Homework Assignment 2: Elements of Effective History Papers and Helpful and Unhelpful Commenting Strategies

Elements of Effective History Papers

Drawing on your reading of Benjamin (pgs. 53-58), the handouts from the History Writing Center, and the Web page on peer editing, develop a list of develop a list of five to seven elements of effective history papers. 

List the elements in order of importance, and write a one- to three-sentence explanation of each element.  After the explanation, summarize, quote, or paraphrase a passage from Polenberg, Leffler, or the Homework #1 textbook pages in which the author has incorporated your defined element of effective writing.  Be sure to note the authors and page numbers from which you are drawing your examples. 

Helpful and Unhelpful Commenting Strategies

Consider past comments you have received on your papers.  Write one paragraph that addresses the following questions:

•  What types of comments do you find the most helpful?  How have these comments helped you to improve your writing? 
•  What types of comments have proved the least helpful?  Why haven't these comments helped you to improve your writing?