American Economy Issue Paper

Issue Paper Instructions You must submit two Issue Papers. The first is due October 19th; the second is due November 30th. You should submit each on Canvas by 11:59 pm on the due date as a Word or PDF file. You may submit each Issue Paper up to a week late for a reduced score. Your Issue Papers are to be a DETAILED OUTLINE on the topics you select. They must contain at least THREE FULL PAGES of information and should not be more than four to five pages long, not including the references page. See the grading rubric for suggested Microsoft Word settings. In your outlines, you need to include: (1) your topic, (2) your position on the topic, (3) economic arguments against your position, (4) economic arguments supporting your position, (5) a brief concluding paragraph, (6) at least four references NOT including the textbooks, and (7) and a short description after each reference explaining how you know it is from a reliable source. Steps (3) and (4) must be done in outline form using complete sentences (that are properly punctuated). Furthermore, you must use Paley Library databases for at least two of your references. Your references page should use the APA format and the body of your outline must include in-text citations in the same format. In-text citations should be used whenever you present statistics, research results, or new ideas from one of your references in the body of your outline. I will provide more details on these points in class. Your grade in part will be a function of the economic arguments you present both against and for your position and your economic reasoning in support of your position. For more detail, check the rubric which follows. Your tone should be that of an economic policy maker (e.g., the chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, or the President of a branch of the Federal Reserve System), or an expert economic consultant witness testifying for a client. THE POINT IS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT GET INVOLVED IN EMOTIONAL ARGUMENTS THAT ARE NOT BASED ON ECONOMIC REASONING. IMPORTANT:

• USE MULTIPLE RELIABLE SOURCES OTHER THAN THE TEXTBOOK.

• THIS IS AN ECONOMICS ISSUES CLASS. USE ECONOMICS TO SUPPORT YOUR POINTS.

• USE REAL DATA (PROPERLY CITED) TO SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENTS. You are free to choose whichever topics you would like for your two Issue Papers. The only requirements are that you can use economics to analyze the topics, and that you choose different topics for the two papers. I encourage you to talk with me about your paper topic ideas and to come to me for help throughout the writing process. Also, do not be afraid of going to the writing center for some help and guidance in putting together your Issue Papers. I have posted on Canvas examples of strong papers from past semesters so that you have an idea of what I expect of you. You should follow the format and style of these examples closely.

The American Economy (ECON 0858) Position Statement Rubric and Framework

Category Points

1 2 3 4 5 Length of Statement/Formatting

Not of sufficient length, long winded, poor format, not in outline form

Sufficient length without being long- winded or redundant, in outline form, proper margins and font.

Well organized, easy to follow, in outline form, proper margins and font.

Spelling, Grammar, and Diction

Too many errors for a University level assignment

Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. choice of diction is at a minimum level

Little or no grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors, diction is acceptable for a University level assignment

Economic Foundation Statement has nothing to do with economics

Economics plays only a supporting role in the statement

The foundation of the research is sufficient for a position statement, issues are communicated in a clear and logical manner

Understanding of Course Material

Displays no personal knowledge of the material, complete disconnect with course material

Displays minimal personal knowledge of the material, displays some connection with course material

Strong evidence of personal knowledge, strong connection between research and course material

Research Reflects no additional research

Displays research from required text only, improper citation

Displays research from required text and outside credible source, proper citations

Use of Data No data to support any argument

Some data incorporated into the statement

Ample data from credible sources cited properly (at least 4 sources: 2 from Paley Databases and description of credibility included for each source)

Highest possible score: 30 points Formatting 1.5 line spacing Suggested margins: 1” Suggested font: Times New Roman

Position Statement Framework (1) Position Statement Topic: Example: Eliminating the minimum wage

(2) My position is that the minimum wage should be eliminated (brief paragraph)

(3) Economic arguments against my position:

a. This is a complete sentence. i) This is a complete sentence. b. This is another complete sentence. c. This is another complete sentence. d. This is another complete sentence. e. This is another complete sentence.

(4) Economic arguments supporting my position:

a. This is a complete sentence. b. This is another complete sentence. c. This is another complete sentence. d. This is another complete sentence. e. This is another complete sentence.

(5) Brief concluding paragraph summarizing why you believe your position is the correct one.

(6) At least four properly cited articles NOT including the textbooks (with at least 2 coming from Paley

Databases) and a description of why each article is from a credible source