Vietnam War Research Paper and Project
Your Mission: Choose a topic of interest on the Vietnam War. I have provided a list of various
topics below these instructions. From that list choose one that appeals to you. I will consider
other thoughtful topic choices not from the list, but any of these must be approved by me!
Second: Once you have your topic narrow it down. Avoid having such a broad topic that you are
swimming with information. Make sure you have a clear and concise thesis that either shows the
importance of your topic or takes a stand on your topic. For example if someone’s topic was the
cause of the war his/her thesis would be: The essential cause of the Vietnam War was the
instability of government relations between the North and South Vietnamese.
Third: You will write a 3-4 page research paper focused around your thesis statement and
providing evidence to back up your thesis statement. You will use MLA format and follow the
KHS Style Guide guidelines for formatting your paper. Attached is the rubric that I will use in
assessing your paper. You are to ATTACH the rubric to your final paper for evaluation
Fourth: You will teach the class what you have learned about your topic in a well-constructed
PowerPoint or Prezi-style presentation. Your presentation will be evaluated according to a
separate rubric that you will receive before you begin planning your lesson. You have an
obligation to your classmates to be attentive. Everyone will be responsible for evaluating each
presentation and offering constructive feedback to presenters.
Along the way you will have check points for the various drafts. However, it is your
responsibility to complete this paper and presentation. Some of the work will be finished outside
of class. We will only have a few class periods to work on it in school. Plan accordingly!!
Paper Due_____________
Presentation Due______________
ASSIGNMENT: RESEARCH TOPICS on the VIETNAM WAR
EVALUATION RUBRIC with TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS for EACH SECTION
(10)
INTRODUCTION: Clear, well-written thesis statement reveals focus of research.
 Draws readers in, piques curiosity.
 Clearly defines research subject, identifies all people, terms, issues, events, etc.
 Includes sufficient background information.
(20)
BODY OF PAPER: Sufficient appropriate details, specific examples, data, statistics, and facts.
 All information is accurate, factual, concise and specific.
 Includes balanced information, shows evidence of research, discovery, and self-reflection.
 Thoroughly supports all ideas and statements with cited sources.
(30)
CONTENT: Breadth and depth of research.
 Includes sufficient direct quotations from all sources on Works Cited page.
 All internal citations follow MLA format.
 Thoroughly explains, interprets, and evaluates all information and citations.
 No unsubstantial opinions, superlatives, sweeping generalities, or repetitive statements.
(10)
INTERNAL CITATIONS: Cites authentic, scholarly, credible sources throughout.
 Uses a variety of primary and secondary sources – no encyclopedias.
 Uses variety of web sites – universities, the government, and legitimate professional groups.
 Accurately and completely defines all related terms, people, places, and events.
(15)
MECHANICS: No usage – grammatical errors. No wordiness or awkward sentences.
 Title on cover page reveals focus of paper, centered in all capitals.
 Student’s name and date paper is passed in are in lower right corner.
 Varied sentence structure. Well-written topic sentences, appropriate transitions used.
 Third person objective point-of-view used. (No: you, I, me, we, us, our, mine, etc…)
 Formal diction and tone used throughout. No idioms, slang, contractions, or colloquialisms.
 Uses strong verbs and vivid descriptions.
 Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman or similar font, 12 point.
 Meets length requirement of _____ pages.
(10)
CONCLUSION: Does not merely repeat thesis.
 Offers present day implications of research findings. (What it means today and why it
matters.)
 Reviews important understandings and draws final conclusion.
(5)
WORKS CITED PAGE: All entries follow MLA format.
 All sources in paper appear on Works Cited page.
 All sources on Works Cited page appear in paper.
Research Paper/Speech Topics--Vietnam & the War
The following are some topics that might be considered as possibilities for writing an assigned
research paper and speech. Some topics are hyperlinked to websites.
The causes of the Vietnam War
The anti-war movement
U.S. foreign policy during the Vietnam War
The use of Agent Orange and other herbicides
Afro-American soldiers in Vietnam
Draft evasion and amnesty
Conscientious objectors
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Journalism and the Vietnam War (click on Vietnam War Tab)
Nurses in Vietnam
Women who served in Vietnam
The role women played in the Vietnamese military
The culture of the Sixties
Drug use in Vietnam
The POW/MIA issue
U.S. and Vietnamese military and political leaders
Specific battles (Tet, Khe Sanh, etc.)
My Lai
U.S. relations with Vietnam in the two decades after the war.
Vietnam today
Vietnamese culture (art music, religion, customs, history)
Vietnamese refugees--the boat people