history critical writing

nstructions for Critical Writings (2305) As noted in the syllabus, you are to write three critical responses pertaining to the material assigned in previous weeks and/or a current topic of importance to United States politics or government. These responses should utilize at least one reading assigned since the previous critical writing assignment was due, or if discussing a current political topic, two news articles. I am primarily interested in your comprehension and critical perspective of a text or a group of texts. A more in depth and specific analysis of a particular reading or two will usually be much better than a paper with a broad focus, which covers all the possible readings. These response papers should be no more than 3 pages, double-spaced, but no less than 2, complete, typed, pages. You should use Times New Roman font, and 12 pt. letter size. All critical writings must be submitted via Blackboard. In your papers, I am looking for a critical response rather than a weekly summary. My goal is to get you thinking critically about what you read, and your grade will reflect your ability to formulate an argument of your own. Feel free to disagree with a reading, but do so academically, while using other readings (outside or from class) to back up your argument (please not if you use texts from outside of class you must reference the authors name and title). Tips to get started: Pick up one or two themes or arguments from the readings and really analyze them closely. Think about the work in relation to other readings weve covered. Examine the differences between the online readings and the textbook Some questions to consider: Is there a counter argument to the authors point? Could the authors argument be extended to include other subjects? What parts of the argument to you agree or disagree with and why? How have things changed over time, how have they remained the same? Does the text contradict widely held assumptions, and if so how? How does one text contradict, compliment, or complicate others weve read? What did the text miss (holes in the argument, or problems that were not mentioned)? Can you suggest examples that disprove the text? What are the implications of the authors conclusions? Are the conclusions generalizable to other subjects beyond the text? Questions along these analytical and deconstructive lines are what I am looking for in your papers rather than a summary of what you thought about the readings. Although I don’t necessarily require you to do outside research or offer additional citations, you should be able to provide sources to help move your argument, if you are making points or referencing facts that are clearly outside of the text. I encourage you to think of topics or thesis statements as you read for each class, and to email me with outlines, introductions or thesis paragraphs in advance of the due date for the critical writing.