Develop a Thesis Statement

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your assignment, you’re not alone. It’s common to not know where to begin, but don’t worry—this step-by-step guide will help you structure your essay in a clear and organized way. We’ll break down how to approach the question, structure your essay, and write effectively. Let’s dive into it!

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

The prompt asks you to discuss the hopes and aspirations of at least two different peoples of the Middle East after World War I, based on chapters 2 and 3 of the Kamrava text. You must then evaluate how these hopes were either realized or unfulfilled between 1920 and 1960.

Key points to remember:

• Focus on two different groups from the Middle East.
• Refer to chapters 2 and 3 of the Kamrava text for specific evidence.
• Your essay should have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• In-text citations from the Kamrava text are essential.

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Start by rereading chapters 2 and 3 of the Kamrava text to identify key points. Pay attention to the aspirations or goals of different groups during this period. Some key groups to consider include:

• Arab nationalists
• Kurds
• Jews (especially considering the Balfour Declaration and Zionism)
• Turks (considering the fall of the Ottoman Empire)
• Persians (related to the rise of nationalism in Iran)

Think about what these groups hoped to achieve after World War I. What were their goals? How did they want to reshape their futures?

Step 3: Develop a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the central idea of your essay. Based on the hopes of the groups you choose, your thesis should address how realistic these aspirations were in the years following the war. For example:

• “Although both Arab nationalists and Jews in the Middle East had high hopes for independence and self-determination following World War I, the political realities of the period between 1920 and 1960 ultimately hindered their ability to fully achieve these goals.”

Step 4: Create an Outline

Outlining your essay will help keep you organized. Here’s a simple structure to follow:

1. Introduction
   • Briefly introduce the historical context of the Middle East post-World War I.
   • Mention the hopes and aspirations of at least two groups.
   • Present your thesis statement.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Arab Nationalists
   • Discuss the hopes of Arab nationalists after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
   • How did they envision a united Arab nation or independence?
   • Use evidence from the Kamrava text to explain their aspirations.
   • Evaluate whether these aspirations were realized by 1960.
3. Body Paragraph 2: Jews in the Middle East (or another group)
   • Discuss the hopes of Jewish people in the Middle East, particularly regarding Zionism and the creation of a Jewish homeland.
   • Use evidence from the Kamrava text.
   • Evaluate how their hopes were realized or not, particularly after the establishment of Israel.
4. Body Paragraph 3: Comparative Evaluation
   • Compare and contrast the realization of hopes between the two groups.
   • Did both groups achieve their goals? If not, what obstacles did they face?
   • Analyze the political, social, and international factors that affected the realization of these aspirations.
5. Conclusion
   • Summarize your key points.
   • Restate your thesis in light of the discussion.
   • Offer a final evaluation of how the Middle East changed between 1920-1960 based on the hopes of the two groups you discussed.

Step 5: Write the Essay

Start by writing your introduction and thesis statement. From there, write each body paragraph, making sure to support your arguments with specific evidence from the Kamrava text. Don’t forget to cite your sources! For example, if you reference a specific idea or quote, make sure to include the page number in your citation: (Kamrava, 45).

As you write, stay focused on answering the main question. Ensure each paragraph addresses a specific part of the question, and provide analysis of the evidence you include.

Step 6: Review and Revise

Once you’ve completed your essay, take time to review and revise:

• Check for clarity: Are your arguments clear? Does each paragraph flow logically to the next?
• Citations: Ensure all quotes and references from the Kamrava text are properly cited in-text.
• Grammar and spelling: Look for errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Conclusion: Does your conclusion effectively tie everything together?

Step 7: Final Touches

After revisions, read through your essay one final time. Make sure it is double-spaced and within the required page range (3-5 pages). Ensure you’ve followed all formatting instructions, and check that your citations are correct.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you should feel much more confident in tackling your assignment. By breaking it down into manageable steps, you’ll be able to write a well-structured essay that addresses all parts of the prompt. Remember to support your arguments with evidence from the Kamrava text, and make sure your thesis and conclusion clearly address the extent to which the hopes of the Middle Eastern peoples were realized between 1920 and 1960.