Analytical Paper: 2500-3000 words. 12 pt. (Times New Roman), double spaced, with one inch
margins.
The paper must be properly cited using Chicago Manual of Style:
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html), and it must be paginated.
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html), and it must be paginated.
Your task is to write an analytical evidence-based essay on an individually chosen topic related to the
Vietnam Wars. You may choose to focus on a single individual, event, moment in time, period or
anything that your sources allow you to engage. In the past, students have, for example, explored
how, when, or why Americans committed themselves to Vietnam; what Americans at home thought
about the war; what people around the world thought about the war; public and official perceptions of
the Diem regime; the Geneva Conference; the Tet offensive; My Lai; the Strategic Hamlets Program;
the soldiers’ experience; how Vietnam reflected the Cold War; how a particular administration
approached the War; or a number of specific military or political components. You have lots of
options in that sense. Beware however, that part of the task is to show competency and understanding
of the War and that to a great extent comes from a careful selection of topic. The expectation is depth
of research, and in analysis of sources and arguments. Consequently, while the choice of topic is
fairly open, it is important to choose a topic that can be contained and thus intellectually unpacked.
Papers tend to fail when the chosen topic is too broad to cover or analyze effectively. A strong essay
supports its arguments with detailed evidence that is sustained throughout the paper in a clear and
cogent manner, an effective contextualization, and intellectual argument. To do so, requires a topic
that is manageable. Attempts to write about long periods in time or big unclear approaches almost
always lead to very poor grades. The freedom granted in this assignment, in other words, rewards the
thoughtful and diligent student.
Analytical papers are source-based papers. The point is not to explain what you personally think of
the war but to construct a substantiated thesis and arguments based on a careful selection of primary
and secondary sources. The selection of sources as well as the required annotated bibliography (see
more below for requirements) are therefore critical to a successful outcome.
The basis for your essay must be a blend of relevant primary and secondary sources.
The primary sources must come from a combination of assigned sources and media sources from
the period of the wars. The assigned primary sources are self-explanatory but note that these can
include both readings and primary sources videos used in class (most of these are also available on
Blackboard). In addition, you must incorporate national media articles that can be accessed via
Bentley’s Library Website. These include historical papers such as the New York Times; Wall Street
2
Journal; Boston Globe; Chicago Tribune; Los Angeles Times; and Life magazine as well as others. It
is critical to make sure that the media you use is from the time of the war and not articles written
long after the fact. A video on Blackboard [go to Course information and Syllabus and choose the
“Analytical Paper Resources” folder] will demonstrate how to find these on Bentley’s Library. If you
need further assistance, please consult Bentley’s reference librarians. They are there to help.
In addition to your selected primary sources, you must support your arguments with a selection
of at least 4 relevant scholarly secondary sources that you locate independently either at the library
or via relevant databases such as jstor.org or other databases of secondary source academic journal
articles.
1 The assigned course books cannot be among the four required secondary sources.
Scholarly books and academic journal articles are acceptable sources for this academic research
assignment. The purpose of the secondary source research is to provide context and details. It is not
enough to have one simple quote or reference to the secondary source. It is expected to help with
background so that you can better analyze your primary sources.
NOTE: Random non-professional or non-academic websites are not acceptable sources, neither is
Wikipedia, Britannica, or any other encyclopedia. Biography.com, history.com, or the like are also
not appropriate sites for research.
Vietnam Wars. You may choose to focus on a single individual, event, moment in time, period or
anything that your sources allow you to engage. In the past, students have, for example, explored
how, when, or why Americans committed themselves to Vietnam; what Americans at home thought
about the war; what people around the world thought about the war; public and official perceptions of
the Diem regime; the Geneva Conference; the Tet offensive; My Lai; the Strategic Hamlets Program;
the soldiers’ experience; how Vietnam reflected the Cold War; how a particular administration
approached the War; or a number of specific military or political components. You have lots of
options in that sense. Beware however, that part of the task is to show competency and understanding
of the War and that to a great extent comes from a careful selection of topic. The expectation is depth
of research, and in analysis of sources and arguments. Consequently, while the choice of topic is
fairly open, it is important to choose a topic that can be contained and thus intellectually unpacked.
Papers tend to fail when the chosen topic is too broad to cover or analyze effectively. A strong essay
supports its arguments with detailed evidence that is sustained throughout the paper in a clear and
cogent manner, an effective contextualization, and intellectual argument. To do so, requires a topic
that is manageable. Attempts to write about long periods in time or big unclear approaches almost
always lead to very poor grades. The freedom granted in this assignment, in other words, rewards the
thoughtful and diligent student.
Analytical papers are source-based papers. The point is not to explain what you personally think of
the war but to construct a substantiated thesis and arguments based on a careful selection of primary
and secondary sources. The selection of sources as well as the required annotated bibliography (see
more below for requirements) are therefore critical to a successful outcome.
The basis for your essay must be a blend of relevant primary and secondary sources.
The primary sources must come from a combination of assigned sources and media sources from
the period of the wars. The assigned primary sources are self-explanatory but note that these can
include both readings and primary sources videos used in class (most of these are also available on
Blackboard). In addition, you must incorporate national media articles that can be accessed via
Bentley’s Library Website. These include historical papers such as the New York Times; Wall Street
2
Journal; Boston Globe; Chicago Tribune; Los Angeles Times; and Life magazine as well as others. It
is critical to make sure that the media you use is from the time of the war and not articles written
long after the fact. A video on Blackboard [go to Course information and Syllabus and choose the
“Analytical Paper Resources” folder] will demonstrate how to find these on Bentley’s Library. If you
need further assistance, please consult Bentley’s reference librarians. They are there to help.
In addition to your selected primary sources, you must support your arguments with a selection
of at least 4 relevant scholarly secondary sources that you locate independently either at the library
or via relevant databases such as jstor.org or other databases of secondary source academic journal
articles.
1 The assigned course books cannot be among the four required secondary sources.
Scholarly books and academic journal articles are acceptable sources for this academic research
assignment. The purpose of the secondary source research is to provide context and details. It is not
enough to have one simple quote or reference to the secondary source. It is expected to help with
background so that you can better analyze your primary sources.
NOTE: Random non-professional or non-academic websites are not acceptable sources, neither is
Wikipedia, Britannica, or any other encyclopedia. Biography.com, history.com, or the like are also
not appropriate sites for research.
I will submit a file with a prompt, some sources for you to use and an introduction and thesis statement. Feel free to change up the thesis statement if you believe there is a better way of putting it. I already provided some primary sources on the bibliography, so make sure to have 4 secondary sources from a trusted establishment