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Comments on Paper 3: Brazil

1. The most obvious problem which appears (more frequently than expected) is identifying Brazil as a Spanish nation – fundamental error that creates doubt about the level of understanding of the course material. Bad beginning. Grader gets very frustrated and begins to wonder about the meaning of life.
2. Still too much confusion over the nature and definition of POWER and AUTHORITY. Hurts general conceptualization. Still seen by some as the synonymous concepts. They are not. Review basic concepts.
3. Some essays ignored the question and simply told a story (using a narrative form) rather than responding to the question. Story generally is a brief history of Brazil. Often correct but not responsive to question. (Maximum grade is 70 for a really good narrative)
4. Other essays focused on case studies/examples without connecting them to the theoretical issues. (Maximum grade of 79 if excellent treatment of examples).
5. Still others ignored the theoretical formulation and/or failed to take a stand on the question (Maximum grade of 75 if stated well and convincingly).

7. Try to avoid phrases such as “Brazil shaped a new identity....” use “Brazilian intellectuals....” or “Brazilian politicians....”
8. Be cautious with ideas such as “the people believe....” or “Brazil feels....” These are very broad concepts.

Critical to start with the question. Analyze it. Be sure that you understand it. If you do not, ask the instructor; talk to other students. Study groups are very, very helpful -- including virtual ones. Then begin to outline a response -- being sure that everything you include is related to the question. You may know many cool things but include only those that are relevant. Be sure that there are transitions between major ideas. Examine your conclusion carefully; very frequently your conclusion should be your introduction with the body of the essay reoriented to support the new introduction.