Frequently Asked Homework and Research Questions

Medieval History

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Medieval History

Frequently Asked Questions

Homework, School Projects and Research

If you're looking for general help with homework, try the About Homework Help site.

Can you answer my homework questions?
Can I interview you for my school project?

I'm brand new to medieval history and I don't know where to begin!

I've already done extensive research into a particular medieval subject and I was hoping you could help me find more information.

I am a teacher looking for lesson plans or ideas for projects.

I'm a writer working on a story set in the Middle Ages. Can you verify some facts for me?

Can you answer my homework questions?
    No. Your teacher would never forgive me, and I have to admit, I have a hard time seeing any reason why I should do your work for you. If you send me your homework questions, you can expect no reply. In fact, emails that request (or, more often, demand) answers are deleted as soon as I see them.
   However, this entire site is designed to help you do your work yourself! Start by visiting our directory. If you have any trouble finding something, check out this help page. And don't forget to check out the Medieval History questions to see if the your question has already been answered.
    If there's something you don't understand about your homework question or your textbook, ask your teacher.
    And remember: the Internet, contrary to popular belief, doesn't have everything. You would be wise to start your research at your local library. Also, please feel free to post to our forum or one of the multitude of Medieval Mailing lists.

Notice: Prefacing your homework question with the statement "this is not a homework question" will not get a response!

I regularly delete a handful of such emails each week, and I'm considering posting them at the site for the general amusement of our visitors.

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Can I interview you for my school project?
    I'm sorry, but my time is too limited to conduct an interview properly, and as all previous requests for interviews were merely lists of homework questions, I must decline.

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I'm brand new to medieval history and I don't know where to begin!
    Try your Guide's feature, Welcome to the Middle Ages, for an introduction to medieval studies, useful links, and suggested reading to get you started.

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I've already done extensive research into a particular medieval subject and I was hoping you could help me find more information.
    The field of medieval studies is vast, and one person -- say, an amateur medievalist like your Guide -- is not likely to have the esoteric information you're looking for. While I welcome your question and would enjoy talking about it with you, you'd see better results if you posted on our forum or joined a discussion list. In these arenas you are more likely to run into someone who has conducted research in the same field and can give you advice and sources.
   Also, be sure to check the references given in the works you already have.
   For help in approaching a discussion list for research assistance, please see your Guide's feature, Medieval Mailing Lists: Using a List to Aid in Research.

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I am a teacher looking for lesson plans or ideas for projects.
    Unfortunately, the field of medieval studies is not one that primary or secondary schools investigate on a regular basis in the United States. Therefore there are very few medieval-related lesson plans readily available anywhere, let alone on the web. You will probably have to create your own plan, but if you use our directory, you can frequently find the basic information you need.
   I have no background in teaching and could not begin to tell you how to make a lesson plan; but you can find excellent resources for teaching in About's Education channel.

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I'm a writer working on a story set in the Middle Ages. Can you verify some facts for me?
   I applaud your efforts to write a historically-accurate piece. However, I am not an "authority" on medieval studies and cannot give you a definitive answer without embarking upon a course of research. If you do not have a research staff, or if you can't afford to hire a fact-checker, I urge you to do your research yourself. Your immersion in the medieval milieu will come through in your writing.
   To find the answers you're looking for, try our directory. If you have any difficulty, check out this help page.

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