Writing Assignment
Each student must complete a seven-eight page writing assignment related to American government worth sixty points. This can take the form of a research paper, book review, or review of journal articles. This writing activity will help the student investigate a topic of interest in greater detail, facilitate the development of better research and writing skills, and provide future teachers with important material in their American government course. In addition, good writing skills are essential for students wanting to attend college.
The research paper should have a brief introduction describing the topics to be covered in the paper. The body should contain appropriate headings to organize the paper and help the reader better understand what is being discussed. The writing should be clear and organized in a logical manner. Thesis sentences should be used in each paragraph, and points will be deducted for misspelled words and grammatical errors. Proper citations should be made when quoting directly from a source. In addition, paraphrasing often requires proper citations. The student can use the citation and bibliographic information style he/she has learned, which is usually MLA. Quotes should be used sparingly, and long quotes should always be avoided. Students needing assistance with their paper can contact the professor or the XYZ Writing Center in the library.
Students can contact me if they are having difficulty choosing a topic. Here are some possible topics for reports: the Articles of Confederation, democratic theory, the Constitutional Convention; First Amendment; Second Amendment; Fourth Amendment; Tenth Amendment; Fourteenth Amendment; Marbury v. Madison (1803); McCulloch v. Maryland (1819); Roe v. Wade (1973); Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857); Plessy v.Ferguson (1896); Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (195); Equal Pay Act (1963); Civil Rights Act of 1964; Voting Rights Act of 1965; Congressional Budget Office; General Accountability Office; Electoral College; Office of Management and Budget; National Security Council; Joint Chiefs of Staff; Regents v. Bakke (1978); Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co. (1989); Federal Reserve; Americans with Disabilities Act; U.S. economic recessions; U.S. Government Debt; U.S. Government Deficits; current U.S. Government Budget; Food Stamp Program; Medicaid; Medicare; Earned Income Tax Credit; unemployment compensation program; AFDC Program; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program; affirmative action; national health insurance; immigration policy; taxation policy; gun control; freedom of religion; Health Care Reform Act (2010). Students can also review articles in The American Political Science Review or another political science publication.
The paper should be in Times New Roman, 12 font. The paper will be due in class on March 18, 2016. I encourage each of you to start this early in the semester.
The research paper should have a brief introduction describing the topics to be covered in the paper. The body should contain appropriate headings to organize the paper and help the reader better understand what is being discussed. The writing should be clear and organized in a logical manner. Thesis sentences should be used in each paragraph, and points will be deducted for misspelled words and grammatical errors. Proper citations should be made when quoting directly from a source. In addition, paraphrasing often requires proper citations. The student can use the citation and bibliographic information style he/she has learned, which is usually MLA. Quotes should be used sparingly, and long quotes should always be avoided. Students needing assistance with their paper can contact the professor or the XYZ Writing Center in the library.
Students can contact me if they are having difficulty choosing a topic. Here are some possible topics for reports: the Articles of Confederation, democratic theory, the Constitutional Convention; First Amendment; Second Amendment; Fourth Amendment; Tenth Amendment; Fourteenth Amendment; Marbury v. Madison (1803); McCulloch v. Maryland (1819); Roe v. Wade (1973); Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857); Plessy v.Ferguson (1896); Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (195); Equal Pay Act (1963); Civil Rights Act of 1964; Voting Rights Act of 1965; Congressional Budget Office; General Accountability Office; Electoral College; Office of Management and Budget; National Security Council; Joint Chiefs of Staff; Regents v. Bakke (1978); Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co. (1989); Federal Reserve; Americans with Disabilities Act; U.S. economic recessions; U.S. Government Debt; U.S. Government Deficits; current U.S. Government Budget; Food Stamp Program; Medicaid; Medicare; Earned Income Tax Credit; unemployment compensation program; AFDC Program; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program; affirmative action; national health insurance; immigration policy; taxation policy; gun control; freedom of religion; Health Care Reform Act (2010). Students can also review articles in The American Political Science Review or another political science publication.
The paper should be in Times New Roman, 12 font. The paper will be due in class on March 18, 2016. I encourage each of you to start this early in the semester.