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Components of a Research EssayCover PageProject titleYour name, course, teacher, date.2353639428500Introductory ParagraphFor example, an introduction for a persuasive essay on American foreign policy post World War II:Can you imagine a world when the United States was not a significant player on the world stage? In the 21st century this is hard to fathom, but this was the case as late as the eve of the Second World War. In fact, the America of the founding fathers was isolationist, and President Monroe articulated as much in his 1823 doctrine that laid out both American hegemony of the western hemisphere but also the fact that the young nation wanted nothing to do with the “old world”. The United States was involved in two world wars in the 20th century, but were dragged unwillingly into these conflicts as a result of attacks on American people and property. It was only after 1945 that America decided to adopt the internationalist role we recognize today. What changed? There were two main forces at work, one internal and one external. The argument made in the following pages is that the United States as a global superpower was born out of an “impulse to empire” that began to slowly grow after the Spanish-American War in 1898 but exploded due to the threat posed by Soviet expansion and Communism post 1945.Body ParagraphsThis is where you present your research by describing events in detail AND explaining how they are relevant to your question or your thesis. Organization is key here. Will you lay out your points chronologically or thematically? Look at your research and develop an outline before writing.Start each paragraph with a topic sentence and then add to it by providing detailed explanations and direct references from your research.You should have at least three major points (hence, three body paragraphs)You must provide in-text references when you are relying on researched information. Use Chicago Style (shown in one of the examples below).For example, here is an outline for body paragraphs from the same persuasive essay as above:Paragraph 1 – Why was America isolationist in the 19th century?Topic Sentence – The United States started as a strongly isolationist country.Supporting points – They were focused on expansion in America only, ex. Manifest Destiny. - Give examples like Louisiana Purchase, wars with Mexico, Oregon question - Look at Monroe Doctrine – explain this document and how it defined foreign policy in that era. Paragraph 2 – The “impulse to empire” (desire to build an overseas empire) Topic Sentence – The United States began to think about expanding beyond the continent during the Spanish-American War . Supporting points – US got involved in S.A. war to secure their economic investments in Cuba. They wanted Cuba as a “satellite state”. - Explain how some believed US must expand to be on par with other great nations. Empire = prestige. - Explain how the success from the war gave them an overseas empire all of a sudden (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines). This began to change their outlook on US place in the world. Paragraph 3 – Impact of the World Wars Topic Sentence – America entered the world stage during the World Wars, but unwillingly. Supporting points – US was initially neutral in WW1, got involved because of German unrestricted submarine warfare and other hostile acts, as well as to protect considerable investments on Entente side. -After the war the US rejected President Wilson’s plan for the US to join the League of Nations – returned to isolationism. -Neutrality Laws in the 1930s, Lend-Lease Act, attack on Pearl Harbor put them unwillingly into war in 1941.Paragraph 4 – Cold War – US becomes internationalist super power. Topic Sentence – After WW2, US commits itself to be an international player because of the fear of Soviet Communism and expansion. Supporting Points – Discuss why the US was afraid of Communism and USSR. -Show how USSR had spread throughout Eastern Europe after defeat of Nazis, seemed to be threat of Communism in Asia and Middle East as well. -Look at the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine and how the US had now committed itself to “fighting for freedom” worldwide. - Give a few examples (Berlin crisis, Turkey, Greece)For example, here is an excerpt from a body paragraph of the same persuasive essay as above:The United States started as a strongly isolationist country. During the Revolutionary War, Americans did not just reject the rule of the King but turned their back on the social structure and culture of Europe as well. They were building a new world based on the philosophies of the enlightenment, namely liberty and equality. Their only concern towards European powers was to reduce their influence on the American continent all in order to spread their own ideology and power. As American philosopher Thomas Paine claimed in his famous pamphlet Common Sense, “We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand….” Though the term was coined much later, the US was pursuing their “manifest destiny” to expand and build an empire in the New World, but they wished to remain neutral and isolated from the old. In the early 19th century the US purchased the Louisiana territory from the French, annexed Texas, and wrestled the rest of their modern day territory on the continent away from the Spanish and British through war and diplomacy. During this expansionary period, President James Monroe defined what would characterize American foreign policy for the next 120 years in an address to Congress in 1823. In it, Munroe asserts three main ideas. First, that the United States would regard any new European expansion in the Americas as a hostile act. Second, the USA would not interfere with existing European colonies in the Americas. Third, that the USA would not get involved in conflicts in Europe. This shows that in the 19th century, the United States had established their own sphere of influence, declared their neutrality from Europe, and were content to isolate themselves to the western hemisphere. The early history of the United States does not set it on a path to the country we know today. However, attitudes among some regarding the future place of the United States in the world do begin to change towards the end of the century.What structure and style points can you identify that make this a good body paragraph?Note: Use or Google “Chicago Style Guide” for help on referencing.Concluding ParagraphWrap up your essay by tying everything together, repeating your main points/arguments, and reiterating your thesis.No new information should be found here, just summary.BibliographyProvide an alphabetical list (by last name) of all your research sources cited in your essay. Follow the Chicago style guide for bibliographies to do this. The format is slightly different from the one used in your footnotes.Note: If you want you can use headings to organize your paper into the different sections and sub-sections.Note: If you want to attach an image, map, or some other document that is vital to your project you can include it as an appendix at the end of your project. ................
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