his 1102 02

Paper 2

A history position paper is a point of view paper based on analysis and supporting evidence.  It presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid, defensible, and worth listening to. 

For this assignment, you need to select a topic from the list below, develop your argument/thesis, analyze the issue, and cite sources.  The paper should contain at least three comprehensive paragraphs with a minimum of 300 words. 

The following are guidelines for your paper:

· Selecting a Topic

· To take a side on a subject, you should first select a topic that is controversial, manageable, and contains distinctive opposing views.  Please select from the list below.

· Developing an Argument

· Once your topic is selected, you should do some study and research on the subject matter.  You need then develop an argument or a thesis, analyze the issue, making sure that your position is well supported with a list of both pro and con sides of the topic and sufficient evidence for both sides.  You may find supporting evidence in books, articles, and primary sources that can be located in our class and online sources, particularly SCC library catalogue and electric databases.  

· Organizing the Paper

· In organizing the paper, you need to develop an outline that include a brief introduction, counter argument, your argument, and conclusion.  

· Introduction: The Introduction should introduce the topic and its significance.  It should assert your thesis or your view of the issue.  This paragraph is your thesis statement with both your opinion and your approach to the issue so that the reader is interested in what you have to say.

· Analysis: This section includes two parts— opposing opinion and your argument. In presenting the opposing opinions, you need to summarize the counter argument, and refuting those claims with supporting evidence.  It is critical to show that your argument is more valid than opposing arguments with analysis and evidence.  It’s recommended that you provide evidence for each opinion using more than one source.

· Conclusion: The conclusion paragraph is to restate your argument and discusses its implications.

· Citing Sources

· Source citations are important for the position paper.  It should include at least two in-text source citations and a selected bibliography using MLA style.  To learn more about MLA Style, check the Sinclair Library site at http://libguides.sinclair.edu/c.php?g=48795&p=313696.

  Possible Topics:

1. Why did the Cold War begin?  How do you evaluate Joseph Stalin’s speech in 1946 and the Truman Doctrine?

2. Did the anti-communist Red Scare and McCarthyism make sense?  Why and why not?

3. In the conflict between Senator McCarthy and CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow (see "A Report on Senator Joseph R. McCarthy), which position do you support and why?

4. How do you evaluate the labor unrest after World War II?  Do you support or oppose the Taft-Hartley anti-labor law in 1946? Why?

5. Should the United States fight in Korea?  Why or why not?

Paper 3

This assignment is a reflection paper on the significance of a historical issue in today’s world.  You may select a topic from the list below or chose a subject of your own liking.  The goal of this paper is to provide critical reflection and analysis on the continuity and change in American history based on topics we have examined this semester.  This paper should contain three or more comprehensive paragraphs with a minimum of 300 words.  

The following are guidelines for your paper: 1.    Selecting a Topic:  You need to select a history topic covered in class that has modern day connections.     2.    Writing the Paper:  Your paper should include three sections – introduction, body, and conclusion. 

· Introduction – should provide an overview of the issue and your thesis statement.

· Body – should discuss the issue in detail and depth.  It contains two or more points in separate paragraphs to support your thesis statement.  Each paragraph in the body should start with a topic sentence, followed with analysis and supporting evidence.  

· Conclusion – wraps up your essay, restating your thesis statement and the main points from the body paragraphs as a recap.  

· Source Citations – are important to document your evidence and give credit to the source.  There should be three or more in-text source citations from the assigned readings and course materials.

The following are some broad issues for you to consider; please make sure that your topic is specific and manageable.

1.  The effects of the Reconstruction Amendments on equality and race relations

2.  The causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution

3.  The Great Depression and the New Deal

4.  The impact of World War I and World War II on the US

5.  The origins of the Cold War and it's impact on American society in the 1950s

6.   The Vietnam War

7.   The Great Society under President Lyndon Johnson

8.   The Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s

9.   The rise of conservativism under President Reagan

10.   The War on Terror 

11.   The rise of modern environmentalism

12.   Health care reform under President Obama