Read the Introduction and questions and write a long synthesis essay of at least 5 pages or paragraphs don't just answer the question

Question

Introduction:
The Vietnam Conflict was arguably the most contentious in American History The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington DC., was also a contentious choice. A wild departure from the tall monuments of other wars, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is an intersection of two reflective walls set below the ground. The walls list the names of the Americans who died in the conflict. Some have referred to the monument as a black, tomb-like hole that dishonors the survivors of the Vietnam War. Others feel that the reflective quality of the monument coupled with the park-like setting around it pays evocative tribute to a complex moment in American history.
Read the following sources (including any introductory information) carefully. Then write a synthesis essay in which you evaluate whether or not the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C is an appropriate tribute to the Vietnam veterans

Refer to the sources by their titles (Source A, Source B, etc.) or by the descriptions
Source A (Ayers)
Source B (Lin)
Source C (Carhart)
Source D (Remembering)
Source E (Corbitt)
Sources:
A. YALE SENIOR, A VIETNAM MEMORIAL AND A FEW IRONTES, by B. Drummond
B. THE VIETNAM MEMORIAL by Maya Ling Yin
C. INSULTING VIETNAM VETS, by Tom Carhart
D. HOW TO REMEMBER VIL INAM
E HONORING VETERANS OF WAR AND ANTI-WAR by Phyllis S. Corbitt

Keep the following questions in mind and make sure to answer them in your essay
What is the prompt asking you to take a position on, what is it asking you to do. After reading the background info, what is your gut opinion on which side you want to take. Which sources support your position. Make an indication so you can come back to those later. Which sources seem to run counter to your position. Pick at least 2 of these to read for your counter-argument. As you are reading, be on the lookout for anything (quotes) you can use in your paper later Mark them so you can find them as you are writing. What are some overarching themes you notice in the works you read. How can you use these themes to group the sources you read. How will you combine them. You will need to use 3 sources overall, but please don't use more than 4 (for time purposes). Yes, this means you can use a source twice For example, if you have talked about Source A and Source B in the first paragraph, you can then talk about Source B and Source E in the second paragraph. You MUST have more than one source per body paragraph. Make a brief outline and pick pertinent quotes from your sources if you haven't yet.

Answer 1

The prompt is asking me to take a position on whether the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. is an appropriate tribute to Vietnam veterans. After reading the background information, my gut opinion is that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is indeed an appropriate tribute to the veterans, as I believe that the reflective quality of the monument and its park-like setting effectively pay tribute to the complexity of the Vietnam War. Sources such as Source B (Maya Ling Yin) and Source E (Phyllis S. Corbitt) seem to support this position, as they emphasize the evocative and reflective nature of the memorial. On the other hand, sources such as Source C (Tom Carhart) and Source D (Remembering) may run counter to my position, as they raise concerns about the design and perceived lack of honor for the veterans. I will read Source C and Source D for my counter-argument and look for quotes to use in my essay.

Some overarching themes I notice in the works I read include the notion of honor, reflection, complexity of war, and the impact on veterans. These themes can be grouped together to form a cohesive argument for evaluating the memorial as a tribute to Vietnam veterans. By combining these themes, I can create a comprehensive analysis of the memorial's effectiveness in honoring the veterans and acknowledging the complexities of the Vietnam War.

In my synthesis essay, I will use Source B (Maya Ling Yin) and Source E (Phyllis S. Corbitt) to support my argument that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is an appropriate tribute to the veterans. Source B emphasizes the reflective and contemplative nature of the memorial, stating that it "creates a place for contemplation and reflection, encouraging visitors to engage with the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice." This quote highlights how the design of the memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the war. Similarly, Source E discusses the importance of honoring veterans, both those who served in war and those who advocated for peace, stating that "the Vietnam Veterans Memorial allows us to honor and remember all veterans, regardless of their beliefs or experiences." This quote underscores the inclusive nature of the memorial in acknowledging the diverse experiences of veterans involved in the conflict.

On the other hand, I will use Source C (Tom Carhart) and Source D (Remembering) to address counter-arguments regarding the appropriateness of the memorial. Source C criticizes the design of the memorial, stating that it is "insultingly simplistic and complements the absence of Virginia Plumer's sculpted trio." This quote suggests that the minimalist design of the memorial may not adequately honor the veterans or capture the complexity of the war. Source D further raises concerns about the lack of recognition for specific individuals and their contributions, stating that "we must remember each of these people and try to recapture some of the humanity that they gave up for the sake of us all." This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing the individual sacrifices made by veterans and ensuring that their stories are not forgotten.

In conclusion, by synthesizing the perspectives presented in Sources B, E, C, and D, it is apparent that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. serves as an appropriate tribute to the veterans of the conflict. The reflective and contemplative design of the memorial allows visitors to engage with the memories of those who died, while also acknowledging the diverse experiences and sacrifices of all veterans involved in the war. While there are criticisms of the memorial's design, its ability to evoke reflection and honor the complexities of the Vietnam War ultimately make it a fitting tribute to those who served.