Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Project blog post 9 – Note taking

Here is a cut excerpt from my notes pages: I am using a system of color coding my entries by type and placing the outline numbers at the end of each note in bold type. I have chosen a random source from my bibliography to post. As we have discussed, this fits all three questions that you need to ask yourself when taking notes…Where is it from (source)? Where is it going (Outline)? And what type is it (Quote, paraphrase, or summary)?


**Although the color scheme does not show up in the blog, you have seen the example in class, so remember that it is apparent that each type of note taking is done in a different color for me to know and use later on:

Direct quotes that I may use are in “italics”
Paraphrase is in red
Summary is in green
IN BOLD TYPE, after the citation is the Roman numeral and a very brief description of topic which corresponds to the note’s place within my outline/paper.

***All of my citations include the relevant page number(s) so that I can cite properly, and go back and find it easily if I need to recheck or reread.

EXAMPLE:
Lawson, Don, The United States in the Vietnam War.New York: Thomas Y Crowell, 1981.

“Green Beret Teams included paramedics who were trained to improve the health of rural populations, but the Green Berets were relatively few in number.” (Lawson, 1981, p65) IV (Argument 1 Counterclaim)

Normal regiment doctors took care of U.S. Troops and casualties first, and then, if there were enough time and resources left over, they might help with Civilian Vietnamese injuries and issues. (p54) IV (Argument 1)
Troops were accused of random destruction at times. (p67) II (Background)

The Strategic Hamlet Program failed due to Vietnamese resentment and Vietcong tactics (p64-65) II (Background)

Overall definition and discussion of the “Zippo Brigades” harm in contrast to the VC actions of helping local farmers (p65) V (Argument 2)

To the local population, war was not a question of communism versus capitalism, but one of direct relationship to personal benefit. This was confusing to the US. (p65) V (Argument 2)



***FINAL NOTE: For those of you who prefer handwritten notes, remember, the examples of good note cards are in your Rock at Research guide, and tehre are recycled note cards next to all computers in the library for you to use!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Post 8: Full list of annotated sources

Keep an eye out for how this develops as I begin to take specific notes under each source. Again, I will not be asking for a specific format (note cards versus word documents) but will be sure that you have divised a system of your own that ensures you have taken adequate and relevant notes from your sources and avoided plagiarism. Also, notice that I have use a variety of source types (primary and secondary; written and audio and film; online and print...etc). This helps to show that you have been holistic and thorough in your efforst and research!

Here is my full annotated bibliography:

Burns, Jennifer. “The Vietnam War.” Podcast. History 7B US History from Civil War to Present . Spring 2006. webcast.berkley. 3 Mar. 2010.

Excellent introductory podcast from a survey course at the University of California Berkley. Provides both background information as well as survey level arguments related to some of my topics. May be useful at multiple points within my essay.


Eldman, Bernard, Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam. New York: Pocket Books Co, 1985.

A compilation of soldiers accounts in vietman from letters they sent home diriung the war which was compiled for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Comission in New York. The exerpts of soldiers in the war will be used most and will make up a large part of the referencing of my paper to document soldiers actual feelings, thoughts and actions in the war to compare with the film. One of my strongest sources.


Gaddis, John L. Strategies of Containment. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982.

Background information about the war and analytical commentary from a leading historian. Also good quotes from soldiers to reference and compare.


Gaius, Shaver R., and Canadell Josep. "The Vietnam War." Public Broadcasting System. PBS.org. Web. 15 Sept. 2010.

A detailed overall view of the Vietnam war, which includes multiple perspectives and many quotes and interviews of soldiers and politicians in the war. This will be my main source of quotation and information to examine in relation to the soldiers in the film.

Herr, Michael, Dispatches. New York: Vintage Books: A division of Random House Publishing Co. 1977.

A well based and popular work of Historical Fiction. I am not sure how or if I will use this book, but it can give insight into both accuracies in research and into how works of art may more accurately protray war as a juxtoposition to the film in question.

Kellog, Ray. The Green Berets. Hollywood California:Paramount Pictures, 1968.

A 1968 film portrayal of the Vietnam War. This is the primary source basis for analysis in my paper. I will use quotes from characters in the movie to display their feelings towards the war.


Lawson, Don, The United States in the Vietnam War.New York: Thomas Y Crowell, 1981.

Very broad overview, but very clearly explained. It is from a series called “The Young Peoples History of America’s Wars” so it may or may not be helpful for argument purposes, but could most likely provide clear contextual background.


Maraniss, David, They Marched Into Sunlight. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2003.

A detailed historical account of soldiers in vietman and their reactions at home. The exerpts of soldiers in the war will be used most and will make up a large part of the referencing of my paper to document soldiers actual feelings, thoughts and actions in the war to compare with the film.


McNamara, Robert, S. In Retrospect: Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam. New York: Vintage Books Random House Inc, 1996

Background information about the war and primary reflection from the U.S. military leader of the war in Vietnam. Will be used for background information, commentary about popularity of the war amongst the military,, as well as comparative insight of the nature of this person in relation to the general in the film.


Palmer, Laura, Shrapnel in the Heart: Letters and remembrances from the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. New York: Vintage Books: A division of Random House Publishing Co. 1987.

A compilation of soldiers accounts in vietman from letters they sent home diriung the war as well as interviews, diary entries and reactins from their family members. The exerpts of soldiers in the war will be used most and will make up a large part of the referencing of my paper to document soldiers actual feelings, thoughts and actions in the war to compare with the film. One of my strongest sources


Smith, T. E., E. A. Polloway, J. R. Patton, and C. A. Dowdy. "The Green Berets." Internet Movie Database. Web. 14 Sept. 2010.

A movie database website that gives background about the film and its creation. Also has links to articles and reviews that may be useful when looking at the validity of the movie, but mostly will be used for background information.

Summers Jr, Harry G, Vietnam War Almanac. New York: Facts On File Publications,1985.

A general almanac reference of key figures, events and terms within the Vietnam war. This will be used to relate specific people and events as well as to introduce and reference topics. Very general information.


Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States. New York: HarperCollins, 1999.

I will use chapter 18, “The Impossible Victory: Vietnam.” For use in the analysis, this book provides soldiers quotes and secondary analysis by the author that can be cross-referenced with ideas and soldiers views in the movie.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Post 7: Preliminary Outline

Here is my version of a preliminary outline based on my topic. Notice that although i left space for 4 argument paragraphs, I have yet to title them because I have yet to fully conduct research. This is a changing concept and the outline will begin to take better shape as we research.


I. Introduction
A. Context
B. Research Question
C. Process

II. Background about the Vietnam War
A. General Views
B. General Causes
C. General Effects

III. Background about portrayal of war in film
A. Uses of war and film
1. Positives
2. Negatives
B. Examples of war and film
1. Positives
2. Negatives

IV. Background about the film “The Green Berets”
A. Making of
B. Plot
C. Popularity and reviews

V. Transition
A. Context of the argument
B. Thesis Statement

VI. Argument 1 - ??
A. Portrayal in movie
B. Evidence from historical sources
C. Analysis

VII. Argument 1 - ??
A. Portrayal in movie
B. Evidence from historical sources
C. Analysis

VIII. Argument 1 - ??
A. Portrayal in movie
B. Evidence from historical sources
C. Analysis

IX. Argument 1 - ??
A. Portrayal in movie
B. Evidence from historical sources
C. Analysis

X. Conclusion
A. Thesis Restatement
B. Counterclaim
C. Other Issues