Cold War

Cold War Make an original argument of historical significance pertaining to some aspect of the Cold War, broadly defined, ca. 1945-1980s. Be sure to define a sufficiently narrow scope (reflected in a specific research question) to be able to conduct substantive research and provide special insight on your topic. In your research, you must make substantial use of at least TWO primary sources and TWO secondary sources. Your paper must properly make use of the components of a history paper, as described in the “Explanation of the Components of a History Paper”. YOU CAN FIND THE COMPONENTS ATTACHED IN THE ADDITIONAL MATERIALS. IMPORTANT NOTE: this essay should be an argument rather than a summary of events. EXPLANATION OF THE COMPONENTS OF A HISTORY PAPER In a history paper, the thesis – which will always be presented in the introductory section or paragraph – must be an original analytical claim. “Original” does not mean that it has never been made before; it simply means that it is the product of your research and analysis of pertinent evidence. The thesis must be an argument one could potentially dispute; it cannot be a statement of fact or something that is obvious to the casual observer. In history, the thesis most often takes the form of a claim about cause and effect: some complex of factors leading to a certain outcome. As such, there will be discrete elements in the thesis. These discrete elements constitute your road map and corresponding structure of the body of your paper. For example, a thesis that asserts that three factors led to a certain outcome (A + B + C = D), sets up the structure of the body of the paper as A, B, C. The order of the elements in your thesis should correspond to the order of presentation in the body of your paper. At the beginning of each section or part of your paper, you should have a topic sentence corresponding to a discrete element of your thesis. The topic sentence should make a specific claim, based on an analysis of a pertinent body of evidence, supporting the more general argument or thesis. The topic sentence, aside from serving as a label, should make an analytical claim. It might, therefore, be helpful to consider it a “mini-thesis.” Following each topic sentence, you will have the presentation of your analysis of the evidence, which constitutes the “nuts and bolts” of your essay. (Note: When we conduct research, this is actually our starting point. We begin with analysis of pertinent evidence and then make claims, which form the basis of our topic sentences and thesis.) This analysis should be logical and judicious, supporting the corresponding topic sentence and, ultimately, the thesis. If the evidence is at tension or conflict with the topic sentence and thesis, they need to be adjusted or modified in accordance with the evidence. Reality is complex, and historians seek to bring out that complexity as much as they possibly can; therefore, historians strive to be as specific, descriptive, and nuanced as possible. This task requires intensive examination of available evidence, careful word choice, and multiple revisions. In seeking to be as specific and descriptive as possible, always be sure to address not only “what” but also “how” and “why.” Expand your vocabulary, but make sure that you understand the meaning of the words you choose. Be as accurate and precise as possible in conveying your thoughts. The main role of your conclusion is to paraphrase the thesis. Remind the reader of what you argued at the beginning, and having provided compelling evidence in support of your claim, feel the satisfaction of a job well done. Feel free to address the broader significance of your findings, but do not overreach. Recognize that all historical knowledge is conditional. This approach to writing has at least two major benefits. First, it ensures that your have clear focus and purpose throughout the paper. Everything flows back into the thesis, which encapsulates the whole of your paper, by presenting the argument and delineating the scope of your research. Presenting your research in this way facilitates the reader’s reception, comprehension, and evaluation of your argument. Second, the thesis and topic sentences serve as “pivots,” which can be adjusted at any time as you revise your paper. As new evidence comes to light, you need not overhaul your paper. You simply adjust the topic sentences or add a section, tweaking your thesis accordingly.