HCIV101/2:
History of Civilization
INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESEARCHING YOUR ESSAYS
In order to write a good essay, you should make sure you have all the necessary materials (text for reading, textbook for historical background, lecture notes from the class, etc.), and you should plan your essay carefully and write it according to that plan..
Step One: Getting hold of the Reading Material.
Before writing your essay, you must get hold of all the relevant material.
The main bibliography-sheet for each Topic will give you all the information
you need in order to find this material.
- The title of the assigned text for each group will be listed on the main bibliography-sheet for each Topic: this is listed after the word TEXT. In addition, you will find there references for the relevant historical background (after the words HISTORICAL BACKGROUND); and also the pages for the selected parts of the text which you must read (after the words SELECTION FOR READING).
- Once you have worked out which text you must read, look at the ‘bibliography’ at the bottom of the page, which will tell you how to find the text. 1) For books in Bilkent library, you will find the full title of the edition/translation which you must consult, plus the library’s call number is supplied; 2) for photocopies, you will find it says: David Thornton's Text-File; and, 3) for Internet sites, you will find the full WWW http:// address.
- For library books and photocopies, you should go to the Reserve Desk in the library (it’s next to the Circulation Desk near the main entrance). Here you should either: 1) show the call number (on the bibliography I’ve given you), and then the librarian will give you the relevant book; or, 2) ask for David Thornton's Text-File and find the correct photocopy. Take the book or photocopy to the Photocopy Room (upstairs) and copy the relevant pages as listed on the main Bibliography. Return the book or original photocopy to the Reserve desk. If the book is not available at the Reserve desk, it means that another student has already taken it for photocopying, so it should re-appear soon …
- If you have any problems in getting hold of your text, please let me know as soon as possible (in the class or in my office), so that I can help you!
Step Two: Putting your Essay together.
You should plan your essays carefully: give it a good structure and make
sure it includes all relevant information and ideas.
- Introduction: Every good essay must have an introduction! Here, you should try to do three things: 1) Address the question which I have asked you to answer, and show that you understand it: for example, what are the important 'key' words and concepts? 2) Say a few introductory words about the text you will be studying and about the relevant society/civilization; and, 3) Give your thesis statement (if you have one): this is your idea(s) and you can argue anything you like, as long as you support it with historical and textual evidence … don't be afraid to criticize my question!
- Historical Background: Have a paragraph or two about the society/civilization which produced your text: especially, you should describe features of the society which you think help to explain the text (politics, society, economy, or whatever). You will find these in the textbook or in the lecture notes from the classes.
- Introduce the text: what do we know about the text you must read? Who was its author (do we know a name, or is it anonymous?); when was it composed; where? what type of text is it? and so forth.
- Summary of the Text: in you own words, and as briefly as possible, outline what you think are the most important elements (ideas, themes etc) in the text: ie., what is it about, and what are its main parts? NOTE: all quotations or citations from the text must have a page-reference or chapter-number.
- Analysis of the Text: here you must combine your ‘historical’ information with your understanding of the text. Why was the text composed (what was its function or purpose)? And, how does the text convey its arguments or ideas.
- Conclusion: Every good essay should finish with a conclusion! Here you should answer the question properly, and you should show how your analysis of the text (above) supports your thesis statement.
- Bibliography: list all the books and other sources which you have used, including those listed on my bibliography above and others you have found.