Essays:
Each student will write a 4-6 page essay reflecting on the tensions among their individual beliefs and personal interests with each of the following subject matters. The essay should represent a particular position or point of view on the topic that is both thoughtful and supported by evidence. You must cite at least 3 outside sources (APA citation format is required).
The topics for discussion are:
Paper 1: 1916 Easter Uprising and/or the Irish Civil War
The 1981 Hunger Strikes.
Structure
The structure of the paper should follow a basic essay format. You are expected to have an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should end with your taking a particular stance on a particular issue. This stance should be grounded in your core values. Make sure it is specific and arguable.
The body of the essay should include at least three main points with supporting citations. You should agree and/or disagree with a source by using a connection to the topic you are discussing. This means that you should connect the period in Irish history that we are discussing with some other event that occurred in the world at any time in history. You should use that connection as support for your main argument.
For example, if you are discussing the Irish Civil Rights movement, you could connect that with the American Civil Rights movement. You don’t have to focus on the actual events of the period in discussion. You could, instead, look at a particular person from that period. For example, you could connect Ivan Cooper (Irish Civil Rights leader) with Martin Luther King. You could argue that they are both similar because…… or you could argue that they are very different because……. The focus, however, is using this connection as support for your main argument. This support should be clearly outlined in the body of your paper in three distinct paragraphs.
Finally, you will end with a conclusion. Wrap up your main point in a different way as a concluding statement of what you believe.
Each paper must include a full reference list.
Developing, Organizing and Supporting Arguments Workshop
Strong thesis statements are at the core of every well-developed and organized academic argument. Yet, students often don’t know how to create a thesis statement that is arguable, explicit and limits the scope of their papers based on prompt instructions, class readings and their own research. Using a class assignment, students will produce a thesis statement in this workshop. They will then learn how to use their thesis statements to organize, construct and develop paragraphs stemming from that thesis. Date of the workshop is listed on the course outline.
Submission Deadline and Grading
Each student must upload their completed Paper final version to Blackboard.
In addition, before submitting the final version of any of the papers to Blackboard, each student should first take his/her first draft to the Writing Center. Please make appointments to the Writing Center two weeks in advance of the submission.
Each paper will be graded using an ECG approved rubric which can be found on Learn.
***Rubric is uploaded
Rquired texts we have ben reading in class :
1. Ten Men Dead by David Beresford
2. The diary of Bobby Sands
3. Nothing But an Unfinished Song by Denis
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Essay on the 1916 Easter Uprising or the Irish Civil War
1. Choosing Your Topic:
You need to choose whether you’ll focus on the 1916 Easter Uprising or the 1981 Hunger Strikes (or a combination). For this example, let’s say you choose the 1981 Hunger Strikes. Think about your personal beliefs and values in relation to this topic. Are you sympathetic to the actions of the strikers, or do you think their methods were misguided?
2. Formulating Your Thesis Statement:
This is one of the most important parts of your paper. You need to decide on a clear, arguable position that you will defend throughout your essay. Your stance should be based on your core values. For example:
- Thesis: “The 1981 Hunger Strikes were a necessary and powerful form of resistance that highlighted the British government’s disregard for Irish political prisoners and led to significant changes in the relationship between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.”
This statement provides a specific position and limits the scope of your paper to focus on the strikes and their impact.
3. Structuring Your Essay:
Your essay should follow a basic essay format, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
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Introduction (1 Paragraph):
- Briefly introduce the topic.
- Clearly present your thesis statement (the stance you are taking).
- Include background information (such as the context of the 1981 Hunger Strikes) to set up your argument.
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Body (3 Main Points, 3 Paragraphs): For each body paragraph, focus on one key argument or main point that supports your thesis. Here’s how to organize them:
- Body Paragraph 1:
- Discuss the causes and significance of the 1981 Hunger Strikes (e.g., the conditions of Irish political prisoners, the motivations behind the hunger strike).
- Cite evidence from sources such as Ten Men Dead or The Diary of Bobby Sands.
- Body Paragraph 2:
- Make a connection to another historical or global event, like the American Civil Rights Movement or other protests for political freedom.
- Compare the methods used in the Hunger Strikes with those of other movements and explore the moral and ethical implications.
- Body Paragraph 3:
- Explore the impact of the Hunger Strikes on Irish politics and relations with Britain (e.g., how the British government responded, how public perception changed).
- Analyze the long-term effects of the Hunger Strikes, especially in terms of policy change and public awareness.
- Body Paragraph 1:
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Conclusion (1 Paragraph):
- Restate your thesis and summarize your main points.
- End with a reflection on the long-term significance of the Hunger Strikes for Northern Ireland and Ireland as a whole.
- You could also reiterate your position on the ethical question of whether such drastic measures (like hunger strikes) are justified.
4. Supporting Evidence and Citations:
You need to cite at least three outside sources, including class readings and peer-reviewed journal articles. For example:
- David Beresford’s Ten Men Dead provides an in-depth account of the political context and motivations behind the hunger strikes.
- The Diary of Bobby Sands offers insight into the mindset and experiences of the participants.
- Academic sources (peer-reviewed articles) will provide additional context about the impact of hunger strikes on political movements or comparisons with other global uprisings.
Make sure to properly cite all sources using APA format.
5. Reviewing the Paper:
After writing your first draft, it’s important to:
- Go over your argument: Is it clearly stated? Are your points well-supported by evidence?
- Check your sources: Are they reliable and properly cited?
- Seek feedback: Make sure to take your draft to the Writing Center before submission for a review.
6. Submission:
Once your paper is complete and revised, ensure you upload it to Blackboard before the deadline.
Example Thesis and Connection:
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Thesis Example: “The 1981 Hunger Strikes, as a powerful form of resistance, were necessary to draw attention to the injustice faced by Irish political prisoners and ultimately changed the way the British government viewed the conflict in Northern Ireland.”
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Connection Example: You could connect the Hunger Strikes to other historical protests, like the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, where non-violent protest and self-sacrifice (e.g., sit-ins, marches, etc.) were used to highlight political oppression and demand change.
By following this guide step-by-step, you can clearly organize your thoughts, arguments, and sources to produce a well-structured, evidence-based essay.