essay

Books: 1-Black Boy: A Record of Childhood and Youth 2-Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War: An Oral History first, I want to know if you have an access to these books? and for the instruction see attached. Paper Assignment History 202B Fall 2015 In a well-organized essay of 4-6 pages, respond to the statements and questions listed below. Be sure to provide references and examples from the assigned readings (see below). You are responsible for the entirety of Black Boy and Bloods. Since this is a take-home assignment, grammar, spelling, and the like will carry more weight in the computation of the final grade than is the case for an exam. Compare and contrast the Africa-American experience of the segregated South and the Vietnam War. Try to keep in mind the relatively different time periods, settings, and the fact that protagonists are of different ages. The idea for this assignment is to provide a thesis argument for you essay and then defend it—justify the veracity of that thesis—using textual evidence and explanatory reasoning. In making your arguments, you must provide examples from the texts for support. Rather than using formal footnotes/endnotes, follow these instructions. At the end of a citation--either a complete quotation or a paraphrase (putting the author’s ideas into your own words)--place the author’s name and the page numbers in parentheses. For example, a quotation: “I really like to teach history.” (Beirich, 21); a paraphrase: Some people like to teach history. (Beirich, 21) These methods are used to teach you about the issue of plagiarism, and to show you that historians always try to attribute properly their sources. This is the idea: You cannot claim another’s ideas as your own. In addition, avoid quoting from the Introductions of the three works. The information contained in them is provided as background material only. Make your arguments from the texts themselves--there is more than enough information present for you to make realistic conclusions about the works. Your essay should use a standard format: 12 font, double spaced, one inch margin. Be sure to proofread your paper carefully; spelling, grammar, and other issues related to proper presentation and usage are a significant part of this assignment. In addition, your paper must be presented to me as a hard copy, in class, on the day it is due, and you must submit it electronically to turnitin.com as well. Failure to follow both of these instructions will result in the paper grade not being recorded until they are completed. If you have any questions regarding topic, thesis argument, paper format, and/or presentation, please do not hesitate to ask. In most cases I can alleviate a concern before it becomes a problem, but you have to ask for help or make me aware of the situation ahead of time. Informing me of any and all issues near to or on the day the paper is due makes it extremely difficult for me to help you. Goals of Assignment Use appropriate organizational structure(s) Practice and reinforce essay organization that revolves around claims Practice researching interesting sources beyond the textbook as well as evaluating good quality sources Practice MLA documentation Use quotes and paraphrases to support your claims. Practice articulating a one-sentence thesis statement that reflects complex analysis Practice using freewriting or other invention strategies to discover the topic Improve grammar and sentence structure Description In this essay, I ask that you explore some PLACE in California that interests you. You may use one of the assigned essays as a starting point. In most cases, focusing on a place you know well will be easiest. However, you will have to find good quality research to help you evaluate this place. Your task is to analyze this place’s culture, the history behind the culture, the way the topography and geography contribute to the culture. You are essentially asserting a thesis about the culture of the place you’ve chosen. The definition essay structure is probably the most appropriate for this topic, but this structure is not required. Consider this definition of “culture” (there are many): British anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor in 1874 described culture in the following way: "Culture or civilization, taken in its wide ethnographic sense, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society." As expressed in the sample essays and class discussion, most places are shaped by geographical, political, social and economic factors, among other things. For example, the essay on Silicon Valley asserts very specific work ethics and lifestyles that spring from the dominance of the high tech industry base there; although other areas might be influenced by other industry, the influence would be a little different, as another essay we discussed shows how the oil industry, mixed with the geography and weather, shape the culture and ethic of San Joaquin Valley. Begin by researching the history of the place. You will no doubt be surprised by events that shaped its past that you were unaware of. Your paper will develop specific claims about which factors shape the culture of the selected area. Every place is different, so this will be your thesis and analysis. For some areas, an industry may dominate its culture; for other places it distance from large cities; for others a famous event might define it most, or the presence of an important university. Be sure each claim has adequate support—narrative, description, statistics, facts, quotes, experts, research, surveys, et cetera. Your thesis will essentially be a one- sentence synthesis of the individual claims defining the culture. One requirement for this essay is that you use US Census Bureau statistics in some way to support your analysis (if you are analyzing the culture of a place that is not isolated in the US Census, see me about finding alternative statistics).You may want to do primary research, including interviewing residents or business/community leaders, or sitting in on town council meetings, or researching original newspaper articles. Alternative Assignment You have the option to write essay #3 on the current state of water resources in California. You might focus on a specific area such as the San Joaquin Valley or Los Angeles. You are required to use a minimum of two researched sources. There are articles in the California Dreams and Realities textbook on reserve in El Luria library that may be useful (though they are not current). Special considerations for this essay form 1. As always, DO NOT write “I think,” “I believe,” I feel,” and do not write a conclusion that begins “In conclusion.” You need to divest yourselves of these bad habits before you complete this class. 2. Consider the variety of organizational styles used in the sample readings. These readings are intended to give you ideas. You might also scan the titles of the essays in the book to get other ideas. 3. If all else fails, go to the reference desk in our library and ask a librarian for help finding information for you location. 4. Use no fewer than two quotes or paraphrases from quality researched sources. Be sure each is introduced with a signal phrase. Be sure each has a correct in-text citation. 5. Include a works cited as a separate page (page 5). Use at least TWO good sources. Our textbook may be used as one source. 6. Make a conscious choice to use one of the introduction and conclusion strategies discussed in class. Write an introduction that makes someone want to read your essay, and be sure your conclusion is more stimulating than simply summarizing. 7. Avoid writing a paper that sounds like a tourist brochure or chamber of commerce ad. This is an analysis, not a promotion. To this end, avoid using literature or websites targeted at tourists. 8. This is not a personal narrative. Start your essay with an explicit thesis statements in the introductory paragraph, preferably the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. Only use personal observations or descriptions to support your claims. (Although some of our readings tended to be written in a very personal style, they were all analytical. If you feel unsure about how to combine the personal with the analytical, then focus on an analytical paper.) Specifications Paper length is a minimum of 1250 words ( approx. 4 pages) typed, double-spaced, using MLA style format with page 5 as the Works Cited. and an outline of the paper is nee