A thesis on the history of darts

Back again with a new assignment. :-)

This week I have to do a research paper, however, we weren't given much instruction. The only specs were 2-3 pages, no opinions, and atleast 3 sources.

Having talked with the professor for a minute about ideas, he suggested the history of darts. (I missed class this past weekend for a dart tournament, which he knew. =)) Having never done a research paper before, I'm a little confused if they require the thesis, supporting info, and conclusion/arguement statement since we haven't even discussed this is class before and it wasn't mentioned in the requirements. Are these things just standard, without mentioning?

IF that is the case, how in the world would I do a thesis on the history of darts? Doesn't that essentially mean I'm trying to pursaude someone?

Thanks!!

Greetings!

Yes, your research paper will essentially follow that formula of thesis/supporting evidence/conclusion. Your thesis need not be earth-shattering in order to take a position. Is there any argument about where darts first arose? If there is, you could say something like, "Although some historians feel the first game of darts was played in what is now Northern Ireland, the greater weight of evidence suggests the game dates back to Bronze Age Tibet" (I made that up;-)) Perhaps there was at one time debate about how the game should be scored, or places where the game was banned after someone got killed in a pub, fighting over a win. I once owned a boar bristle board made in South Africa, and someone told me there had been a boycott of South African dart boards because of apartheid; I have no idea if that's true, but it might be worth exploring! Have a look at whatever articles and books you can find on the history of darts before you decide which direction your paper should go. Just try to come up with something more than "the history of darts is long and interesting." There's always some sort of assertion you can make, even if it's only "the history of darts shows that this game deserves to be a part of the Olympics."

Good luck!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com