Posted: October 2nd, 2013
‘Strategicness’ and Singapore’s pre-colonial history
Essay Assignment 1: ‘Strategicness’ and Singapore
Write awell argued 800-word essay on any of the following questions. You are not required to refer to sources other than those covered in the textbook, lectures and tutorials so far but can do so if you want to.
1) “Some were born (inherently) strategic, some achieved “strategicness” and others had “strategicness” thrust upon them.” To what extent is thisan adequatedescription of how regional hubs rose and fell in the pre-colonial Malay World before 1511?
2) Given the Malay World’s long entanglement with great imperial powers up to the 1700s, should military “strategicness” be considered inherently detrimental, a necessary evil or an incredible opportunity for its aspiring regional hubs? (Remember not to confuse economic with military ‘strategicness’).
EssentialReadings
Pierre-Yves Manguin, “Srivijaya: An Introduction” in Nalanda and Sriwijaya, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, http://nsc.iseas.edu.sg/nalanda_sriwijaya.htm, accessed 9 Sep 2013.
Additional Readings
FORMATTING INSTRUCTIONS
a) The 800-word limit does not include your footnotes or bibliography. Make sure you include this word count on the front page. Making us count it for you manually will only increase our irritation and alertness. You can hit 880 words maximum.
b) Do not take the “easy way” out and try to recycle other people’s work as your own. Do not recycle a paper you submitted for another module on a similar topic. This is cheating and will lead to a “0” score and severe disciplinary action. To avoid plagiarism, please
i. explain ideas in your own words
ii. provide footnotes for any comments, statements or facts mentioned in the essay that have been obtained from any source other than your own first-hand knowledge;
c) Use standard font size and formats (e.g. Times New Roman 11-12), with a smaller font for footnotes (e.g. Times New Roman 9-10). Use line spacing of 1.5. Submit a proper Word or PDF document. Notepad, Rich Text, Open Office and other inferior programs are not acceptable.
Why is this essay so short?
This essay isbased on questions similar to those students will see in the ‘short answer’ section of their exam paper. It only asks questions that can be fully answered in two pages of exam script, often less (without leaving lines). The information you need to know to answer such questions well is limited.
How do I keep my essay within 800 words (you can exceed by 10%)?
1) Answer the question directly first. This way, you will never go out of point.
2) Explain very briefly what key insights led you to choose your conclusion over all others. E.g. Clear counter-examples exclude the other options but not mine, therefore my option must be correct
3) Provide a brief summary of the evidence perusal you will use to show that the sum of information available proves you right. E.g. I will discuss the sum of evidence for the rise, maintenance and decline of strategic value for all three hubs to show that…
4) Discuss these points one paragraph at a time. Show why your sub-conclusion for this point is correct and how that supports your final choice.
5) Punch home your conclusion as forcefully as you can.
6) There is no need to provide any background paragraphs as your markers already know everything you do. Stick to explaining your choices efficiently and effectively.
a) Use active rather than passive voice
E.g. “Melaka’s soldiers”, not “the soldiers of Melaka”.
“Temasek’s, Melaka’s and to a lesser extent, Johor’s experiences…” instead of “The experience of Temasek as well as that of Melaka and, to a certain extent, those of Johor”
E.g. “Melaka’s soldiers”, not “the soldiers of Melaka”.
“Temasek’s, Melaka’s and to a lesser extent, Johor’s experiences…” instead of “The experience of Temasek as well as that of Melaka and, to a certain extent, those of Johor”
b) Cut out “I think, I believe, in my opinion, it can be argued that” and other such redundant phrases. Do enough thinking to feel confident so you do not have to resort to these.
c) Avoid using phrases and words you do not understand. The simpler and more straightforward the writing, the clearer it is.
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