Below I have attached the instructions and grading rubric. Below, i attached a PDF with what I have so far “citing sources pdf”. It is far from done but I need you to fix what I have and finish it. Here were the comments on my post.
” Samuel,
Thank you for sharing your essay! You’ve put together a thoughtful and well-researched analysis of U.S. postwar policies and their influence on Russia’s expansionist strategies. Your argument is compelling, and I appreciate how you tie historical context to modern geopolitical realities. Below are some areas for refinement:
Thesis & Argument Structure
Your thesis is engaging and presents a nuanced perspective on Russia’s expansionism as defensive posturing. However, it could be more precise and assertive to strengthen your stance. Consider revising it to something like: “U.S. postwar containment policies, particularly through military alliances like NATO, contributed to shaping Russia’s expansionist strategies—not as aggression, but as defensive measures rooted in historical insecurities.” This makes your argument clearer while maintaining the depth of your analysis.
Grammar & Clarity
Your writing is sophisticated, but some sentences could be streamlined for better readability:
- “Neither just in terms of American foreign relations nor just in terms of Russia’s strategic outlook, this policy placed the United States at the center of American thought, and centered Russian strategic thought as deeply historical insecurities.” → This sentence is complex and could be clearer. Consider breaking it into two sentences for better flow.
- “However, these policies from the Soviets look like a long-term strategy to undermine their sovereignty and influence.” → Rewording this as “From the Soviet perspective, these U.S. policies appeared to be a long-term strategy aimed at undermining their sovereignty and influence.” would improve clarity.
Footnotes (Turabian Notes Style)
For your first reference to NSC-68, the footnote should be: 1 The American Women’s College, Foreign Policy during the Cold War (Bay Path University, n.d.), https://open.baypath.edu/his115/chapter/foreign-policy-during-the-cold-war/..
For your citation of Robert E. Berls Jr., it should be: 2 Robert E. Berls Jr., Survival of the Russian State: Protecting It from Foreign and Domestic Threats, Part I (Washington, D.C.: Nuclear Threat Initiative, July 13, 2021), https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/survival-russian-state-protecting-it-foreign-and-domestic-threats-part-i/..
Bibliography Adjustments
Your bibliography should match Turabian formatting, ensuring proper ordering and punctuation:
Bibliography Entry (Turabian Style): Berls, Robert E. Jr. Survival of the Russian State: Protecting It from Foreign and Domestic Threats, Part I. Washington, D.C.: Nuclear Threat Initiative, July 13, 2021. https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/survival-russian-state-protecting-it-foreign-and-domestic-threats-part-i/..
The American Women’s College. Foreign Policy during the Cold War. Bay Path University, n.d. https://open.baypath.edu/his115/chapter/foreign-policy-during-the-cold-war/..
Final Notes
Make sure footnotes use superscript numbers and that all titles are properly italicized in both footnotes and bibliography. You’re already on the right track—just refining these formatting details will make your submission even stronger!”
Please note that TurnItIN will be checked for this paper so be careful with what you use. I know you do a plagerism and AI report but make sure that report does not enter antyhing on the turn it in site.