Reference no: EM131107979

Push and pull factors in Syrian migration.

Question

Syria has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011. Since the beginning of that war, "more than two million" refugees have fled their homes and many migrants have left the country (Yardley and Pianigiani 2013; Semple 2014). While many of the people migrate to neighboring countries such as Turkey and Lebanon, others make their way to Europe or the United States, both legally and illegally(Stevis 2014). The war and migration have even had some negative impacts on education in Syria (UNICEF 2013).

Provide details about the migration of people from Syria since the beginning of its civil war in 2011, including a discussion of the push and pull factors in migration as well as the destinations of the migrants.

To answer this question thoroughly, you may want to consider the following questions. Why are people leaving Syria? How many people have left? What percentage of Syrians have left their homes? What are the characteristics of those who are migrating to various countries? What are they doing in their new locations? What effects are being felt both in Syria and in the destinations of these migrants?

Sources and Strategies

Choose a variety of sources. First, use the library and/or the internet databases to learn more about this subject. Because this is a current event, please look for up-to-date articles in reputable popular media (for example, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, BBC, etc.). As well, look for expert analysis and historical background by scholars, participants and journalists. Be sure that your search for expert analysis and opinions includes voices from across the political spectrum, and if possible, from outside the United States as well as inside. I've given you a start with four sources, shown below. Wikipedia is NOT an acceptable source. Nor is any other encyclopedia.

Formatting Requirements

Length: The body of your research essay should be at least 1000 words (use "Word Count" to make sure you meet minimum length of 1000 words). Use Times New Roman font (12 point), with 1 inch margins all around. Begin your response at the top of the page. Do NOT use a title page. Please include your name in the "header." No other identifying information is needed. Please number your pages. Please send a digital copy as an e-mail attachment. SAVE A COPY FOR YOURSELF.

Tips on Essay Writing

Tips on writing an essay and "21 Writing Tips" are included in the "Research Essay" area on Blackboard. In addition, there is also information on the evaluation criteria.

Works Cited

Semple, Kirk. 2014. "Fleeing the Bombs in Aleppo, Syria, and Ending Up In New Jersey," New York Times, January 3, 2014; online at https://goo.gl/s1SXxS

Stevis, Matina. 2014. "Number of Migrants Trying to Reach Europe Illegally Rose Sharply in 2013," Wall Street Journal; online at https://goo.gl/SxE3TG

Yardley, Jim. 2013. "Out of Syria, Into a European Maze," New York Times, November 29, 2013; online at https://goo.gl/Vb0xYM

UNICEF. 2013. "Syria Crisis: Education Interrupted," UNICEF, December 2013;online at https://www.unicef.org/media/files/Education_Interrupted_Dec_2013.pdf

You may use these sources, but you are not required to do so. In any case, be sure that you find enough high-quality sources to be able to answer the question clearly, thoroughly, and with sufficient detail. If you choose to use these sources, they'll give you a pretty good start.

There are plenty of good sources on this subject and they're easy to find! If you need additional help finding sources, talk to a librarian.

ANSWERING AN ESSAY QUESTION

Introduction

Answering an essay question is not difficult, although it requires thought. The challenge in an essay exercise is that the question to which you must respond is given, and it is up to you to develop a thoughtful, logical answer that is relevant, accurate, and complete. This handout is designed to help you develop your skills in this area.

Steps in Formulating a Response

In the case of essay questions, there are several generally accepted steps that will help you to organize your thoughts and write a logical answer.

Read the question carefully

This may seem like an obvious point, but it is critical to success. Take your time to make sure you understand exactly what the question is. Break it down into its component parts, making certain to identify each question and sub-question to which you must respond. Make notes if necessary. Look for specific language used in the question that may give insight into the exact meaning of the question, and therefore clues about the appropriate response.

Think

Again, another obvious point, but one that sometimes is overlooked in the heat of the moment. Take the time to organize your thoughts, including developing a brief written outline of the points you would like to include in your response. Order your points from most important to least important, in case you run into time or length restrictions. Make sure you respond to each part of the question as it is posed.

Organize your thoughts; research if it's a take-home essay

Take a few moments to organize your thoughts, re-reading the question and your notes. Make sure that your ideas respond to the question. Eliminate irrelevant points, add newly-remembered relevant points. Ask about each point you have listed, "does this help me make my point?" If it does not, eliminate it. Think about the order in which you will present your arguments in order to come to a convincing conclusion. Use examples to support your ideas whenever possible (however, be aware of other examples that may refute your ideas).

