Create the title page that helps you focus your topic and thoughts. A good title helps focus the paper and catches the attention of the reader. The title page usually includes the title of the paper, institution, course, student name, date and degree. Consult your course guidelines for specific items to be included.
Write a tentative thesis statement. This is the central theme of your paper that sets the context for your proposed paper. A good thesis statement is one sentence that answers who is involved or connected to the topic, what is the key problem or issue, where did this incident take place, when did this event happen, why is this topic important and how did it happen. The thesis statement must capture the interest of the reader.
Create a three-page prospectus. This is a blueprint that discusses how you plan to develop your ThM thesis, conduct your research and write your paper. Choose and describe your outline or graphic organizer based on your instructor's requirements and complexity of the topic. This narrative outlines where you plan to get your sources, and how you plan to write your thesis. A good timeline is essential here.
List your preliminary bibliography. This is your initial search for source material and should contain at least ten primary and secondary sources. Primary source material are first-hand accounts that provide a flavor of the times and events, while good secondary sources provide essential background and filler information.