Wilson’s 10 Rules For APUSH Writers
1) NEVER, NEVER Plagiarize. This includes copying and pasting something off the internet into your paper without giving credit. (I usually Google phrases that sound like some I’ve either read before or clearly sounds like something that an 11th Grader just would have enough life experience to write…. You’d be surprised to know what comes up!)
2) When you do quote or cite another source, these things should NOT make up the bulk of your paper, sources should only SUPPORT / PROVE your conclusions.
3) DO NOT write the way you talk. Slang and profanity NEVER have a place in historical writing… Except as direct quotes,… even then…. Be VERY Careful. Always use proper English.
4) PROOF READ!!!!! EDIT!!!! I promise you that your grade will reflect the effort that you put into a writing assignment.
5) Abreviations…. Like USA and FDR. These are okay but you have to inform your reader. Like this: "Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected President in 1932. FDR's economic program was called The New Deal." You must do this for all papers even if you've used this abbreviation in past papers.
6) Avoid using extreme language:
INSTEAD OF:All USE: Many, most
INSTEAD OF:None USE: Some, few
INSTEAD OF:Always USE: Frequently, usually
INSTEAD OF:Never USE: Rarely, sometimes
7) Careful of personal pronouns. Avoid using "I" or "You". Use "One".
8) Common grammar mistakes that will cost you:
Too (also) = To (direction)
Their (possessive) = There (place, "Over there.")
9) Make sure all statements are historically accurate.
10) Make sure that you are answering the question. For example if you are asked: "What American public opinion was of potential US involvement in World War Two before Pearl Harbor and how did that change after the attack?" Don't describe the actual attack, our immediate reaction to it or the rise of Hitler…. It doesn't answer the question.
