PROSPECTUS INSTRUCTIONS

Victor Silverman

History Research Seminars

 

 

Instructions for writing a prospectus for a history research paper.

 

The prospectus should be 1500 words (@3-5 pages long). Its purpose is to introduce the historical problem you will illuminate in your research and explain how you will approach your research. It should also help you focus your thoughts as you gather materials and put together your bibliography.

 

In the prospectus you should:

• Give a brief introduction to the period, topic, and issues
• Discuss the importance of the problem
• Pose the question you seek to answer with your research
• Explain why you think your particular piece of research is necessary
• Discuss how you will go about finding an answer to your research question,
• Present both the kinds of sources you will use and why those sources could illuminate the issue.
• Explain how you will use the sources and interpret your findings.