French Revolution and the Syrian Conflict Essay

French Revolution and the Syrian Conflict Essay

Submitted on Canvas, final hard copy to me by 12:00pm on Monday, November 23.  Late papers lose 5% for each day it is late.

Essay Prompt:  As we have studied the transition from absolutism to democracy in Europe, there are parallels between the French Revolution and the Arab Spring in 2011. However, some countries like Syria have evolved in drastically different ways from Revolutionary France. Please contrast the differences between the current Syrian Conflict with the French Revolution. Choose one major theme and be sure to examine at least 3 distinct differences within that theme supported with strong data.

Themes:

• Rulers
• Migration
• Terror
• Outside influences/nations
• Religion

Your introduction should begin by explaining the basic similarities of the French Revolution and the Arab Spring, especially in the beginning in Syria and your thesis should signal and argue for the vast differences.

Syrian Conflict research links/News Articles:

All articles/video links are on Canvas

Image copyright: Abu Malik al-Shami

This picture depicts the changing nature of the Syrian conflict, from peaceful protests (2011), to regime forces (2012), to rebel gains (2013), and finally the rise of Islamic State (2014)

Prepare (Collect data, formulate an argument, organize your material, memorize)

Perform (Exceptionally put your ideas to paper)

Prosper (Reap the rewards of your preparation and performance)

Introduction (5/65)                                                                

Original, Exemplary	Strong, Commendable	Useful, Capable	Basic, Fair	Lacking, Poor
5	4.5	4	3.5	3

• A creative title
• First sentence used to “hook” the reader
• Then at least three sentences of FR, Arab Spring background/historical context that sets up the thesis
• DO NOT WRITE A THESIS INTRODUCTION (Meaning:  don’t respond to the prompt in the first four sentences)

Thesis (13/65)                                

Original, Exemplary	Strong, Commendable	Useful, Capable	Basic, Fair	Lacking, Poor
13	12	11   10	9	8

• A sophisticated, insightful, crystal clear thesis states your argument and “drives” your essay
• Thesis makes a claim that is analytical answering “why” or “How” (Hint:  use the word “because”)
• The thesis is the last sentence of the Introduction but is linked to each body paragraph topic (Claim) sentence

Body:  Claim/Evidence  (15/65)                     

Original, Exemplary	Strong, Commendable	Useful, Capable	Basic, Fair	Lacking, Poor
15	14	13   12	11	10

• Each topic (Claim) sentence must link to the Thesis otherwise I won’t read the paragraph; therefore no checks!
• Each topic (Claim) sentence must be supported with evidence from resources (utilizing details/facts– People, Setting, Quotes…Do Not Generalize!!!)
• Each detail/fact will be checked (ü).  The more checks (ü) the better!

Body: Warrant/Analysis (17/65)   

Original, Exemplary	Strong, Commendable	Useful, Capable	Basic, Fair	Lacking, Poor
17	16	15   14	13	12

• Include creative and thoughtful analysis
  • Say something interesting and unique
  • How does your Evidence prove your thesis’s point of view?
  • Utilize “Big Idea” terms
  • Explain the “Big Ideas” thoughtfully and completely
• The ideas of the paper flow logically and are exceptionally stated

Conclusion (5/65)      

Original, Exemplary	Strong, Commendable	Useful, Capable	Basic, Fair	Lacking, Poor
5	4.5	4	3.5	3

• How do your title, hook and thesis relate?
• Wrap the essay up with a conclusion that restates the main points of your essay

• Do not include a new argument to the conclusion
• Say something interesting:  Leave me in awe, impressed; move my heart and mind!

Mechanics/Chicago style (10/65)

Original, Exemplary	Strong, Commendable	Useful, Capable	Basic, Fair	Lacking, Poor
10	9	8	7	6

• Excellent sentence structure, grammar and punctuation
• The paper fulfills all Chicago style requirements (see checklist)
• Appropriate length
• Notes and Bibliography pages are properly formatted (see checklist)
• Endnotes are complete and properly formatted.
• The paper was submitted to Canvas by the deadline

Chicago  Style Check List

General Mechanics
	All text is Times New Roman 12pt, double spaced
	Title Page (see example on next page) CenteredFull Title of your paperYour NameCourse TitleInstructor’s NameDate
	Header .5” from top in right corner                – Last Name  #No page number on title page, but does count as Page 1
	Margins 1” on all sides
	Title Creative title double spaced from heading                  – Centered
	900-1100 words
In-Text Citations
	Long, blocked quotes For quotes taking up more than 2 linesEntire quote indented .5”Single spacedNo quotation marks used
	Each quote and reference is noted with a superscript number that corresponds to number Notes page. You can simplify this process by using “Insert Endnote” in your word program.
Notes and Bibliography Pages
	Two separate pages, first titled “Notes” second “Bibliography” 1” from top
	No heading on either
	Notes Page – see example on next page Corresponds with specific references in your paper1st line indented .5”Number of the note, not raised, followed by a period.Authors’ name not inverted, each element separated by commaSingle space notes, double space between eachIf you use the same source twice in a row you may use “Ibid.” in place of repeating all information.  After the first note of each source you may shorten the Note to only include the last name of author, a shortened version of the title, and the page number.
	Bibliography Page – see example on next page All sources used and consulted in preparing your paperSingle spaced entries, double spaced between each sourceHanging indent (all but 1st line of each resource is indented)Entries end with a period.Resources listed alphabetical order by author’s last name.  If no author, list by title of article.With 2-3 authors use “and” then the full names of other authors.  With more than 3, list first author and then “et al.”Article titles in quotation marks, book or publication titles italicizedYear of publication.URL
	Includes minimum 3 resources You may use additional resources beyond the textbook and articles provided, but you must cite them.

Sample Title Page

Awesome Creative Title of Paper

Jerry Cruncher

Modern Europe & The World

Country Name

Mr. Busta

November 23, 2016

Sample Notes

1. Author First Last, “Title of Article,” Title of Publication (City of Publication: Year of Publication): page number.

• John Cimprich and Robert c. Mainfort, Jr., eds., “Fort Pillow Revisited: New Evidence about an Old Controversy,” Civil War History 28, no. 4 (1982): 293-94

• Shelby Foote, The Civil War, a Narrative: Red River to Appomattox (New York: Vintage, 1986), 110.

• Ibid, 112.

• Cimprich,  Fort Pillow, 295

Sample Bibliography

Author Last, First Name. “Title Of Really Interesting Article You Used in Paper.” Title of                                 Publication.  2013. www.websiteURLlocationofsource.com.

Author Last, First Name, and Another First Last. “Cool Article You Read, But Didn’t Cite in             Paper.” Really Legit Website.  1947. www.ihearthistoryclass.org

“No Author, So Use Title of Article.” Magazine That Smart People Read – Store Weekly. 1851.