Term Paper Resource Guide to Colonial American History: (Term Paper Resource Guides)

With this guide, major help for term papers relating to Colonial American history has arrived in a volume sure to enrich and stimulate students in challenging and enjoyable ways. Chock full of stimulating and creative term paper suggestions and vetted research resources focusing on the Colonial Era, this volume is indispensable for students, librarians, and instructors. Students from high school age to undergraduate will use it to get a jumpstart on assignments in Colonial American history with the hundreds of term paper suggestions and research information offered here in an easy-to-use format. Users can quickly choose from the 100 important events, ranging from the first attempt at colonization at the Lost Colony of Roanoke, Virginia, in 1585 to the ratification of the Constitution in 1791. With this book, the research experience is transformed and elevated. Term Paper Resource Guide to Colonial American Historyis a superb source to motivate and educate students who have a wide range of interests and talents. Coverage includes key wars and conflicts, establishment of colonies and colleges, legislation and treaties, religious events, exploration, publications, and more.

About the Author :
Roger M. Carpenter is assistant professor of history at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA.

Review :
As a starting point for students in high school and up writing term papers about colonial history, this reference presents 100 entries on important historical events during the period. Each entry provides a brief overview of the event, followed by a list of term paper suggestions, which are research questions that students may modify. There are also alternative paper suggestions for creating iMovies, PowerPoint presentations, podcasts, and other formats. Some suggestions ask students to assume the role of an advisor to a historical person, or to make a counterhistorical argument. Primary sources are listed, focusing on sources that students can find easily in most libraries or on the Web. Secondary sources, web sites, and multimedia sources are also listed. Recognizing that not all libraries or academic institutions have subscription-based databases, these resources are avoided. This excellent resource is a clear, well-arranged guide for starting and developing reports. The 100 chronologically arranged entries span from the failed settlement at Roanoke, VA, in 1584 to the ratification of the U.S. constitution in 1791 and include political, economic, legal, social, and military topics, such as Jamestown, the Salem witchcraft trials, King George's War, and the Stamp Act of 1765. Each topic is prefaced with a brief, intelligible overview that provides a reasonable amount of context followed by three to five term paper suggestions. A separate section of alternative ideas calls upon students to choose and represent one side of a historical question while constructing arguments backed by current technologies such as PowerPoint slide shows, podcasts, and blogs. All topics conclude with a section of leads to pertinent primary and secondary resource print materials representing current scholarly opinions, as well as Web and multimedia sources. Carpenter's work will serve as an essential guide for research papers and discussions on topics of interest to AP students of Colonial American history.