A Good History Essay Must Be Coherent Of Its Components

A Good History Essay Must Be Coherentall Of Its Component Parts Must

A good history essay must be coherent—all of its component parts must add up to its whole. Creating a point-based outline is a fabulous way to determine whether your ideas add up to a coherent essay. The important element of a point-based outline is (as the name implies) that each section contains an analytical point—a secondary argument—that helps prove your thesis. In other words, every body paragraph should prove a point rather than merely discuss a topic. When complete, reading your thesis and each of your secondary arguments should provide a nice synthesis of your argument.

To complete a point-based outline, you should include relevant pieces of evidence underneath your secondary arguments so that all that remains to complete an actual essay is some sourcing and some analysis. Your task is to create a point-based outline that could form the basis for an essay on Republicans in Power. This should contain a question, a thesis, three paragraph secondary arguments, at least three pieces of relevant evidence, and a sketch of ideas for a conclusion. Your point-based essay should make use of this template:

Paper For Above instruction

I. Introduction

• a. Question: What are the defining characteristics and political impacts of Republican leadership when in power in recent U.S. history?
• b. Thesis: Republican dominance in American politics has consistently emphasized conservative economic policies, a focus on law enforcement and national security, and a commitment to traditional social values, shaping both domestic policy and national identity during periods of their governance.

II. Paragraph 1 secondary argument: Republican administrations prioritize economic conservatism, emphasizing tax cuts and deregulation.

• a. Evidence: The Reagan tax cuts of 1981 significantly reduced marginal tax rates, fostering economic growth but also increasing income inequality (Gordon, 2009).
• b. Evidence: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 under President Trump lowered corporate tax rates, boosting stock markets but sparking debate on fiscal deficit expansion (Pomerleau, 2018).

III. Paragraph 2 secondary argument: Republican policies focus heavily on law enforcement and national security to ensure domestic stability.

• a. Evidence: The "War on Drugs" intensified under Republican-led Congresses in the 1980s, leading to increased incarceration rates, particularly among minorities (Alexander, 2010).
• b. Evidence: Post-9/11 security policies, such as the Patriot Act passed during President Bush's administration, expanded surveillance and security measures, impacting civil liberties (Lerman & Sokolow, 2002).

IV. Paragraph 3 secondary argument: Republicans promote traditional social values, influencing social policy debates on issues like abortion and marriage.

• a. Evidence: The appointment of conservative justices to the Supreme Court during Republican presidencies led to rulings that limited abortion rights, such as the 2022 Dobbs decision (Greenhouse, 2022).
• b. Evidence: The Defense of Marriage Act (1996), signed by President Clinton but supported by many Republicans, defined marriage as between a man and a woman, reflecting conservative social priorities (Hacker & Pierson, 2002).

V. Paragraph 4 secondary argument: Republican leadership often reshapes American identity through policy shifts that emphasize patriotism and traditional values.

• a. Evidence: The "Make America Great Again" slogan under President Trump symbolized a return to perceived traditional American values, influencing political discourse (Klein, 2018).
• b. Evidence: Policies emphasizing border security and immigration restrictions reflect conservative ideals about national sovereignty and cultural preservation (Ngai, 2014).

VI. Conclusion

• a. Idea for conclusion: The enduring influence of Republican policies highlights their role in shaping American political and social landscapes through economic, security, and cultural priorities, demonstrating the importance of understanding their core principles during periods of governance.