Making a choice between a case of attempted secession or a normative theory does not mean choosing whether or not to engage with theory. If you choose the first option, you should proceed to discuss the issues that explanatory theories of secession address: the grievances of secessionists; their organisational structure; their leadership; the response of the central government to the attempt at secession ; and the involvement of outside states (see, for instance, John R. Wood's article). If choosing the latter, you will be discussing a normative theory: you should look at the historical roots or origins of the theory (which political tradition it belongs); which norms it favours; how these norms are justified; what are its favourite cases (which secessions it justifies) and how it justifies them, and perhaps how these norms have come to be reflected in international law.