Consider your theorist’s writings and select a portion that interests you or that you would like to examine in the context of the war in Ukraine. Think about selecting specific tenets, principles, chapters, or topics.

You will write one objective, factual, and analytical argumentative paper. In the Final Paper, you will take everything you have learned about various theories and the principles of war and apply them to the current war in Ukraine.
Step 1. Select a theorist (Sun Tzu, Jomini, Clausewitz, or other)
Step 2. Consider your theorist’s writings and select a portion that interests you or that you would like to examine in the context of the war in Ukraine. Think about selecting specific tenets, principles, chapters, or topics.
Step 3. Your assignment is to evaluate your theorist’s work. This means you should consider the part of their work you selected in Step 2 and decide whether it does or does not apply in the context of the war in Ukraine. You are encouraged to consider not only the ground, air, and sea conventional military operations, but also aspects such as cyber, information, drones, etc. You do not need to write a comprehensive analysis of the entire war to date. Instead, make a very focused argument using a narrow piece of your theorist’s work and use specific examples from the war in Ukraine to defend your thesis. Usually about three examples are required to make a compelling argument.
Step 4. Write your thesis. In ONE sentence, state your argument.
Example thesis (if we were looking at Vietnam instead of Ukraine): Although Sun Tzu’s strategic assessment of terrain applied in ancient warfare, it was not applicable during American operations in Vietnam. This example thesis statement tells me that you will describe Sun Tzu’s theory regarding terrain and you will analyze how it applied during American operations in Vietnam (giving historical examples).
Step 5. In 4-6 pages (Times New Roman or Arial font 12, 1″ margins, double spaced, title page, footnotes, and bibliography do not count towards this page length), evaluate the theories of Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, or Jomini.
Do not include lengthy biographical details of the strategist. Your paper should include:
A brief explanation of the theory or aspect of the theory that you are evaluating.
A strong thesis about the value or validity of the theory.
Supporting evidence that proves your thesis — use specific examples. Usually about three examples are necessary.
A concise conclusion that reinforces the arguments you previously made.

Your paper is an argumentative paper and must include three main partsthe Thesis/Introduction, Argument, and Conclusion.
The Introduction section should clearly state the thesis in ONE sentence within the first 1-2 paragraphs. The thesis must be relevant and appropriate to the assignment and should be free of grammar and spelling errors.
The Argument section should comprise the majority of your paper and present relevant historical evidence to support the thesis and the key claims made in the argument as needed. It should maintain focus and avoid getting sidetracked. It should present your supporting points clearly and concisely in an organized manner and it should be free of grammar and spelling errors.
The Conclusion section should be in the last part of your paper – within the last 1-2 paragraphs. It should briefly restate the thesis and summarize the main points of the argument. There should be no new information presented in the conclusion. It should also demonstrate insight and understanding regarding the argument you presented and it should be free of grammar and spelling errors.
Formatting & Citations:
Your Final Paper must be 4-6 pages in length (that’s 4-6 pages of writing), double-spaced, numbered, include 1 inch margins, use 12 point Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and include a title page formatted in Chicago style.
Your paper must include footnotes and a Bibliography page. The citation style must be Chicago Notes-Bibliography style. Your sources must be appropriate for academic research.
All claims and conclusions made must be based on either documented facts or logical analysis of those facts. This is not an opinion piece. Extensive research is not expected but you are required to make an effort to use valid sources appropriate for academic research. Valid sources can include reporting from journalists or participants on the ground, government press conferences, and verified open source reporting. Stay away from news pundits, social media “experts,” blogs, or non-official websites.
Follow the UMGC citation rules and the Chicago Manual of Style to format these papers using footnotes and a bibliography.
Use a Title Page formatted in Chicago style.
Use a Bibliography page listing ALL sources consulted in your research in Chicago bibliography format.
Use footnotes in Chicago style to cite sources in your text.
Title page, footnotes, and bibliography do not count toward your total page count.
Double space your paper.
Use 1″ margins and Arial or Times New Roman font 12.

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