What are some common problems that professors find in history papers?

In terms of the argument and organization:

• The paper lacks a thesis statement.  It is not clear what the main point of the paper is or where the argument is going.
• The thesis statement is more of a description than an explanation of the central argument.
• The paper has a persuasive thesis statement but the evidence is weak or lacking.
• The author does not make clear the connections between ideas/evidence and the main argument.  For example, why did he/she use a particular source and not others?  How does each argument or piece of evidence connect with the thesis statement?
• The paper is a summary of what other scholars have said about a given topic; the author has not put her/his own “voice” or argument in the paper.  Why is all of this important? Why should I read this piece?
• Ideas are not well organized and it is difficult to follow the writer's reasoning.
• Transitions from one paragraph or idea to another are rough; the reading does not “flow.”

In terms of punctuation:

•  Quotations from sources are not handled correctly.  Remember:

•  Do not use quotation marks (“) when indenting a quote in a paper.

•  If a quote is larger than 4 lines then, indent it and put it as a separate “paragraph.”  Always explain and/or connect the quote to your argumentation so the reader knows why that quote is there.

•  In English, and if quoting someone at the end of a sentence, the quotation marks always end after the final period.  

• Example: According to Díaz, “women increasingly brought domestic matters to the state during the nineteenth century.” [1]

•  Sentences are so long and complex that they become run-on sentences.

•  Titles of works that are referred to in the text are not underlined or italicized.

•  The source of tables, pictures, maps or figures included in the text are not indicated at the bottom.

•  When word-processing the paper, the writer has not included two spaces after each period.  

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[1] Arlene J. Diaz, Female Citizens, Patriarchs, and the Law in Venezuela, 1786-1904, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2004, 7.