📚 MA History – Electives & Projects
Topic: Project Work
1. What Is Project Work?
- A project is a big assignment where you dig into a topic that interests you.
- Think of it like a research paper but longer and more in‑depth.
- You choose a question or theme and answer it using books, archives, interviews, or data.
2. Why Do We Do Projects?
| Reason | Everyday Analogy |
|---|---|
| Show deep understanding | Cooking a full meal instead of just a snack |
| Build research skills | Building a Lego model, not just following instructions |
| Prepare for future work | Writing a résumé before you apply for a job |
| Express your own ideas | Writing a diary entry about your day |
3. How to Start
| Step | Action | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pick a Topic | Choose something you’re curious about. | Use a sticky note: “What sparks my interest?” |
| 2. Form a Question | Turn your topic into a clear question. | Example: “How did the 1918 flu affect women in London?” |
| 3. Check Feasibility | Look at available sources, time, and resources. | Ask: “Can I find enough info in 3 months?” |
| 4. Make a Plan | Outline stages: research, writing, editing, presentation. | Draw a simple timeline on a poster board. |
4. The Research Phase
| Activity | What It Means | Everyday Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Read Primary Sources | Original documents from the time (letters, newspapers). | Reading a diary from the past. |
| Read Secondary Sources | Books or articles that explain those primary sources. | Watching a documentary about the diary’s era. |
| Take Notes | Write down key facts, quotes, and your own reflections. | Jotting down bookmarks on a sticky note. |
| Organize Information | Group notes by theme or chronology. | Sorting colored beads by color. |
5. Writing the Project
| Section | What to Include | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Title Page | Title, your name, date. | “The 1918 Flu and Women Workers in London” |
| Abstract | One paragraph summarising the project. | “This project examines how the 1918 flu pandemic changed women’s work in London, using letters, newspapers, and census data.” |
| Introduction | State the question and why it matters. | “The 1918 flu was a global crisis. I want to see its impact on women in London.” |
| Methodology | Describe how you searched for info. | “I searched the British Library’s digital archives for 1918 newspapers.” |
| Findings | Present evidence in order. | “Letters show women took over factory jobs.” |
| Discussion | Explain what the findings mean. | “Women gained experience that helped post‑war employment.” |
| Conclusion | Sum up, answer the question, suggest future research. | “The flu accelerated women’s workforce participation.” |
| References | List all sources. | “The Times, 1918, p. 5.” |
6. Presentation (Optional)
- Poster: Use pictures, charts, and short text.
- Oral: Speak for 5–10 minutes, then answer questions.
- Digital: Create a short slide deck or video.
7. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Fix |
|---|---|
| Too broad a topic | Narrow it to one specific event or group. |
| Using only one type of source | Combine letters, newspapers, and statistics. |
| Not citing sources | Write down every source as you read. |
| Skipping the outline | Draft a simple outline before writing. |
8. Tiny Example Project Outline
| Stage | Action | Mini‑Example |
|---|---|---|
| Topic | “Women’s roles during the 1918 flu in Manchester.” | |
| Question | “How did the flu change women’s employment in Manchester?” | |
| Sources | Letters, local newspapers, census data. | |
| Timeline | Month 1: Gather sources Month 2: Read & note Month 3: Write draft Month 4: Edit & prepare poster |
|
| Deliverables | Paper (≈10 pages), Poster (≈30 cm × 40 cm) |
9. Quick Checklist Before Submission
- Title, abstract, and references on the first page.
- All sources cited in the bibliography.
- Proofread for spelling and grammar.
- Poster or slides ready (if required).
- Practice a short oral summary.
10. Final Thought
Project work is like a journey.
You start with a question, gather clues, and then share the story you uncovered. The skills you build—research, writing, critical thinking—are useful for any job or study after your MA.
Good luck, and enjoy the adventure! 🚀