing on a recurring theme in the course (i.e. ethnicity, language,
sovereignty, etc.). This is not a research essay and does not require any further
reading beyond what is assigned for the course. It is instead an opportunity for you
to synthesize and present in a comprehensive and thematic way what you have learned in the
course as well as your own reactions to the readings and discussions.
Although the essay will be based on a critical analysis of the course readings,
you may, if you wish, also incorporate books any research or reading you have done
elsewhere.
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Sources and Citations:
Since this is an essay based on common readings rather than individual research, you may use
parenthetical citations (as in the book reviews) rather than footnotes or endnotes. You must, however,
include a full bibliography at the end of the essay and if you cite a reading or source apart from
the ones we discussed in class, be sure to provide a full citation. If you have any questions about proper citation practices please speak with the instructor or
consult the College's Academic Integrity Policy and The Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition)
for further guidance.
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The Essay:
Your essay should be 16-20 pages and it must have a title. Additionally, it must conform to the following specifications:
 All pages of text must be double-spaced using a standard font (the most common is Times New Roman, 12-point font size). The bibliography does not count toward these page limits.
Pages must be numbered. If you include a separate title page (optional) this page should not be numbered. Page 1 is the first page of text.
Margins must be 1" at top and bottom and left and right.
Bibliography entries should be single-spaced and all lines after the first line of an entry must be indented 0.5"
Quotations longer than three lines or thirty words (whichever is longer) should be inserted as block quotations. The entire block quotation is single spaced and set in from the left margin 0.5" (the same as the indentation of a new paragraph). Block quotations do not need quotation marks.
Section headings within the body of the thesis should be in bold or italics so that they stand out from the text.
In writing and revising your essay you should consult the History
Department Writing Guidelines and Grading Standards. Additionally, you might find a visit to
the Lewis & Clark Writing Center and the following two
books helpful:
Strunk & White, The Elements of Style
Wilson Follett, Modern American Usage: A Guide
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Finally, be sure to edit and proofread your essay thoroughly before
submitting it. Poor syntax or structure and excessive errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar will
lower your grade.
The bibliographical essay is due at 11:59 pm on Thursday, April 27.
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