China history paper outline

Outline Guideline HIS40B CHINA MODULE

Basics

• Length: 2-3 pages • Deadline: When Japan

Module 2 is up (you’ll still have around 2 more weeks!)

• Guideline: Dr Christy’s instruction

• Sample Paper will be Uploaded on Canvas soon!

Deadline: Listen to the Talking Cat (again!)

Deadline: when the Second Japan Module is live & up

Wait, when is that?

Sorry, we can’t confirm a set deadline yet. But it won’t be up until the end of the

week7. We’ll make sure you have enough time to work on the outline.

INITIAL IDEA

READING NOTE-

TAKING

CRITICAL THINKING

OUTLINE WRITING (MORE!)

FINISHED DRAFT

Point #1: Outline is NOT the first step of your paper

This is what you need to submit!

Point #2: Outline still is your conversation with a reader

An outline is not a perfect history paper, but you don’t

want to send a chaotic collection of thoughts either

You will learn to make your points clearly without too

much detail with this assignment

Argument Analysis Demonstration

Things that are important in an outline

Citation GrammarLanguage ChoiceFormat

Things you can care less in an outline

Logic

Step 1: Prompt Read the prompt carefully and choose the question you want to answer. Identify what the prompt wants so that you can get all the points!

Theme 1: Imperialism

It has been an argument of this class that colonialism or imperialism has been a constant and crucial theme of modern East Asian history, even after the period of formal colonialism ended in 1945. Write a short essay analyzing how colonialism has been understood by specific authors in at least three sources from across the twentieth century. How do they identify the features of colonialism or imperialism? How do they assess its impact on their lives or the lives of their compatriots and neighbors? What measures do they advocate (if any) in response?

Theme 2: Revolution

It has been an argument of this class that the histories of China, Japan and Korea have been permeated with the struggle to make changes (or resist such changes) of a revolutionary character. Write a short essay analyzing how revolution has been understood by specific authors in at least three sources from across the twentieth century. What problems are revolutionary changes expected to address? What elements of society or the individual are targeted for revolutionary change? What visions of a future do the authors entertain should their revolutionary (or counter-revolutionary) goals be achieved?

Theme 3:Modernity

It has been an argument of this class that modernity in East Asia has not simply been “Westernization,” a process of implantation into East Asian society of Western values and practices. Rather, we have argued that while Western values and practices have often been used as models or sources, the social transformation known as modernization has been carried out by Asians themselves in accordance with their own agendas. Write a short essay analyzing how modernity, or the process of modernization, has been understood by specific authors in at least three sources from across the twentieth century. What does it mean to be “modern” or to “modernize?” What elements of society require or have succumbed to modernization? What are the costs of not modernizing (or of modernizing) and who bears them? Who will benefit?

Step 2: Ideas Just take 25 minutes. Write down the prompt that you chose. See if you can answer the sample questions in the prompt. Which source do you want to use? What do you remember from your reading and lecture?

Step 3: Reading Note

Now that you have your initial thoughts written down, go back to your reading notes. You already have a good resource: your weekly Source Analysis Worksheet. Find the evidence that will help you demonstrate your argument. See if your initial idea changed after reading them.

Step 4: Analysis Now you have an idea of answers to the prompt questions (which will eventually be your argument) and reading notes (with notes for analysis) Don’t just summarize author’s arguments. Delve into author’s language!

Step 5: Making an Argument

Now you have all the right ingredients to make a clear argument. What is the one sentence that best describes your answer to the prompt & your analysis can demonstrate? Write that down!

Step 6: Thesis (IMPORTANT)

So, you have a set of “arguments” – “demonstration (analysis)” combos from your readings. Now it’s time to think about the big picture: the thesis. What’s the overarching argument of all your mini combos? You’ll present it in the beginning of your outline.

Step 7: Organization

Now you have a “thesis” and “argument-demonstration combos.” Think about the best way to organize your "argument- demonstration” to prove your thesis effectively. One method that historians love to use is to organize them chronologically. (or by sources, topics, etc.)

Step 8: Logic Now you have a thesis and 3 paragraphs of argument- demonstration analysis. Read them again and check your logic. Does this make sense? Is there any logical flaws? (If there is any, can you fix it?)

Step 9: Conclusion

Congrats! You’re almost there. In conclusion, restate your argument. And add something extra that the reader can walk out with (e.g., ideas for future discussion, etc.)

Step 10: Proofread

Set your personal deadline at least a day before the official one. Finish your first draft. Sleep on it. Read your writing again the next day with a fresh mind. Check if your outline flows well, your thesis/arguments are clear, and they are well demonstrated by proper analysis.

Still Confused? • Contact Your friendly

neighberhood TA: Kyu ([email protected]) Robin ([email protected])

• If you need any adjustment to your deadline & schedule contact your TAs as well!