Writing history is different from writing English papers, lab reports or fiction.  It has its own rules and regulations.  Some things have to be done in a certain way.  Of course, any writing is something that requires lots of practice.  Contrary to popular belief, most people are not born to write well.  They must write and write and write.  However, since most of us don't write and write and write on a regular basis (particularly not historical writing), I have provided some tips to help you on your papers.  Most of these are common mistakes that I have seen numerous times.  Hopefully you will keep these things in mind as you write your own paper.

Personal Pronouns
Evidence
Paragraphs
Quotes
Names
Words
Verb Tense
Agreement
Active Voice versus Passive Voice
Contractions
Using the Dictionary
Using Lecture Notes and the Textbook
Final Thoughts

Personal Pronouns

The use of personal pronouns is by far the most common writing error made by students.  Typically, students tend to believe that since they are giving "an opinion" it is acceptable to refer to themselves.  This is not appropriate.  Below are examples of  inappropriate uses of personal pronouns.
Examples
Incorrect: I think Benjamin Franklin was one of the greatest Americans to ever live.

Correct:  Benjamin Franklin was one of the greatest Americans to ever live.

Students are often confused by this change, but the difference is significant.  The incorrect is clearly an opinion, which immediately tells the reader that this statement can be thrown out as irrelevant.  The correct statement sounds like a statement of fact, whether it is or not.  It is a statement the paper can then defend with evidence and prove.

Further Examples
Incorrect: We had some hard decisions to make during World War II.

Correct:  The United States had some hard decisions to make during World War II.

The first statement is incorrect because you did not live then, thus you cannot say "we."  Therefore, use pronouns that do not include a reference to you.

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Evidence

Unlike a regular English paper, an historical paper requires evidence.  This evidence make take the form of a quote or reference to an artifact.  In either case, evidence is necessary.  Essentially, history papers are a persuasive argument.  You are trying to convince the reader that your particular point of view is the only point of view the reader should believe. Thus, you need to prove you are correct.  Evidence is the only way this is possible.

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Paragraphs

As difficult as it may be to believe, not all student use paragraphs in their writing!  EVERY paper must use paragraphs.  A paragraph is used to explain one particular idea more specifically.  Look at this example: "Thomas Jefferson was a great man because he wrote the Declaration of Independence and served as the third president of the United States."  Here, this paper would have two paragraphs.  One would be on Jefferson's writing of the Declaration of Independence.  The second paragraph would be on Jefferson's terms as president.

Further, each paragraph in your paper should use a topic sentence.  A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph that defines what the paragraph will be about for the reader.  Thus, using the example above, a topic sentence would read like this: "While Jefferson was part of a committee of five, he was responsible for the bulk of the text of the Declaration of Independence." This sentence lets the reader know the paragraph will be about Jefferson and the Declaration.  Note that Jefferson and the Declaration are both referenced in this sentence.  The sentence should not read "While he was part of a committee of five, he was responsible for the most of the text." This is awkward and confuses the reader.  To whom are you referring? Text to what?  Be specific and clear!

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Quotes

When citing quotes, be sure your punctuation is in the right place.  The quotation marks end, then the citation, then the period.  The only time this changes is when using question marks or exclamation points.
Examples
Incorrect: "Although vulnerable to disruption, strong family ties had existed under slavery." (Foner, Reconstruction, 38).

Correct: "Although  vulnerable to disruption, strong family ties had existed under slavery" (Foner, Reconstruction, 38).

When using long quotes (those over 5 lines), you must indent from BOTH sides to distinguish this quote from the rest of your writing.  Further, the double-indented quote is single spaced.

Be careful of using too many quotes.  Use them only to support your point and always be sure they are properly referenced.  NEVER use a quote or a paraphrase of a quote without referencing it.  This is plagiarism!!

NOTE: Always provide a bibliography (Works Cited page) for any outside works you may use.  No works cited or bibliography is needed for documents I provide you.

It is amazing how many common words are misused, misspelled or misunderstood.  Computers have spell checks, which are helpful, but if the word you are using is spelled correctly, but still incorrect, the word will often go unnoticed.  Below are some common word errors.

Passed/Past: "Passed" is a verb, while "past" is solely an indicator of time.
    - I passed the test.  I passed her in the hallway.  He passed the corn at Thanksgiving dinner.
    - History happens in the past.
 
