Yom
Structuring a Scholarly Pape
In political science and other academic disciplines, research papers perform a singular task: to deliver a persuasive hypothesis and explanation for an important outcome, event, or puzzle. To that end, every section of your paper should be designed to facilitate this task.
Papers are their own worst enemies. Their structure too often obstructs rather than aids the reader’s comprehension of the central point. Typically, we face two problems in structuring long papers. First, we emulate the dense jargon that characterizes the scholarship we read. We conflate complex words and opaque structure with intellectual authority. Resist this temptation and use the simplest language possible to convey your point. Remember Howard Becker’s seminal lesson: “to overcome the academic prose you must first overcome the academic pose.”
Second, we attempt to squeeze too much into a paper. Even though a paper approaching 15-20 pages sounds daunting, the course of research often generates too much information. Sometimes, we want to include everything in the paper, to prove that we know our topic. Or, we inject so much flowery language that the text bursts at the seams! Do not fall into this trap: your reader only cares about the argument. Obey the page limit.
The Master Template: Four Sections
There is a very useful format for political science papers that you should know. Though different contexts may require minor alterations, consider this the dominant framework for structuring your paper. It applies to any paper considered “seminar length”—typically, 15 or more pages, and written as part of an intensive reading class (the logic behind Temple capstones, or any graduate class), or for publication in scholarly journals.
I. Introduction. This is one of the most important parts of the paper. A confused reader who cannot follow your lead will at worst quickly lose interest, and at best be less likely to accept the main argument that follows. Thus, every introduction must have four parts. For a paper of 15-20 pages, the introduction should be no more than 2 pages.
a) State the puzzle or question, and mention why it is significant. Typically, puzzles in political science are important because they have either theoretical or policy-oriented significance.
) Present the hypothesis/explanation, and justify why it is superior to competing arguments. Also discuss the importance of your case(s), and why they are worthy of investigation.
c) Establish the essence of the contribution: why does your work matter? What is the contribution to knowledge, and how do you shape how we think about the topic? Convince the audience that they should read the rest of the paper!
d) Road map. Preview the rest of the paper by
iefly discussing what each succeeding section holds. “First, I review the literature to show why my theoretical answer resolves the puzzle of… Second, I present my data and results, illustrating how this explanation unfolds… I conclude the paper by highlighting policy implications and…”
II. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework. Express the logic of your approach by first presenting your literature review. The literature review emerges as the first substantive section because by critically exposing gaps and flaws in the existing scholarship, you can set up your own argument and show how it adds to our knowledge and theories. This also means carefully explaining why rival explanations do not work, and why your own argument is necessary to move forward. For any paper of 15-20 pages, this section should be no more than 3-4 pages.
III. Cases and Explanation. This is the heart of the paper—the meat on the bones, the fuel for the fire. For any paper of 15-20 pages, this will require at least 8 pages. You may need to
eak up this large section into sub-sections; how you do so is up to you.
In this section, introduce the cases, and present your data in a concise way. Deliver only the information necessary for the explanation to succeed. Do not turn this section into an historical overview, a demonstration of intellectual mastery, or a moral argument. Instead, be as precise. Focus only on the people, events, and processes that play a central role. Discuss only the time period under review. Emphasize the link between cause and effect. Resist the urge to introduce extraneous footnotes and excessive information.
By the end of this core section, the reader should know precisely what your argument is—all the moving parts, all the vital information, and the reasons why your hypothesis is right or wrong.
IV. Conclusion. Remember that the conclusion is the last thing the reader will see. Here, restate the main point of the paper. Trace out its implications—how does it affect the way we understand a particular topic or subject? What was the point of the project? Should politicians and policymakers care; and if so, why and how? If you wish to make predictions about the future, do so here. For any paper close to 15-20 pages, the conclusion should be no more than 1.5 to 2 pages.
AI Usage
When writing your paper, AI-based tools are not very useful. You can prompt some platforms to generate long-form texts that stretch on for many pages, but if that artificial essay is not structured in the way described here – and more importantly, if it does not persuasively show evidence of your hard-earned research and analysis – then the resulting paper will fall flat.
They also cannot generate drafts that match the four-part structure of a political science research paper in a sensible way. (For instance, a section called “literature review” that actually does not review any literature using the approaches we have learned is not very useful.)
Nonetheless, remember that you are free to engage AI-based tools to continue
ainstorming, dialoguing, and experimenting with new ideas and sources. But they cannot write any part of the actual submitted text, as per class and university guidelines.
POLS 4896 Commentary on First Draft
Student: Sundhi Sehgal
Grade: 13/15
Following up with your proposal and annotated bibliography, this first draft represents a working foundation to the final paper. You are still researching the origins of the cu
ent conflict in Kashmir and, more
oadly, the reasons behind its stifled human rights situation and political development. This is good, measurable progress. You still have some work to do, but you’ve begun moving from
oad descriptive na
ative (which we do not want) to more focal, explanatory analysis—telling us not what Kashmir is but rather why it appears so political and economically frail. With a few more changes, this will be a good final paper.
