Tips for Writing History Papers
Weekly Responses
Each week you must choose a passage (roughly one sentence to a paragraph) in one or more of the readings assigned for that session, and write five sentences (no more, no less) in response to it. In your post, quote the passage you found particularly striking—vexing, novel, confusing, convincing, etc. Your five sentences should summarize your reaction, critique, or reasons for agreement with it; you might also pose questions or alternative arguments, interpretations, or offer counterevidence. These responses are mandatory but will not be evaluated with letter grades.
Sugar Six Ways Paper (5 Pages)
Research Paper and Oral Presentations (12–15 Pages, Plus Bibliography; 18–25 Pages for Graduate Students)
Paper Guidelines Parts 2 and 3 (PDF)
Sample Student Work
The following works are courtesy of anonymous MIT students and are used with permission.
“Spam: Marketing an Identity” (PDF)
“Molecular Gastronomy with a Modern Retelling” (PDF)
“Enjoying America’s Drink: The Shift from Saloon to Residence” (PDF)
