Opium production and consumption in canada

Writing the Research Essay

Shaping a Question

• Develop a question based on primary and secondary sources

• Try to ask how or why questions

• Answer to the question will be the thesis statement

• Examples:

  • Why was the potlatch banned in 1884?

  • How did the Royal Commission reflect or challenge fears and stereotypes held by BC’s white population towards BC’s Chinese population?

  • How did the federal government justify a head tax on Chinese immigrants in 1885?

  • How did bicycling impact women’s mobility, health and dress in 1890s BC?

  • What factors led to the abandonment of Aboriginal title in British Columbia?

Technical Requirements

• Title – interesting reflection of thesis

• Introduction: from general context to specific argument

• Thesis statement in bold:

  • This paper argues that…

  • Argument reflects content

  • Focus on specific topic in BC history, 1849-1900

• Organization – integrate material from different sources. Pay attention to topic sentences.

• Conclusion

• Footnotes, bibliography – reference all info from sources.

• Wordcount, page numbers

Balancing Analysis and Evidence

Critical analysis: Based on the evidence, what do you think happened here? Were some sources or evidence more convincing than others? How does your primary source add to or fit with other interpretations?

Use short quotes and specific examples to develop analysis. If making a point, make sure to support it with specific evidence – summary or short quotes (1 sentence) from the primary/secondary sources.