Write a 300-500 word entry for ConnecticutHistory.org, a web publication by Connecticut Humanities, on a designated topic relevant to our seminar. For the first draft, focus primarily on your writing; for the second draft, revise your writing and add images and/or links to digital resources (such as documents, photos, interviews, videos).
- Draft1 (focus primarily on text) due by the end of Monday October 15th on your shared Google Document (worth 4 points, scored by editor)
- Post constructive comments on 2 designated essays before seminar on Wed Oct 17th (worth 1 point each, scored by instructor)
- Draft2 (revised writing, with images & links) due by the end of Monday October 22nd on WordPress (category=history) (worth 4 points, scored by editor)
Designated topics: Follow link to topic organizer on this shared Google Document. Submit your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices for topics.
Contributor Guidelines by Clarissa Ceglio (Clarissa@cthumanities.org), modified for the Cities Suburbs Schools seminar:
How to Write a Short Entry of 300-500 Words for ConnecticutHistory.org
ConnecticutHistory.org is a state history resource written for a diverse set of readers, ranging from students, educators, and history buffs to internet surfers in search of the curious and captivating. Of course, as a public history project, we not only want to attract readers, we want to educate them. We do so by providing engaging, well-researched stories about Connecticut history that link to reliable primary and interpretive resources. These include related primary source documents, artifacts, images, digital media materials, online databases, finding aids, etc. Our goal is to direct readers to the institutions, archives, museums, and communities that hold and interpret the materials that reveal the diversity of Connecticut’s history.
Note: Biographical entries on living people will not be accepted by this publication.
Format: These sample entries on Yung Wing and a Bird’s-eye view map are useful guides. As you’ll see, articles must include:
- a headline
- body copy of 500 words or less
- one or two subheads that call out the main theme of the paragraphs they introduce
- at least one image
- a list of two or more “Learn More” resources.
As in the bird’s-eye view map example, we will also include your byline; so please provide a single-sentence author biography that includes your name and institutional affiliation(s).
Begin with a Summary Paragraph: The opening paragraph should summarize the most significant information about your subject and its importance to Connecticut’s history. Some readers scan articles for the “bottom line” and that information should be immediately accessible.
Style: Entries must be accurate in their facts and offer balanced, authoritative historical interpretations. Avoid scholarly jargon, and express your points clearly. You need not avoid complicated concepts, just be sure to explain them for readers who do not share your subject-matter expertise. Likewise, when matters are currently debated, educate readers about the different scholarly positions being taken. Follow the Chicago Manual of Style. One exception: use numerals for numbers greater than nine, e.g., the 19th century, 213 kegs, two children, etc.
List Your Sources: We do not use footnotes or in-text citations. But do provide a list of all the works you consulted for your article. In addition, please recommend appropriate online resources that will help readers learn more about your topic. These can include digitized primary source documents, databases, finding aids, Web sites for physical venues (such as museums and archives), etc. Online resources must have these three qualities: accuracy, authority, and accessibility. Authoritative websites include contact information for a named individual and/or organization responsible for content. Acceptable sites include .org, .edu, nsn.us, and .gov. Use of .com sources, especially if they include any advertising, is discouraged. Websites should be stable in nature and not require a password for user access.
For this assignment, set Zotero Preferences > Export citation style to “Chicago full note” and drag-and-drop bibliographic entries to the bottom of your entry.
Illustrate Your Entry: Insert digital images and links (to documents, photos, interviews, video clips) to serve as compelling visual evidence for your entry. Images must fall within the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 License OR be submitted along with written permission from—and contact information for—the copyright holder. Ideally, digital images should be a minimum of 610 pixels wide, and in JPG format.
What Happens Next: Your first and second drafts will receive public feedback from the editor, your instructor, and your classmates. Also, the editor will forward numerical scores to the instructor, which will be recorded privately on Moodle. In addition, the editor might encourage some authors to revise & resubmit their entries to ConnecticutHistory.org, but there is no guarantee that your submission will be accepted for publication. If it is accepted, the editor will secure your approval of the final, copyedited draft before publishing it under your byline. If you have any questions about the process, speak with your instructor or contact Clarissa Ceglio at 860-685-7564 or Clarissa@cthumanities.org.