What argument are you making about the person you interviewed or the period in our local history?

1. An introduction that gives needed background information about the topic and appeals to your audience. 2. A thesis statement that takes a clear position on the social issue or event you are comparing without oversimplifying. What argument are you making about the person you interviewed or the period in our local history? To state simply that there are differences in multiple accounts of an event is obvious; in your thesis—and throughout your paper—emphasize how your sources are different, perhaps making inferences about why they might be different, and discussing which you see as the most truthful. If appropriate, you may also offer your own version of what actually happened, or conclude that the accounts are irresolvable. 3. Clear reasons and sufficient evidence to support the claim in your thesis. This evidence can come from personal experience, your oral history, the article or articles you researched, and/or library/Internet research. It is best to have a mix of different types of evidence. Remember that your goal is to draw an interesting conclusion about the versions of the event that you are comparing, so your evidence should identify those differences or similarities, and show your reader what those differences or similarities are. However, you must include several references to your fieldwork (Your Oral History Project Interview). In writing about history, your ideas are developed using a wealth of detail which shows your reader what you mean. 4. At least three library sources (most likely from Proquest or EBSCO, but possibly alternative sources from the Southern California Library for Research and Social Studies or other online archives. 5. At least two valid internet sources (try www.ipl.org). 6. (Optional) Use of at least one visual element (pictures, graphs, diagrams, charts). Try searching Google’s “Images” collection. 7. Appropriate organization and paragraphing, including use of clear topic sentences. The paragraphs should be in a logical order and use of transitions to show links between ideas.