1st ed. published under title: Thomson Nelson guide to writing in history by Jeffrey W. Alexander, Joy Dixon.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 94) and index.

"Become a proficient writer in your history course with the help of this perfect writing companion!

The Nelson Guide to Writing in History is the ideal resource to help you with the research and writing instruction you need to be successful in your history course.

In this brief guide, the authors will help you think and write confidently about history with step-by-step instructions on how to cope with the variety of assignments you will experience in your course." (Book Cover)

CONTENTS:

Preface to the Second Edition

Acknowledgements

INTRODUCTION
I.I Why We Wrote This Guide and How to use It
I.II What It Means to Write Historically

CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL SOURCES
Introduction
1.1 Primary Sources
1.2 Secondary Sources
1.3 Online Sources
1.4 Visual Sources
1.5 Artifacts and Material Culture
1.6 Oral Histories
1.7 Statistics
1.8 Maps

CHAPTER 2: COMMON WRITING ASSIGNMENTS IN HISTORY: PURPOSES AND AIMS
Introduction
2.1 Journal Entries/Reading Responses
2.2 Summaries of Readings
2.3 Primary Source or Document Analysis
2.4 Bibliographic Essays
2.5 Book Reviews
2.6 Historiographical Papers
2.7 Exams: Writing Effective Short Answers and Essay Question Answers
2.8 Research Proposals
1.9 Research Essays

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH ESSAYS: THE WRITING PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH
Introduction

A) Introducing the Four Sample Essays
3.1 Choosing a Topic
3.2 Developing Questions and Researching Your Paper
3.3 Reading Your Sources

A) Primary Sources

B) Secondary Sources
3.4 Developing an Argument: Formulating a Thesis Statement
3.5 Planning Your Paper
3.6 Writing an Introduction
3.7 The Body of the Paper: Presenting Your Evidence

A) Building Your Case

B) Quoting and Paraphrasing Your Sources

C) Keeping the Reader in Mind: Defining Your Terms Clearly
3.8 Writing for Your Audience: Tips to Consider and Pitfalls to Avoid
3.9 Drawing Conclusions: Making Effective Closing Arguments
3.10 Formatting and Editing Research Essays in History

A) Working with Dates

B) Working with Numbers

C) Working with Names

D) Editing Checklist
3.11 Proofreading Your Paper
3.12 When You Get Your Paper Back

CHAPTER 4: CITATIONS: DOCUMENTING YOUR CLAIMS
Introduction
4.1 Common Questions about Citations: When and Why to Use Them
4.2 Plagiarism
4.3 Citation Styles 4.4 Basic Citation Examples for Footnotes/Endnotes and Bibliographies in Chicago Style

A) Books

B) Journal Articles

C) Newspaper and Magazine Articles

D) Articles or Chapters in a Multi-Author Work

E) Online Sources and E-Journals

F) Online Video Clips

G) Government Publications

H) Video Recordings, CDs, and DVDs

I) Other Sources
4.5 Subsequent Citations for Footnotes and Endnotes: the Shortcuts
4.6 Citation Checklist

CONCLUSION

For Further Reading

Index