Outline -The Things They Carried/Vietnam War Research/Synthesis Essay
Prompt: How do O’Brien and other writers, artists, poets, and politicians characterize the Vietnam War? Through these texts, draw a conclusion about the Vietnam War and/or its legacy in the United States (theme).
Your body paragraphs must include at least 5 different sources, including the following:
Min. 3 pieces of evidence from the novel (1 per paragraph)
At least 1 primary source (political source/government document)
At least 1 song or poem
At least 1 photograph
At least 1 of your own source(s)
Note: Your sources can come from class materials, but you are also allowed to use additional sources
The evidence in each paragraph should be united around a different motif/message. Here are some possible topics for your paragraphs:
Reasons for going to war (this could include political arguments/justifications; a soldier’s reason for going; a soldier or civilian opinion on the reason for war)
The experiences of soldiers in Vietnam
The reactions of the American public
The sources and consequences of division
Aftermath (this could include the experience of soldiers returning home, as well as the lasting impact in America)
Working Thesis: What conclusion can you draw about the Vietnam War and/or its legacy in America based on what we’ve read/studied?
Outlining:
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence (new motif)
TLQC (Evidence from Source A)
Analysis: How does the source reveal their opinion/ present their argument (rhetorical appeals, literary devices, etc)
TLQC (Evidence from Source B) — be sure to use a transition word/ phrase to convey how the sources are related
Analysis: How does the source reveal their opinion/ present their argument (rhetorical appeals, literary devices, etc)
Compare/Contrast Source B with A. How are they similar/ different? What parallels or opposing arguments do you notice? What is the significance of the compare/contrast?
TLQC (Evidence from Source C) — be sure to use a transition word/ phrase to convey how the sources are related
Compare/Contrast Source C with B and A. How are they similar/ different? What parallels or opposing arguments do you notice? What is the significance of the compare/contrast?
What conclusion can you draw from comparing the three sources?
Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence (new motif)
TLQC (Evidence from Source D)
Analysis: How does the source reveal their opinion/ present their argument (rhetorical appeals, literary devices, etc)
TLQC (Evidence from Source E) — be sure to use a transition word/ phrase to convey how the sources are related
Analysis: How does the source reveal their opinion/ present their argument (rhetorical appeals, literary devices, etc)
Compare/Contrast Source E with D. How are they similar/ different? What parallels or opposing arguments do you notice? What is the significance of the compare/contrast?
TLQC (Evidence from Source F) — be sure to use a transition word/ phrase to convey how the sources are related
Compare/Contrast Source F with E and D. How are they similar/ different? What parallels or opposing arguments do you notice? What is the significance of the compare/contrast?
What conclusion can you draw from comparing the three sources?
Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence (new motif)
TLQC (Evidence from Source G)
Analysis: How does the source reveal their opinion/ present their argument (rhetorical appeals, literary devices, etc)
TLQC (Evidence from Source H) — be sure to use a transition word/ phrase to convey how the sources are related
Analysis: How does the source reveal their opinion/ present their argument (rhetorical appeals, literary devices, etc)
Compare/Contrast Source H with G. How are they similar/ different? What parallels or opposing arguments do you notice? What is the significance of the compare/contrast?
TLQC (Evidence from Source I) — be sure to use a transition word/ phrase to convey how the sources are related
Compare/Contrast Source I with H and G. How are they similar/ different? What parallels or opposing arguments do you notice? What is the significance of the compare/contrast?
What conclusion can you draw from comparing the three sources?
Conclusion
Restate the thesis in one sentence
Synthesis: Synthesize the analysis from the body paragraphs. When you put it all together, what does it reveal about the Vietnam War?
Significance: Address the lasting effect of the Vietnam War in America. How was the country different after the war?
Closing Statement: End with a memorable statement on war or the Vietnam War that will leave your reader thinking.
