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Friday, November 14, 2014
HQ - Sino-Japanese Relations
How has the history of tenuous Sino-Japanese relations led to the current Senkaku islands dispute?
Specificity: This question is able to be answered within the time and page restrictions. I think it is great that it is so precise. You will have to remember to stay on topic though: because it is so specific, it would be easy for seemingly-relevant information to not answer the essence of the question.
Grammar: It is grammatically correct, but it might flow better if you moved 'tenuous' so it is right before 'history'. Also, are you sure that tenuous is the right word? I have never heard it before but dictionary.com says it can mean vague or thin/doubtful/uncertain.
Considerations: The question does not include any of the themes that we are supposed to address, so consider tying in nationalism, interdependence, imperialism, or globalization. Also, you should consider both political relations (any treaties, agreements, or policies) and social relations (especially feelings of the general population of each country toward the other country, if you can find any sources that describe that). One other suggestion is that besides just the cause-effect relationship expressed in the question, it would be interesting to include how these relations have influenced each of the two countries as wholes (even though that might make it too broad...you would have to see how much information you have).
In terms of Grammar, the question sounds somewhat awkward in the use of the word tenuous. Make sure to be more specific in what you are trying to answer with your essay. The topic is specific, but you need to be more specific on what you are trying to say about the topic. Other than that it should be fine with the space and time provided.
Very relevant topic. It will be helpful to narrow the time-frame under consideration for "history." Will you be going back to the failed Mongol attempts to conquer Japan or will you focus on more contemporary historical developments of the 20th century? Also, Rebecca made a very good point, make sure to address one of the course themes in your research.
Specificity: This question is able to be answered within the time and page restrictions. I think it is great that it is so precise. You will have to remember to stay on topic though: because it is so specific, it would be easy for seemingly-relevant information to not answer the essence of the question.
ReplyDeleteGrammar: It is grammatically correct, but it might flow better if you moved 'tenuous' so it is right before 'history'. Also, are you sure that tenuous is the right word? I have never heard it before but dictionary.com says it can mean vague or thin/doubtful/uncertain.
Considerations: The question does not include any of the themes that we are supposed to address, so consider tying in nationalism, interdependence, imperialism, or globalization. Also, you should consider both political relations (any treaties, agreements, or policies) and social relations (especially feelings of the general population of each country toward the other country, if you can find any sources that describe that). One other suggestion is that besides just the cause-effect relationship expressed in the question, it would be interesting to include how these relations have influenced each of the two countries as wholes (even though that might make it too broad...you would have to see how much information you have).
In terms of Grammar, the question sounds somewhat awkward in the use of the word tenuous.
ReplyDeleteMake sure to be more specific in what you are trying to answer with your essay. The topic is specific, but you need to be more specific on what you are trying to say about the topic. Other than that it should be fine with the space and time provided.
Very relevant topic. It will be helpful to narrow the time-frame under consideration for "history." Will you be going back to the failed Mongol attempts to conquer Japan or will you focus on more contemporary historical developments of the 20th century? Also, Rebecca made a very good point, make sure to address one of the course themes in your research.
ReplyDelete