a. The first paragraph of your essay:
What is the author’s primary argument? You should be able to state this in one sentence. Be clear and concise.
Summarize the source material used to defend the argument. Explain what sources are used (government documents, letters, military records, newspapers, books, other academic articles, etc.).
To be clear: The source material is found in the bibliographic documentation provided by the author. Depending on your article, this documentation can be found at the end of the article in a “Notes”, “Bibliography”, “References”, or “Works Cited” section. Some authors place this documentation at the bottom of each page. These notes are known as “footnotes.”
b. The second paragraph of your essay: Provide a summary of the article’s content. What important people, places, and events are examined?
c. The third paragraph of your essay: In your view, what are the article’s strengths? That is, what did the author do well?
d. The fourth paragraph of your essay:
In your view, what are the article’s weaknesses? That is, what could the author have done better?
4. Write a paper addressing the items listed in #3 above.
6. Reminders: (1) Put your name on the paper; (2) Place the bibliographic citation for your chosen article at the top of the first page.
Reading: Cultural Exchange and the Cold War: How the West Won by YALE RICHMOND
