The Crucible Level 3 Project Documented Historical Report
You are going to write a historical report based on your research of the following things: 1. What events in American history prompted Arthur Miller to write The Crucible? 2. How accurate was Miller’s depiction of the Salem witch trials?
Step 1: Research Research various web sites, books, or reference books discussing The Salem witch trials, The McCarthy Trials, Arthur Miller, and The Crucible. Find out what really happened in Salem(versus what happened in the play), who the people were that were involved in the trials and accusations, what were the McCarthy Trials and what happened in America during this time, why was Arthur Miller upset with events in America in the 1950s, and why did he write The Crucible. Find some quotes that apply to your research (quotes from Arthur Miller about The Crucible and the McCarthy Trials), opinions of people you researched, or facts that are not well known that you can use as parenthetical documentations.
You will be expected to keep track of your notes and web sites while you research.
First note pages with 3 sources due______
Second note page with 3 sources due______
Step 2: Preparing an Outline You will use all of your note pages to create an outline for your essay. Your outline will create the framework for your paper. You must follow proper outlining technique. (attached page will show how your outline is to be set up) Outline will be due on ______.
Step 3: Writing the rough draft Compile all of your notes together, and use that information to write your essay on Arthur Miller’s Crucible and McCarthyism. You must include 3 parenthetical citations, which are direct quotes or direct thoughts of another person in their words, not paraphrased in your words. Parenthetical citations list the source information from which you got the quote, thought, or opinion. (see note at end of instruction pages)
Paragraph 1: Give a brief overview of Arthur Miller, and give a brief overview of why he wrote The Crucible. Don’t give away too much information here, but introduce the audience to the topic. You must come up with a thesis statement to conclude your introductory paragraph (a sentence that explains the purpose and subject matter of the essay).
1 Paragraph 2: Explain the political events dealing with communism and Senator McCarthy from the 1950s. Why did Arthur Miller get so frustrated with the hearings? (This will be a very long paragraph!) This would be an excellent place for quotes—things Arthur Miller said, things people said about him, Miller’s ideas, etc.
Paragraph 3 Draw parallels from McCarthyism and The Crucible. Are there certain events from The Crucible that symbolize actual events from the 1950s? What about people?
Paragraph 4 Restate your thesis, summarize your main points, and give your opinion of the witch trials and McCarthy hearings.
Remember that somewhere in your paper, you need 3 parenthetical citations!
Rough Draft will be due on ______.
Step 4 : Typing your final copy and works cited Type your essay in 12 point plain font, and double space the entire essay. Follow the instructions given regarding MLA format (heading, page numbers, parenthetical citations, etc.)
Alphabetize your source cards that you used in your paper as parenthetical citations, and type the information on a page titled Works Cited. This is a list of only the sources where you got the information for your parenthetical citations, not a list of all sources you looked at. Type the sources in alphabetical order, double spaced, using reverse indentation.
Note: You will be using google docs and turnitin.com to type your paper. You will receive class days to type in the English computer lab.
Step 4: Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!!!!!
2 Research Paper Outline Format Begin broad, and narrow to the thesis. I. Introduction (Who was Arthur Miller? Lead into The A. Crucible and then your thesis) B. C. D. E. Thesis statement:
II. Paragraph 2—Communism/McCarthyism history A. Topic Sentence: This will be a very long paragraph. It B. may take you from A-G, or it may take C. you from A-L! Just make sure you D. fully explain what communism is, E. what McCarthyism is, and how Arthur F. Miller was involved in all of this. G. etc. H. Concluding Sentence:
III. Paragraph 3—Parallels from McCarthyism and The Crucible A. Topic Sentence: B. First Parallel: a. Explanation/example: b. Explanation/example: C. Second Parallel:
3 a. Explanation/example: b. Explanation/example: D. Third Parallel: a. Explanation/example: b. Explanation/example: E. Concluding Sentence:
IV. Conclusion A. Restate Thesis: B. Your opinion of the trials: C. Explain: D. Explain: Narrow to broad
Example of Note Page
C
o While the House Un-American Activities Committee had been formed in 1938 as an
p
i e anti-Communist organ, McCarthy’s accusations heightened the political tensions of
d
f r the times. Known as McCarthyism, the paranoid hunt for infiltrators was notoriously
o
m
difficult on writers and entertainers, many of whom were labeled communist
w
e sympathizers and were unable to continue working. Some had their passports taken
b away, while others were jailed for refusing to give the names of other communists.
P
a House Un-American Activities Committee (anti-communist) in 1938 formed
r
a
p during the time of McCarthy’s accusations (much tension)
h
r McCarthyism—the hunt for infiltrators
a
s e Many writers and entertainers were accused, and could no longer work
d (passports revoked, some jailed)
"Arthur Miller McCarthyism." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2014. Citation information (easybib.com)
Parenthetical Citations
4 When the words are not yours, or the idea belongs to someone else, it is okay to use the information as long as you use parenthetical citations. You must have 3 parenthetical citations in your paper.
“Sentence borrowed from someone” (author’s last name). or “Sentence borrowed from someone” (“Title of Article”). or “Sentence borrowed from someone” (Title of Web Site).
All of the above information (from your parenthetical citations) will be listed on a Works Cited page (a listing of all the sources your cited in your paper with parentheses).
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