Consider challenges to your ideas

Part of the challenge of answering an essay response is in developing a persuasive argument. There are several pitfalls in this area to avoid. First, avoid emotional appeals. Even if you feel strongly about your position, remember that a logical argument is more persuasive than an emotional appeal. Second, examine the issue thoroughly from every side, especially from opposing sides. Know the pros and cons thoroughly. Be able to make a logical case for your position, but be aware of opposing views that may undercut your argument, and develop your response accordingly. Review your notes and modify them as necessary.

Write

After this preparation, begin to write. Begin with an introductory sentence that in some way restates the question to which you are responding. (This is especially important if you are responding to an essay question that is a choice from among several.) State your position clearly, and present your case logically. Again, be sure to respond to each part of the question as it is posed.

Re-read, proofread, and edit

Take the time to re-read your response. Make sure that you have responded clearly and completely to the question as it is phrased. Make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct. If you are using a word-processor (as you might in a take-home essay), use the spell-checker, but be aware that a spell checker does not catch every misspelling. (For example, if you've written "from" as "form" the spell-checker will not see a mistake.) There are several strategies for editing. If the essay is a take-home, you might read your response aloud to listen for grammatical mistakes, or have someone else read it. However, if you are at all unsure of your own abilities or those of your proof-reader to catch all grammatical mistakes, in the case of a take-home, have someone at your college's Writing Center proof it for you.

Prepare your finished product

After you have written, re-read and edited your response, prepare your finished product. In the case of a take-home essay, if you are using a typewriter, make sure that all corrections are made neatly and clearly. If you are using a word-processor, produce a clean copy to submit. The product you submit should be of professional quality. In the case of an in-class essay, write as legibly as possible.

Points to remember:

• Keep in mind your course subject as you develop your responses; use themes covered in class to help frame your arguments whenever possible

• Use documented facts, figures, and examples to support your position

• Steer clear of emotional rhetoric

• No filler (this is an all-natural exercise)

• Use citations as needed

Evaluation of essay questions

In general, an essay will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Substance

• Relevance of your response
• Accuracy of facts, figures and examples
• Consistency and clarity of logic
• Consistency of content with course subject
• Thoroughness of analysis
• Absence of filler and emotional rhetoric

Form

• Use of citations where needed
• Correct spelling and grammar (make use of the Writing Center if necessary)

Format

• Follow the format that your instructor recommends

World Geography (Geog207)

TERM PAPER EVALUATION SHEET

Please use this as a guide as you write your term paper. I will be using this guide as I grade.

A. Research: Solid research generally results in great papers. Research that includes sufficient detail leads to clear, insightful descriptions of concepts that can be used to support later conclusions. Research that is multi-sided, and contains accurate information makes it easier to analyze your topic and reach logical conclusions.

1. Sources must be reliable, accurate, analytical, and/or scholarly.
2. There must be enough sources (be careful when using internet sources, especially Wikis)
3. Sources must be appropriately current and/or reflect the most recent thought and events on the topic.

B. Content: Substantively, your term paper must demonstrate that you know your subject thoroughly. Do this by providing substantiated and accurate facts, specific detail, presented in a framework of sound logic.

1. Sufficient factual basis: facts must be supportable and accurate.
2. Information must be specific rather than vague. Include adequate detail.
3. Logic must be clear and supportable; arguments must make sense.
4. Conclusions must be supported by evidence, not merely stated as fact; just because something is written and published does not make it true. Draw on your factual content to make your case. AVOID PERSONAL OPINION.

C. Organization: In order to be most effective, your term paper must be logically organized. A common and straightforward way to organize writing is chronologically (from an earlier point in time to a later point in time). Good organization leads the reader (me, your instructor) from the facts to a well-supported conclusion.

1. Points must follow in a logical progression
2. Points should be made clearly, and not repeated.
3. All points should be relevant (NO irrelevant points).

D. Grammar, spelling: The writer must use correct grammar and spelling

1. Grammar should be excellent.
2. Spelling should be error free.

E. Citations: The purpose of citations is to make it possible for the reader to look up the source. Citations acknowledging sources must be included in text. In addition, a "Works Cited" page must be included at the end of the text.

1. Citations must be included in text (they are required).
2. Citation information in "works cited" must be complete (author and/or title, dates, etc.) --- even for internet sources (a URL is NOT complete citation for internet sources). Citations must use a standard format of your choice APA, MLA or University of Chicago/Turabian). For help, go to "Citation Wizard" (https://workscited.tripod.com/).
3. "Works Cited" list or page must be included.