History Position Paper: Is It A Point Of View Paper?

Paper 2a History Position Paper Is A Point of View Paper Based On Anal

Develop a point of view paper based on analysis and supporting evidence, presenting one side of an arguable opinion about an issue in history. The goal is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid, defensible, and worth listening to. Select a controversial, manageable topic from provided options, develop an argument or thesis, analyze the issue with both pro and con sides supported by evidence, organize your paper into an introduction, analysis (including counterarguments and refutations), and conclusion. Use at least two in-text citations and MLA style bibliography. The paper should contain at least three comprehensive paragraphs with a minimum of 300 words.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the importance of historical analysis and the development of well-supported arguments is essential to constructing an effective position paper. This particular assignment requires selecting a controversial yet manageable topic related to American history, of which there are several options including the causes of the Cold War, the significance of the Civil Rights movement, or the impact of the Vietnam War. The core objective is to present a clear stance through a thesis statement and to defend that stance with logical reasoning and credible evidence, including primary and secondary sources.

In developing a compelling argument, students must conduct thorough research and critically evaluate different perspectives. For instance, if choosing to argue about the causes of the Cold War, one might examine the role of ideological differences, military policies, and economic interests, supporting each point with evidence from scholarly sources and primary documents. Then, address opposing viewpoints—such as the idea that the Cold War was primarily driven by Soviet aggression—and systematically refute these with supporting evidence. This process not only demonstrates understanding of the complexity of historical issues but also highlights the student's ability to critically analyze and synthesize information.

The organization of the paper should facilitate clarity and logical flow, beginning with an engaging introduction that introduces the topic and states the thesis. The body should contain well-developed paragraphs presenting the counterargument followed by a rebuttal, with each paragraph starting with a topic sentence and supported by evidence. The concluding paragraph should restate the thesis, summarize key points, and reflect on the implications of the argument. Proper citation of sources in MLA format is crucial, both in-text and in the bibliography, to establish credibility and acknowledge original authorship. Mastering these elements ensures the student produces a coherent, persuasive, and academically sound position paper that contributes meaningfully to historical discourse.

References

• Gaddis, John Lewis. The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Press, 2005.
• Leffler, Melvyn P., and David S. Painter. Origins of the Cold War: An International History. Routledge, 1994.
• McCullough, David. Truman. Simon & Schuster, 1992.
• Westad, Odd Arne. The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times. Cambridge University Press, 2005.
• Kennan, George F. “The Sources of Soviet Conduct,” Foreign Affairs, 1947.
• LaFeber, Walter. America, Russia, and the Cold War, 1945-2000. McGraw-Hill, 2000.
• Harrison, Thomas P. The Cold War: An International History. Routledge, 2006.
• Shaw, Martin. The Cold War: A New History. A&C Black, 2007.
• Zubok, Vladislav M. A Failed Empire: The Soviet Union in the Cold War from Stalin to Gorbachev. University of North Carolina Press, 2007.
• Fainberg, E. “The Impact of the Cold War on U.S. Foreign Policy,” Journal of American History, 2012.