Essay Advice?

Taktiq · 12-03-2009, 21:40

My English professor assigned us with an essay that defines a problem and then proposes 3 possible solutions. It was supposed to be local or college focused in scope, but apparently since so few people turned anything in, and the end of the semester is coming, she just wants something written. I'm no scholar and it's probably half-a****, but the following is what I've proposed, and I figured/hoped you guys could give me some input. ANY help and/or criticism at this point would be welcome.

How can we possibly achieve success in Afghanistan?
1. Continue with the trend (?) toward “Afghanistanization” by turning the fight for the country back over to the Afghan people, with support and advisement by special forces and intelligence. While reducing/pulling out any conventional forces who cannot carry out unconventional warfare or foreign internal defense missions.
2. Elect a new and hopefully more effective governing body than what currently exists with Hamid Karzai. His government, though popularly elected has been impotent and overly corrupt.
3. Request help from Iran, while shifting reliance away from Pakistan and the ISI. They have a major stake in the outcome of the region especially due to narco-trafficing in the region originating in Afghanistan, have offered support as recently as this year, and can begin to put pressure on the Pakistani government.

Sigaba · 12-03-2009, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taktiq

...I figured/hoped you guys could give me some input. ANY help and/or criticism at this point would be welcome.

Taktiq--

I urge you to read carefully your school's guidelines on academic integrity before proceeding further along this trajectory of inquiry. In some cases, even well-intended requests such as yours may be in non-compliance with an institution's standards.

Costa · 12-03-2009, 23:55

What are the restrictions on format/length?

word count? style of paper? research? opinion?

There are other ways of achieving what you want to accomplish in the scholastic world.

LarryW · 12-04-2009, 00:07

IMHO you should keep it simple. Just answer the assignment without trying to introduce a cure for such political malestroms as Afghanistan. Introduce a topic you are very familiar with. Boring? Probably, but you will write a better paper and get thru it with fewer nights of no sleep. Just a thought. (BTW, previous comments re: academic integrity are seconded.) Good luck.

Warrior-Mentor · 12-04-2009, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Taktiq--

I urge you to read carefully your school's guidelines on academic integrity before proceeding further along this trajectory of inquiry. In some cases, even well-intended requests such as yours may be in non-compliance with an institution's standards.

First, listen to Sigaba on this one.

Second, you're going to need a narrower topic if you hope to answer the question comprehensively in anything shorter than 10 pages.

Taktiq · 12-04-2009, 08:08

“What are the restrictions on format/length?
word count? style of paper? research? opinion?
There are other ways of achieving what you want to accomplish in the scholastic world.”

MLA format
12-point font (Times New Roman)
4-5 pages of text, not including the Works Cited page.
a minimum of 2-3 credible sources
a properly prepared Works Cited Page according to MLA style

“IMHO you should keep it simple. Just answer the assignment without trying to introduce a cure for such political malestroms as Afghanistan. Introduce a topic you are very familiar with. Boring? Probably, but you will write a better paper and get thru it with fewer nights of no sleep. Just a thought. (BTW, previous comments re: academic integrity are seconded.) Good luck.”
“First, listen to Sigaba on this one.

Second, you're going to need a narrower topic if you hope to answer the question comprehensively in anything shorter than 10 pages.”

I understand what you’re all saying here. As I said I’m no scholar, but I thought it’d be an interesting exercise to try out in essay format. I do plan on attempting to keep it as simple as I possibly can, but to be honest I’m not sure I could come up with enough to come close to 10 pages. As to the comments academic integrity, I’m not sure I know what you’re meaning. I know I have no plans for plagerism or to cheat in any way.

My biggest problem has actually been coming up with a narrower topic. Afghanistan just sparked my interest and I just couldn't come up to any solutions for any of the headaches I deal with at work.

lksteve · 12-04-2009, 09:46

The academic integrity issue is crucial...that said, I'd recommend you stay close to home in selecting a question and stick to what you know in terms of issues and solutions...the subject you have selected is beyond the scope of an undergraduate composition course.

Your question is poorly crafted..."How can we possibly..." You have to be kidding me. The question should be succinct and should be devoid of emotion or drama. Your suggested solutions are weaker.

Find a local topic, a subject closer to your wheel house. Do some research, put some effort into it. Education is a participant-based sport.

Taktiq · 12-04-2009, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by lksteve

The academic integrity issue is crucial...that said, I'd recommend you stay close to home in selecting a question and stick to what you know in terms of issues and solutions...the subject you have selected is beyond the scope of an undergraduate composition course.

Your question is poorly crafted..."How can we possibly..." You have to be kidding me. The question should be succinct and should be devoid of emotion or drama. Your suggested solutions are weaker.

Find a local topic, a subject closer to your wheel house. Do some research, put some effort into it. Education is a participant-based sport.

I'm still not understanding the issues you guys are bringing up about academic integrity. Could somebody please be a little more specific about that.

Anyway, the question that you quoted was only what I had posted for my professor. But I do realize that it wasn't formulated all that well.

The point about my solutions being weak was exactly the type of criticism I was looking for. If someone could tell me why, that'd be even better, but I understand most of you don't have the time to discuss the pro's and con's for whatever reasons. In the meantime, I have been wracking my brain to come up with something else, but still as nothing more than just an academic exercise, it's an interesting subject to postulate on.