Self Review

Does the paper have a proper heading?

·         Yes

Does the paper have a title?

·         Yes, it is called Crimea’s Struggle

Does the paper include the writer’s last name and page number (top right corner)?

·         no

Introduction

Does the Intro hook the reader? Is it engaging?

·         No, nor is it engaging, however it does talk vaguely about mistreatment, alienation and genocide

Does it provide adequate context (sets up a problem/issue/situation)?

·         Yes, it says that Russia has no claim to Crimea. However it does not say that Russian is currently occupying Crimea

Is the purpose of the paper clear in the Intro?

·         Yes it says that Russia has no claim to Crimea

Does it set up clear expectations for the reader?

·         It vaguely tells what is going to be talked about in the reading, the mistreatment, alienation and genocide of Crimea.

Thesis Statement

Is the Thesis clear and focused?

·         The thesis is there but it is not strong and doesn't fit the paper

Does it contain 3-4 concepts?

·         Yes there are at least 3 concepts

Does it take a stance on a debatable issue, provide direction for the paper, and set up expectations?

·         Yes, it says that Russia does not have claim to Crimea while someone else could argue that they do have claim to it.

Does it avoid asking a question, stating a purpose, reciting a fact or simple topic?

·         It does not ask a question, the fact/ topic cannot easily be proved/disproved and it

Body Paragraphs

Do the body paragraphs support the paper’s thesis?

·         There is nothing in the body paragraphs to support the thesis yet.

Are they fully developed?

·         The body paragraphs are not fully developed

Does each section make claims that can be verified?

·         Most sentences making claims are cited

Are these claims supported with credible research?

·         The papers used as resources appear to be credible

Does the writer effectively quote and paraphrase from research sources?

·         The author states facts from the research but does not state them to the word and does not state them in quotations

Does the writer make clear connections that explain how the research supports his/her claims?

·         The author uses data to support most of its claims

Does the writer use sound reasoning?

·         The reasoning behind the writers ideas is sound

Are there smooth transitions, connecting each section together?

·         The paragraphs transition by going from one period of time to another, and are not necessarily smooth. The transition between paragraph 4 and 5 is somewhat smooth

Counterpoint

Does the writer identify and explore the opposition’s stance, providing evidence that refutes his/her argument?

·         There is no counter point as of yet

Does the writer identify logical fallacies and how they affect the opposition’s argument?

·         There is no counter point as of yet

Does the writer identify credibility or motivational issues that might affect the opposition’s argument?

·         There is no counter point as of yet

Conclusion

Does the conclusion avoid repeating topic sentences and other information that’s already been stated throughout the paper?

·         Yes for the most part. It may have to be rewritten

Does the conclusion show how the paper achieved its purpose?

·         It says that Russia has tried to take control of Crimea  but that the majority of the world does not recognize their claim

Does it answer the “so what” question? (offers new solutions, function as a call to action, and/or propose common ground?)

·         No, there is no call to action

Technical Requirements

Does the paper include at least 6 full pages of text (not including the Works Cited Page)?

·         There is currently 4 pages not including the works cited page

Does the writer use the most current MLA style?

·         No, the writer is using APA style

Does the writer use correct grammar and mechanics?

·         The writer appears to be using correct grammar and mechanics

Is the research properly cited?

·         There is a source and it is properly cited

Does all of the cited material correspond to entries on the Works Cited page?

·         Yes they have the author, date and page number

Is the Works Cited page formatted properly?

·         I don’t know

Does the writer use at least 5 credible sources?

·         There are three only one of which is listed and used.

Counter Thesis

       Russia does not have a territorial claim to the Crimean Peninsula. Russia took the Crimean Peninsula from the Ottoman empire in 1771 then subsequently annexed it after three different invasions of their land in 1783. after the Peninsulas annexation Russia began the mistreatment of the native people. it is estimated that "out of a population of approximately one million, some 300,000 Tatars fled Crimea and settled in Turkey". (Marples and Duke, 1995, 263).  This emigration to turkey in addition to the subsequent Russian immigration to the region created a population distribution by 1917 of the Tatars "slightly more than 25%, with Russians comprising almost 50% of the population and Ukrainians and other nationalities the remaining 25%." (Marples and Duke, 1995, 263). With the new Russian majority, they were now able to restructure Crimea as they pleased.

Marples, D. R., Duke, D. F. (1995). Ukraine, Russia, and the question of Crimea.

Nationalities Papers: The Journal of Nationalism and Ethnicity, 23(2), 261-289.