Write a 5-7 pages essay about PSCI John Locke, what is political, legislative power and constitution. Citing at least 3 sources provided.

Brainstorm

Research Question

· You get to frame the extent of the research question

· What is included?

· What is left out?

· How you frame your question can radically change the results you find

· Do not begin with the thesis/claim

· What biases or assumptions (good or bad) am I bringing into the question?

Development

· What have other scholars said about the subject?

· What have they left out?

· What have they overlooked?

· What can I add?

· Anticipate counterarguments and other claims

Essay

· Introduction

· Introduce topic

· Be specific and contextual

· Avoid sweeping generalizations

· Introduce claim (thesis)

· Thesis should be narrowly focused and specific

· Do not try to cover too much or claim more than you can prove

· Thesis should be direct and clear

· Thesis should be debatable

· Otherwise you are not making a claim but stating the facts

· Organization

· Each body paragraph should have specific evidence

· Historical data

· Legal research

· Textual analysis

· Engage with the existing scholarship

· Give credit where credit is due

· Introduce a contrary view

· There should be a logical flow to arrangement of your essay as a whole

· Build up your argument

· Conclusion

· Don’t just repeat your thesis

· Explain the significance of your topic

· End memorably

· Link your argument to current events

· Provide a salient quotation or recount an anecdote

· Editing

· Be concise; edit ruthlessly

· Eliminate repetition

· Combine sentences and vary syntactical patterns

· Be as PRECISE as possible in your diction or word choice

· Use active verbs when possible

· Check for spelling errors or faulty comma use

Prompts

1) According to John Locke, what is political power and where does it come from? What are the just limits of the use of legislative power? How did this understanding influence the Constitution?