Essays

Study Guide: Essays 7

8 149.708 Joint, Interagency and Multinational Operations
149.708 assessment components

Assignment 1 (essay of 2000 words) 30%

Assignment 2 (essay of 3000 words) 50%
NZDF CSC assessment components 20%
Total 100%

Submission of essays

It is expected that essays will be submitted by the due dates. If, for medical or other
reasons, extensions are required, please contact Major Jones. He will liaise with
Massey University in relation to extensions.

You will be required to submit one paper copy and one electronic copy of each
essay to Major Jones. He will forward the paper copy to Massey University for
examination. In addition, you will be required to upload one electronic copy to the
course Stream site – for which separate instruction will be issued.

Assessment of essays

The essays will be graded, commented on, and returned (through Major Jones) as
soon as possible. Because of the size of the class, grading of essays and provision
of detailed feedback will require 2-3 weeks. Please do not contact Massey University
staff individually seeking clarification of return dates. Major Jones will be kept
informed of the progress of grading and the anticipated return date – with all essays,
other than any late submissions, to be returned at the same time. He will liaise with
Massey University on the class’s behalf.

Are you able to request a re-mark of your essay?

Yes. If you genuinely believe an essay has been incorrectly assessed, Massey
University policy is that you are able to request re-examination of the essay.

In 149.708 you will receive detailed feedback showing how the grade was arrived at
and how you might have improved the essay. (See the next two pages for how
grades are worked out in 149.708.) You should take note of the feedback and then if
still not satisfied you should contact either Major Jones or the essay’s examiner
directly. Concerns will be discussed, and re-examination of the essay conducted by
the same marker if needed. If, after that second grading exercise the student

Study Guide: Essays 9

remains dissatisfied, then a second examiner can be asked for – he or she will be
handed an unmarked, ungraded copy.

A couple of tips for writing essays for 149.708

First and foremost, remember that you are producing a research essay. The building
blocks of your essay are your sources: the quality as well as quantity of sources will
be taken into account. The readings in this guide are a good starting point but you
are expected to research more widely and to locate quality sources.

Second, remember that in an essay you are mounting an argument in response to a

set question. Make sure you are answering the question. Try to avoid making your
response a plain, historical narrative of events.

Marking Criteria and Grading Scale

The examiner will be assessing your essay based on a number of points, including:
relevance of the essay to the stated topic; development of an argument in response
to the question; logical structure; use of concepts and terms; validity of conclusions
(based on solid evidence); quality of sources and the use of those sources to build
your argument; use of examples, where appropriate, to illustrate points you are
making; and the technical requirements of footnotes and bibliography.

Appendices, maps and glossaries can be helpful additions to the main text, but they
are not absolutely necessary. Produce them if you feel they are needed.

Percentage Grade Comment

85+ A+ Outstanding
80 - 84 A Excellent
75 - 79 A- Very Good
70 - 74 B+ Strong
65 - 69 B Good
60 - 64 B- Competent
55 - 59 C+ Acceptable
50 - 54 C Needs further work but still acceptable
47 - 49 R Restricted pass
40 - 46 D Deficient
<39 E Deficient, incomplete

Presentation

Please ensure that your essay is printed on one side of the page only; has page
numbers; adequate margins (approx. 3cm on left and right sides of page) and

10 149.708 Joint, Interagency and Multinational Operations

adequate line spacing (1½ or double spaced) to give room for marker comments.
Finally, ensure that has been spell checked.

Indication of 149.708 grading

Component What is assessment against Mark out of

(indicative only)

Introduction Does the introduction set the scene, and 10

provide a clear intent of the aim and
scope of the essay? Is it too long?

Structure Is the structure logical, well thought out, 10

enabling the essay to ‘flow’ in the right
direction?

Body Does the essay tackle the question and 45

stay on track, identify essential issues,
make accurate statements supported by
sources, offer evaluation and analysis,
and respond with a cogent argument?
Does it do what the introduction
indicated?

Conclusion Does the conclusion wrap up the essay 10

with a short recapping of the essay and
the argument made?

Research Is the essay based on quality sources 15

and with sufficient quantity, indicated also
with accurate footnotes and bibliography?

Presentation Is the essay ‘polished’ with time taken to 10

provide adequate margins, line spacing,
and spell checked?

Study Guide: Essays 11

ESSAY 1

Question

Using a contemporary (post-1980) operation, explain the key Joint, Interagency and
Multinational lessons that were learned from this operation.

Word length

2000 words

Due date

Monday 4 July 2011

Sources and referencing

The readings provided give a basis for your written essay. However, to answer this
question effectively you will need to locate additional quality sources about the topic.

Students are required to provide appropriate referencing (footnotes) especially for

books, articles and websites. When the reference is to readings contained in this
study guide please give the book or article details and page number as if you had
found it in the original source; do not give the page number of the study guide.

Presentation

Please ensure that your essay is printed on one side of the page only; has page
numbers; adequate margins (approx. 3cm on left and right sides of page) and
adequate line spacing (1½ or double spaced) to give room for marker comments.
Finally, ensure that has been spell checked.

12 149.708 Joint, Interagency and Multinational Operations

ESSAY 2

Preamble: On 30 August 2009, the then Commander of the International Security

Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), General McChrystal, released his initial
assessment of the situation in Afghanistan. His successor, General Petraeus, has
stated that the McChrystal Report remains relevant today. In August 2010, however,
the Afghanistan Study Group released a report titled A New Way Forward:
Rethinking US Strategy in Afghanistan. This report criticised the US approach to the
conflict and offered a five-point approach on a way forward.

Essay: Compare and contrast the McChrystal Report and the Afghanistan Study
Group Report. What are the implications of each for Joint, Interagency and
Multinational operations?

Word length

3000 words

Due date
Monday 1 August 2011

Sources

The readings provided give a basis for your written essay. They include historical
summaries and contemporary thoughts on the topic along with the McChrystal
Report and the report of the Afghanistan Study group. These readings should be
considered the absolute minimum for a research essay. To do well in this essay, you
are encouraged to locate additional quality sources about the topic or related issues
to produce a stronger essay.

Referencing

Students are required to provide appropriate referencing (footnotes) especially for

books, articles and websites. When the reference is to readings contained in this
study guide please give the book or article details and page number as if you had
found it in the original source; do not give the page number of the study guide.

Presentation

Please ensure that your essay is printed on one side of the page only; has page
numbers; adequate margins (approx. 3cm on left and right sides of page) and
adequate line spacing (1½ or double spaced) to give room for marker comments.
Finally, ensure that has been spell checked.

Study Guide: Essays 13

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Study Guide: Essays 15
16 149.708 Joint, Interagency and Multinational Operations