How to Write a Research Paper on the Holocaust

Thorough reading is the key to a successful research paper.

The Holocaust was the program of genocide against Jews and other minority, ethnic and religious groups carried out by Nazi Germany and its allies during the World War II. Because the Holocaust was documented and recorded both by the Nazis and by the victorious Allies, as well as by survivors, there is a wealth of material available for a research paper. With a clear plan and proper organization, you can write a high-quality research paper on this important subject. Just follow these basic steps.

Things You'll Need

• Research texts
• Computer or pen and paper

Instructions

1. Choose your research topic. There are a wide range of topics relating to the Holocaust, such as the involvement of German industry or the tales of individual survivors. Make sure to choose a topic you can effectively address in the space available to you.

2. Collect your sources. There are a large number of historical sources available for the Holocaust, including official records, trial transcripts, the writings of survivors, and accounts of the camps by the soldiers who liberated them.

3. Read through your sources, looking for the answer to your research question. When you find evidence supporting it, get the information you'll need to cite it. You may find it helpful to put key points on note cards (either paper or electronic), along with citation information including the title of the book or article you're going to cite, the author or editor, the name of the journal in the case of an article, the date and place of publication, and the page number.

4. Write an outline for your paper. This is where the key facts you have identified in your notes will come in handy. Group key facts by type or by the point you want them to support. For example, if writing a paper about the role of the Wehrmacht in the Holocaust, you could put the testimony of ordinary soldiers together in a single paragraph, or you could put all the evidence relating to the Wehrmacht's conduct in Russia together, no matter the source.

5. Write your essay. Divide the essay into an introduction, supporting sections, and conclusion. Your introduction should state your answer to your research question, while the supporting sections explain how the evidence supports that answer. Your conclusion should restate the introduction while drawing the connection with the evidence. Always carefully cite your references, using your program's referencing format.

Tips & Warnings

• Many people find it easier to write their introduction last. This allows them to make sure it connects smoothly to the supporting sections.

References

• History in Focus: the Holocaust

Resources

• U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum: Introduction to the Holocaust
• Yad Vashem: Holocaust Resource Center