Discuss President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan during WWII

Assignment: Students will create an outline of their scholarly paper. Student outlines will include an introduction, a body with three paragraphs minimum, and a conclusion. Students will use the outline to project what their final paper will include in each section.
Short Paper Topic: Discuss President Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan during WWII

Paper Format: 1st page is the outline. 2nd and 3rd pages will be the written paper.
12 point font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins, double spaced, black ink on standard white 8 ½ by 11 inch paper.

Paper Outline: Outline must be set up as follows:

What is the dilemma?What options does he have?What does he decide to do?What are the consequences?

I. Introduction
II. Body
a. Paragraph 1 background (3 sentences /bullet points)
b. Paragraph 2 options
c. Paragraph 3 decision that is made
d. Paragraph 4. Results
e. i. Short term: Carnage, destruction, death count, ends the war
f. ii. Long term: atomic age, atomic fears
g. 1. Social Consequences
h. ( However, many you feel you need but 3 minimum)
II. Conclusion

American History 1302 Short Paper

Assignment: Students will write a scholarly paper identifying and explaining an important decision made by a national leader or representative body and describe options for resolving that dilemma. Students will also describe and discuss the consequences of that decision and the impact it had on US culture. In addition, students will evaluate whether the decision made and actions taken resolved the initial dilemma or if additional predictable or unforeseen consequences resulted could have been avoided or improved upon.

Short Paper Topic: Discuss President Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan during WWII

Paper Format: 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1 inch margins, double spaced, black ink on standard white 8 ½ by 11 inch paper. Must be min. 2 pages and max 3 pages in length. Failure to follow this format will result in deductions

Organization/Grammar: Paper must have clear organization including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Needs to be written clearly with proper grammar. Spelling, run-on sentences, and poor wording will result in deductions. Weak writers will want to use the writing center for writing tips and proofreading.

Content: 70% Grade: Paper needs to clearly introduce the question and the dilemma faced by President Truman during his decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan and bring about the end of WWII. A good intro will set up the question, state his dilemma, and generally introduce the topic. A proper intro should be 3-5 sentences in length minimum. The body of the paper should seek to answer the question. Discuss what the atomic bomb was and why President Truman decided to use such a terrible weapon. Include dates! The body should also discuss the results of Truman’s decision. What impact did the bomb have on the United States and the world? Be critical. Don’t just state that it “helped make America the country it is today.” Discuss the implications of his decision or the effects it had on future wars or innocent casualties, it’s up to you, but serious thought and discussion needs to be put into what you think the impact of his decision was. The conclusion does not need to introduce any new material. It should sum up in a few sentences what you have stated in your paper and what your final analysis was. It should be 3-5 sentences long minimum.

Words of Advice: This is a very short paper so it is important to be succinct. Padding and redundant sentences are only taking away space you desperately need to use to include all the information and make your analysis.

Plagiarism: Even the hint of plagiarism will be met with an automatic 0 and possible expulsion from the course. Copying from the textbook, websites, or outside sources verbatim is strictly prohibited. Sources, properly utilized, will be put into the students own words and not copied.