I need help with this essay, (unit 6 lesson 7) The question is "Was the Mexican-American war justified?" And so far I have the basic stuff like when it happened and the begining, but in stuck on the second paragraph. Any advice?
Me and my dad figured it out together
It's ok I know what to do now
So, what's the answer?
Of course! Writing an essay can be challenging, but I'm here to help you. When it comes to the second paragraph of your essay, there are a few steps you can follow to generate ideas and structure your argument effectively:
1. Research the historical context: To begin, gather information about the Mexican-American War, specifically focusing on the reasons behind the conflict and key events that occurred during that time. Look for primary and secondary sources such as historical documents, books, and scholarly articles. This research will help you form a well-informed opinion about the justification of the war.
2. Identify arguments for and against justification: Once you have a solid understanding of the war, identify the main arguments both supporting and opposing its justification. For example, supporters might argue that it was justified due to American territorial expansion, the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, or the need to protect American citizens and interests. On the other hand, those against its justification might highlight Mexico's sovereignty, the unclear casus belli (cause for war), or the controversial circumstances surrounding the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
3. Create a thesis statement: Based on your research and personal opinion, develop a clear and concise thesis statement that reflects your stance on whether the Mexican-American War was justified. This thesis should guide the rest of your essay and be included as the last sentence in your introductory paragraph.
4. Plan your paragraph structure: The second paragraph of your essay should present your supporting arguments or evidence to bolster your thesis. Begin by brainstorming ideas for each argument and organizing them in a logical order. Each argument should be presented in a separate paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea.
5. Provide evidence and analysis: Once you have your arguments and topic sentences in place, focus on providing evidence to support your claims. This evidence can be sourced from the research you conducted earlier. Additionally, include relevant quotes, statistics, or examples to strengthen your argument. Finally, analyze the evidence, explaining how it supports your thesis and strengthens your overall argument.
Remember to maintain a clear and concise writing style, using smooth transitions between paragraphs. Also, be sure to cite your sources properly using the appropriate citation format (MLA, APA, etc.) as per your assignment guidelines.
By following these steps, you should be able to develop a solid second paragraph for your essay on whether the Mexican-American War was justified.