Knew/New: "Knew" is a past tense verb.  "New" is an adjective used to describe something.
    - I knew all the answers.  I knew what he was talking about in lecture.  The dog knew better than to do that indoors.
    - I have a new computer.  It uses the new Intel Pentium processor.

There/Their/They're: "There" is a place.  "Their" is plural possessive.  "They're" is a contraction.
    - The cat is over there.  I put the papers there, on that table.
    - This is their house.  I have their phone number.
    - They're coming to dinner. 

Except/Accept: "Except" excludes something.  "Accept" includes something.
    - I have all the Beatles CDs except Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.  You child was well behaved, except for one incident.
    - Sears accepts VISA.  He's a good ball player, but he hasn't been accepted by his teammates.

Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, etc.: These are not words.  They are commonly used, but they are incorrect.  When listing item in order, use "first," "second," "third," and so on.

Verb Tense

The most common error with verbs is in the tense.  When writing a paper on history, you should ALWAYS use the past tense.  Do not change back and forth.  The only time present tense is acceptable is when using a contemporary source that uses present tense.
Examples
Incorrect: By 1933, Hitler rules Germany.

Correct:  By 1933, Hitler ruled Germany.

Be sure to proofread your paper for this mistake.  Changing verb tense from past to present and back again is extremely common and extremely incorrect.

Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is another very common mistake.  It is important to make sure that if your subject is singular, your verb should be singular as well.  Conversely, if your subject is plural, your verb should be as well.
Examples
Incorrect: My cat walk on the windowsill.

Correct: My cats walk on the windowsill.
            OR
Correct: My cat walks on the windowsill.

Incorrect: The Marines explores caves in Afghanistan.

Correct: A Marine explores caves in Afghanistan.
            OR
Correct: The Marines explore caves in Afghanistan.

Verbs can be active or passive.  In other words, they can do something or can have something done to them.  Always use active verbs.
Examples
Passive: Europe was invaded by Hitler.

Active:  Hitler invaded Europe.

Contractions and Plurals

While I think everyone knows what a contraction is, it is important to note that unlike most other kinds of writing, historical writing does not use contractions.
Examples
Incorrect: John F. Kennedy didn't live to see 1964.

Correct: John F. Kennedy did not live to see 1964.

Another common mistake is to use the possessive case of a word instead of the plural.  A plural word means there are several of something.  A possessive means the word 'owns' something.
Examples
Incorrect: Many American's believe a war with Iraq would be bad.

Correct: Many Americans believe a war with Iraq would be bad.

Incorrect: The Centennial Exposition demonstrated Americans values at the time.

Correct: The Centennial Exposition demonstrated Americans' values at the time.
(Note that the apostrophe is after the 's', demonstrating that the sentence is discussing the values of several Americans, not just one.)

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Using the Dictionary

Using the dictionary to help understand terms is, of course, perfectly acceptable.  However, using dictionary definitions in formal writing is generally considered bad writing etiquette.  While there are exception to this, using dictionary definitions for historical writing is particularly inappropriate.  For instance, if you choose to define "liberty" in your paper, you will undoubtedly look it up in a twentieth or twenty-first century dictionary.  The definition we use for that word and the definition the people you are writing about used are going to be different.  The meanings of words change! Thus, do not use dictionary definitions.  If you believe that a particular definition or slant on the word is necessary, then define it in your own words.  If you need to look up a word, look it up, but do not include a definition from the dictionary in your paper.

The primary exception to this rule is with words that are not common.  Most Americans do not cross the terms "Free Soil" or "populism" in their every day lives.  Such terms may be defined if necessary.

Using Lecture Notes and the Textbook

Much like the dictionary, using quotes from (or references to) the lecture notes from class or the textbook is considered inappropriate.  Think Piece Papers are supposed to be an expression of your understanding and your argument.  You are trying to make a case as to why your opinion is the correct one, backing that opinion up with evidence from the documents provided.  Thus, using lecture notes or the textbook miss the point of the assignment.

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Final Thoughts

These are by no means all the grammar violations that happen in papers, but are by far the most common.  If you have questions, feel free to contact me.  Your BEST option though is to proofread!  To get the most out of proofreading, do one of two things.  First, read the paper out loud to yourself.  Generally, if something does not sound quite right, it probably is not.  Second, have someone you trust read the paper.  By trust, I mean someone who is willing to be critical of your work. 

Good luck!

Foner quotes from Eric Foner, A Short History of Reconstruction, 1863-1877, New York: Harper & Row, 1990.