What question does the author pose? This typically is implied rather than stated explicitly, so you might be searching for something that is not literally in the text.
Thesis/position/argument/claim
Where do you first find the argument?
The argument is first realized in page 89 where the author says “the extraordinary sensitivity of the Ottoman elite to local conditions allowed them to build an empire across three continents that endured for many centuries.”(Greene 89). It is an indication of the involved process and what it would take to achieve control over other states or people. There are other sections in the article which support the argument.
What language indicates to you that this is the primary argument?
The language for the argument is conclusive and highly authoritative. It shows that for a long time, the Ottoman had power over the rest of the members of the society as well as the surrounding areas. It also shows that it has been accepted that the most powerful people should govern the rest. The language shows surety of the Ottoman being at liberty and in position to control the rest of the communities.
Context
Why is the argument significant?
The argument is significant in explaining why the Ottoman has power over many states in there continents. It displays uniqueness in the element of power. The argument is also useful in the explanation why states need liberty so as to save their people from oppression and foreign rule. It is also an explanation for greatness through struggle for power.
What other positions does the author indicate are debated regarding the topic?
When was the article written? Where was it published? Who was the intended audience?
The article “The Ottoman experience” was written in 2005 during spring. It was published by The MIT Press for the American Academy of Arts and Science.
The intended audiences were the historians who intended to understand how certain historical elements unfolded. It intended to explain to the people who may be interested on following up on why certain activities happened and how they occurred at a particular time. It was also written for reference by researchers in the history field.
Evidence
The article gathers exclusive evidence from previous articles regarding the empires. It cites dates, which are borrowed from other articles relevant to the point f discussion in the article.
Counter arguments
There is a counter argument that the empires fought for the territory for the personal interests of the states. They did not have the interests of the people they wanted to conquer. They were not interested in the practices of the people but intended to suppress their freedom and power.
Effectiveness
The article is highly effective as manages to link the previous ideas or occurrences to modern activities. The use of language that can be understood easily and the specification of dates make the article interesting. There is a lot of evidence in the article for the thesis. Also, the article is well structured in sentences and paragraphs to make it easy to read and understand.
Works Cited
Greene, Molly. "The Ottoman Experience". Daedalus 134.2 (2005): 88-99. Web.
McGregor, Andrew James. A Military History Of Modern Egypt. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Security International, 2006. Print.
