Appalachian History Research Project
 

As we have read River of Earth, we have seen the plight of rural American mountain-folk. In this research project you are asked to integrate multiple resources into an 3-5 page informative essay with MLA documentation.

This means that the paper should have a proper introduction, informative thesis, supporting evidence and a conclusion. Also, there should be solid MLA formatting for the heading of the paper as well as the works cited page.

You can choose from many different topics:
- Mountain/Appalachian Music
- Appalachian Migration to the North (to places like Detroit)
- Coal Miners and their families
- Coal Camps
- Coal strikes (Harlan Co. War, etc.)
- Depression Era Appalachia
- The New Deal and Appalachians (1960's)
- History of Moonshine (and/or NASCAR)
- Famous Appalachians in history
- Coal mining issues and problems (historic and current)
- Eastern Kentucky (including modern problems)
- Other topics (as approved by me)

Your assignment is to write an informative (yet entertaining) informative essay explaining your chosen topic.

You will be graded on the following:
- Incorporation of ACADEMIC resources
- Ability to explain the topic in detail
- Overall style, mechanics, and grammar of the essay

 

Tips for Success:
1. What's The Point?
Before you ever begin your informative essay, create a thesis statement; in more basic terms, this means you must have a "point". By formulating a hypothesis and using that as the basis of your informative essay, your work won't meander like a snaking stream. Instead, it'll stay on point from beginning to end.

2. Ditch The Flowery Prose
Flowery language can be effective in the right forum; however, overly embellished sentences do not belong in your informative essay. Keep your verbiage simple and straightforward, or your reader will pay too much attention to your overuse of adjectives and adverbs.

3. Put Your Feelings Aside
You probably have an opinion about what you're writing, but unless your essay is meant to be read as a personal syndicated column, leave your feelings at the door. Instead of editorializing, tell the facts like a good journalist; if you do, your readers will be able to draw their own conclusions instead of having yours foisted upon them.

4. Get Your Facts Straight
An informative essay needs to have supporting data to give it clarity and authority. However, that doesn't mean you can rely on any statistics you find online. Unfortunately, the World Wide Web is filled with "facts" that are actually only half-truths (or even outright lies.) Make sure the ones you choose for your work are from reliable sources, such as well-known companies or government agencies.

5. Go to The Sources
If you need to interview individuals to add power or legitimacy to your informative essay, make sure you choose your interviewees carefully. Avoid the temptation to allow just anyone to use your essay as a mouthpiece. Judiciously pick who you want to quote, then make sure that your quotes are accurate.

6. Active Voice = Strong Essay
Present your information in a strong tone, using active words and powerful adjectives that "pop" off the page, not simply dribble down onto the reader's lap. For instance, replace words like "good" or "bad" with much more expressive counterparts. Remember, though - your goal isn't to be poetic; it's to add proper emphasis to your thesis and supporting information.