Read the Introduction and questions and write a long synthesis essay of at least 5 paragraphs each paragraph should contain two sources as evidence and only 3 sources should be used don't just answer the 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 two 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 two 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
1 answer
Source A, a Yale senior's reflection on the Vietnam Memorial, emphasizes the emotional resonance of the monument. The author describes how the names of the fallen soldiers etched onto the walls create a powerful connection to the past, allowing visitors to pay their respects and reflect on the sacrifices made during the war. This sentiment is echoed in Source B, written by Maya Ling Yin, the designer of the memorial. Yin discusses the intention behind the design, highlighting the walls' reflective nature as a way to symbolically bring the past and present together. These sources collectively emphasize the memorial's ability to evoke deep emotions and honor the Vietnam veterans in a meaningful way.
However, there are also sources that present a contrasting viewpoint on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Source C, written by Tom Carhart, argues that the monument is insulting to Vietnam veterans. Carhart contends that the design of the memorial, with its sunken walls and lack of traditional symbols, fails to convey the honor and respect due to the veterans who served in the conflict. Additionally, Source E by Phyllis S. Corbitt explores the tension between honoring veterans of war and acknowledging the anti-war sentiment that surrounded the Vietnam Conflict. These sources challenge the notion that the memorial effectively pays tribute to the veterans and suggest that it may fall short in conveying the complexity of the war and its aftermath.
Despite the differing perspectives presented in the sources, overarching themes emerge that can help to group and synthesize the arguments. A key theme is the emotional impact of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, with both supporters and critics acknowledging the power of the monument to evoke strong emotions. Another theme is the symbolic nature of the memorial, as discussed in Sources A and B, which highlight the design choices as deliberate symbols of remembrance and reflection. By combining these themes and considering the various viewpoints presented in the sources, I can craft a nuanced argument that evaluates the Vietnam Veterans Memorial as a tribute to the Vietnam veterans.