I'm having trouble putting together a thesis and topic sentences. There is so much great information with my sources, everything seems to sound the same.
This is a layout of how my topics could be arranged and organized . I don't know how to do a good transition inbetween the new starting paragraph.
paragraph 2: talk about current controversy & C.F's history
paragraph 3: talk about C.F being a symbol of heritage
paragraph 4: talk about C.F being a symbol of hate
In the wake of the June 2015 mass shooting and anti-African American hate crime in a Charleston, S.C Church, many public officials called for the removal of the Confederate flag from grounds near the South Caroline State House, and it was eventually taken down in July. The origins of the pattern on the Confederate flag, the "battle flag" and its precise historical meaning in the American Civil War are complex, as is its subsequent resonance in the decades after the war, and its symbolic import has been hotly contested in more recent decades. During the period 2000-2003, South Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi all saw significant public controversies over the symbolism of flags in their states, with verious public measures and remedies proposed and debated.
Prompt: Can the flag stand distrinctly as a generalized remembrance of Southern, geographically based heritage, or is it inextricably linked to the enslavement of African-Americans and racist ideology?
You're in the early stages of your research, so it's no wonder that everything sounds the same.
Take notes on the important points made in these articles.
Study this site for excellent advice about thesis statements.
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
You need to research the original symbolism represented by the battle flag. Who designed it and what did HE think it represented? What did it represent to the Army of Northern Virginia? Who used it after the Civil War (and during the Civil Rights Era of the 1950s-60s) to represent what? You also need to explore what the "heritage" of the geographic area known as The South might be.
When putting together a thesis statement and topic sentences, it's important to first identify your main argument or central idea. In your case, your prompt is asking whether the Confederate flag can be seen as a symbol of Southern heritage or if it is inevitably associated with racism and the enslavement of African-Americans.
To create your thesis statement, you will need to decide which side of the argument you are supporting. Are you arguing that the flag primarily represents Southern heritage, or are you arguing that it is primarily a symbol of hate? Once you have chosen your stance, your thesis statement should clearly express your position.
For example:
- If you believe that the flag is a symbol of Southern heritage: "Despite controversy and historical context, the Confederate flag should be recognized as an important emblem of Southern heritage, representing the region's history and identity."
- If you believe that the flag is a symbol of hate: "Given its association with the enslavement of African-Americans and racist ideology, the Confederate flag should be condemned as a symbol of hate and exclusion."
Once you have your thesis statement, you can use it as a guide to develop your topic sentences for each paragraph. In your case, you have three main paragraphs to discuss different aspects of the flag's symbolism. Here's how you could structure your paragraphs:
Paragraph 2: Start by introducing the current controversy surrounding the Confederate flag and its historical background. This paragraph could focus on the flag's usage and significance during the Civil War. Your topic sentence might be: "The Confederate flag's historical context is essential to understanding its current controversy and its place as a symbol of heritage."
Paragraph 3: Here, you can explore the argument that the flag represents Southern, geographically-based heritage. Discuss the arguments and perspectives of those who believe the flag signifies regional pride. Your topic sentence might be: "The proponents of the Confederate flag argue that it should be seen as a symbol of Southern heritage, representative of a distinct identity rooted in history and tradition."
Paragraph 4: In this paragraph, you can delve into the opposing viewpoint, highlighting the beliefs that the flag is inextricably linked to the enslavement of African Americans and racist ideology. Present arguments and evidence to support this perspective. Your topic sentence might be: "However, the Confederate flag's association with the enslavement of African-Americans and racist ideology cannot be ignored, thereby rendering it a symbol of hate and exclusion."
To create smooth transitions between paragraphs, it's important to connect the ideas from one paragraph to the next. You can achieve this by using transition words or phrases such as "In addition," "Furthermore," "Moreover," or "On the other hand" to signal the shift in focus or perspective.