Paper details:
(CC 8004 Fall 2017
Guidelines for longer essay (Due Tuesday, 5 December, by 10 pm, to turnitin)
This essay (1800-2000 words) should be based on exactly two scholarly journal articles that make an
analytical argument*, and exactly one film (which could be a feature film. a documentary. or even a short
television clip, e.g., found on YouTube). The assignment as described below is highly specific, and you should
do exactly what the assignment asks.
Select one of the individuals who are covered in the Ken Wolf book, or an event/ topic in World History since
1300. If you select an event/ topic. then you might think of things we covered in class, like the Mongol
conquest of China, or World War II, or the New Imperialism, or the French Revolution. or the Chinese Civil War,
etc. These are only examples; you are free to select a topic that interests you, but the source requirement is
the same regardless: exactly two scholarly journal articles that make an analytical argument, and exactly one
film.
Your task is very straightforward: you should write an analytical essay that compares the arguments or
approaches in the three sources. You may explain how they disagree with each other. or how they
complement/ supplement each other, whichever is appropriate. But in any case, it is your job to make the
three sources relate to each other. You need
to make explicit comparisons, not just write three unconnected summaries.
Your essay should have all of the normal components: an introduction stating what the topic is and what you
will argue (i.e., what is your thesis); well-connected and well- organized paragraphs; and a conclusion that
summarizes your main points.
Remember: your argument is about the 3 sources and how they relate to each other- not just a paper about
your chosen topic.
Do not “copy-and-paste” from your sources. You should read and understand the sources, and articles you
have chosen, and then write your own words-not the authors’ words-describing them.
Note: You will need to pick scholarly journal articles that you can understand. If you don’t understand an
article, then pick a different article that you do understand.
In addition, if you find that you simply cannot find any connections among your three sources, no matter how
hard you try, then you will need to replace one or more of them. The good news is that there are thousands of
scholarly journal articles and films, and you only need to choose two journal articles and one film.
Please provide your person/ event/ topic and your three sources (journal articles and film) by1 November, via
Turnitin. Students who do this will get feedback on their sources and an automatic 5 points added to their
essay score; students who do not do this will have 5 points deducted from their essay score.