Introduction and Literature Review
The introduction gives a decent overview of the puzzle and its significance. From here, I can see you’re focusing on the Jammu-Kashmir region, as well as the implications of this topic. Be sure to include a roadmap for the rest of the paper, however. In addition, you do not have to set aside the history of Kashmir separately; please include this in the next big section, the literature review.
The literature review is unfinished, partly because I think you are divide this 3-4 page section up into smaller sub-sections with their own headings. Don’t do this: instead, simply create a larger section entitled “Literature Review” and, from there, tie up the analysis you have into a few key segments based on the scholarship you are reading: the region’s history, then the theoretical framework, then the various factors like external mediation and insurgency that have shaped Kashmiri politics and conflict today.
In other words, you have all the right pieces of analysis, but like a jigsaw puzzle these must “fit” together in the right sequence and framework. Your final literature review section should include everything up until the cases/explanation section, and give the reader a good, grounded understanding of what scholars have been writing, researching, and debating regarding Kashmir.
Case and Explanation
This is the biggest and most important section. Again, it is unfinished, but there are positives to point out: you remind the reader about Kashmir’s historical background, and then suggest that issues involving local governance, human rights practices, and economic development matter the most in terms of its “complex dynamics.”
Keep going. I am sensing the major hurdle here, but not insurmountable, is the need to fully shift from pure description to analytical explanation. You write well, and our goal is to ensure that your writing feeds into an observational mode (in which you argue that Kashmir’s problems are complex) but rather an explanatory mode (in which you argue that the reasons for Kashmir’s problems rest in factors X, Y, and Z). This is very important change to make, because at times your writing still veers too much into an attempt to capture and describe what is happening on the ground (which is valuable, but not the purpose of this project), rather than an attempt to explain the underlying causes and origins of an ongoing outcome or phenomenon. This requires some more revision and rethinking on your part, but I am confident you can do this.
Some last general recommendations, on a more generic note: take care in not getting bogged down in excessive details, remember the academic source requirement (minimum: 8), and recall that the conclusion of the paper should have some “punch” to it. It should not only summarize the paper, but also tell the reader why explaining your puzzle has very
oad theoretical and empirical significance.
This is promising and ever-improving work—and I mean this. I look forward to reading the final product!
Sehgal 1
Sundhi Sehgal
Professor Yom
LA-POLS-4896
Nov 7, 2023
First Draft
Unraveling the Kashmir Conflict
Sehgal 2
Introduction
For many years, the world has been captivated by the Kashmir dispute, a geopolitical
fight that is long-lasting and deeply ingrained. This long-running conflict, which is located in the
center of South Asia, involves a complex web of political dynamics, local, regional, and national
actors, and intricate governmental institutions. Beyond its physical borders, its effects are felt
throughout the region and have an impact on human rights and the economy of the area. This
preface lays the groundwork for a detailed analysis of these complex problems.
Known as "Paradise on Earth," Kashmir has a tu
ulent past filled with violent conflicts
etween communities, long-standing te
itorial claims, and a persistent struggle for independence
(Iqbal & Afridi). The area has borders with China, Pakistan, and India, placing it at a pivotal
juncture. Its distinctive location combined with a patchwork of cultural, religious, and ethnic
identities have made it a contentious focal point. The principal aim of this research is to decipher
the complex network of variables that have given rise to the cu
ent conflict and comprehend the
ways in which these elements have influenced human rights and economic growth in the area.
Historical Context
We need to look at the conflict's historical foundations in order to fully understand how
complicated it is. The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh,
existed as an independent unit within the British Raj prior to its 1947 admission to India. The
future of this princely kingdom became a point of concern throughout the period of India's
independence and the division that followed. A tribal assault from Pakistan had an impact on
Maharaja Hari Singh's decision to join India, which sparked the first Indo-Pakistani War in
1947–1948.
Sehgal 3
Since then, the dispute has developed into a lengthy battle in which both India and
Pakistan contend to be the rightful owners of the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir (Balcerowicz,
Piotr & Agnieszka Kuszewska). As a result, there is now a de facto split, with Pakistan in charge
of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan and India in charge of the Union Te
itories of
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The problem is further complicated by the fact that China also
owns a portion of the area in Aksai Chin.
Theoretical Framework
In understanding the Kashmir conflict, we will employ a theoretical framework drawing
from several key concepts:
Ø The concept of self-determination holds significant importance in the matter of Kashmir.
One of the key causes of the conflict continues to be the Kashmiri people's desires for
autonomy and the freedom to choose their own political status.
Ø Geopolitics: The area is significantly impacted by the geopolitical interests of India and
Pakistan in particular (Bhatnagar, Stuti & Priya Chacko). The conflict's trajectory is
influenced by the larger power dynamics inside and outside of the South Asian area.
Ø Separatist Movements and Militancy: The conflict has become more complex due to the
existence of separatist movements and militant organizations in the area. These groups'
eliefs, drives, and strategies greatly influence the state of affairs.
Ø The settlement process has been enriched with opportunities and problems due to the
engagement of multinational entities, such as the United States and the United