ThesisOutline

Paper Assignment: Updated Spring 2020

GOVT 2305, 2306

Evaluation: This argumentative research paper is evaluated on organization, clarity, implementation of guidelines (see below), and the quality of analysis. Pay particular attention to spelling, punctuation, grammar and format. I do not grade for the opinions you present, but I do grade for the way you present your argument and how you’ve incorporated research (source material) to support your argument.

Thesis/Outline: Create a thesis statement that clearly lists your major points in the order you will argue them. Construct an outline to determine the major points and sub points and where to include source material. A thorough outline should help develop body paragraphs and organize your paper. See the “Sample Thesis Statements and Outlines” and “Successful tips for College Writing” documents, which are in the Paper Assignment folder on Canvas.

Final Paper: Write your final draft of 6-8 pages (which does not include the cover page or works cited page), referencing AT LEAST 8 sources (see below), and use correct grammar throughout. See the “Templates for Introducing Quotations Effectively (and Other Good Advice)” and “Sample MLA” documents, which are in the Paper Assignment folder on Canvas. You are encouraged to visit the Writing Center before submitting your final draft.

Topic Suggestions: You may use a topic listed below and modify it to fit your research interests. If you choose a different topic, you must get it approved before you begin writing.

1. **Should the United States have mandatory military conscription? For whom?

2. How should the justice system treat those with suspected or confirmed mental illnesses who have committed crimes? (Should they be subject to different or modified punishments? Should they get the death penalty? Etc.)

3. Should donors or their families be compensated for organ donations? How should people be selected to receive donor organs?

4. Should genetic engineering be controlled by law? Should companies disclose when a product has been genetically modified? Should the government enforce warning labels on products whose content has been genetically modified?

5. Is Global Warming real or imagined, and what should be done to correct or prevent it?

6. What can be done to prevent police brutality (both by police and against police).

7. **How can the national debt be reduced?

8. **Does society have an obligation to protect privacy as a basic individual right?

9. **Should controversial speakers, religious student organizations, and ethnic clubs (limited to same-race membership) be allowed on college campuses?

10. How should problems with immigration be corrected?

11. How should the United States respond to refugee crises?

12. **How should the public education system be improved?

13. **What can be done to prevent terrorist attacks against American citizens?

14. Should "victimless crimes" such as prostitution and other sexual activity between consenting adults be free from governmental interference? [This topic can also be used for other illicit acts like growing/dealing/smoking marijuana, but just choose one victimless crime to focus on.]

15. **Does the American system of criminal justice need reform (i.e. mandatory sentencing, reduced sentences for non-violent crimes, improved prison conditions, private prison)?

16. To what extent should individuals be able to ask doctors in terminating their own lives (euthanasia)?

17. **What role should the federal government take in dealing with the problem of AIDS, homelessness, or other widespread social, medical, and economical problems? (Pick only one problem)

18. **How can poverty and drug dependence be reduced in Appalachia?

19. Should unapproved drugs be made available as a last resort to patients with conditions for which conventional treatments are known to be ineffective? Should citizens have access to medication approved in other countries?

20. Should the federal government provide health care for all citizens who cannot afford their own? What are the merits for universal healthcare and how would you change the Affordable Care Act?

21. **Should those receiving unemployment benefits be subjected to alcohol and drug testing?

22. Should the government hire those who are unemployed to complete essential jobs instead of giving them unemployment benefits (think Works Progress Administration)?

**-A topic I would love to read more about!

Note: I'm happy to help you with your paper. Please see me if you get stuck at any point in the writing process. Do not submit an essay that you have written in another class.

Guidelines:

1. The final paper should have a cover page with the title, your name, course number and the date of submission correctly formatted according to MLA or Chicago guidelines. Do not add this information to the second page of your paper (where you actually begin writing). Both your cover page and your works cited should be in the same document/file with your paper. If you don’t know how to include these in a single document, see me and read the Sample MLA paper.

2. 1 inch margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman font only, double-spaced. The entire paper must be formatted according to MLA or Chicago guidelines, including margins and page numbers.

3. In-text (parenthetical) citations should be made in MLA or Chicago format. Remember, it is always better to err on the side of over-citing than under-citing. Any time information is borrowed, you must cite, even if you do not directly quote the source. Each citation should include the author and the page number when available. You must provide full web links on the works cited page for each online source. Not including the introduction and conclusion, you should aim to cite at least twice per paragraph. Choose either MLA or Chicago, but do not use both formats simultaneously.

4. References should be included on an attached page in MLA or Chicago format titled “Works Cited”. You should cite no less than 8 sources.

5. Online articles obtained from JSTOR or similar databases accessible from the college library, and news sources such as The Washington Post count as an online source if found online. Please note the database/online source where you obtained these references in your Works Cited page and include full web links. Because of Covid-19 precautions, I am not requiring you to check out books from the library this semester. At least four of your eight required sources must be academic articles/peer-reviewed studies, etc. that come from one of our academic databases. Note: JStor is one of the best databases for GOVT & HIST classes.

6. Do not write in first person (I, me, my, we, us, our) or second person (you, your). Write from a third person perspective, unless it is a brief anecdote.

7. Do not rely on asking unanswered questions in your paper to establish your argument (questions that you pose to your reader and do not answer yourself)- it is weak. Instead, phrase your major points as affirmative statements. Points will be deducted per use of question.

8. Do not use block format quotations. A block quote in either MLA or Chicago format is used when the quotation is more than four full lines of text. Your paper is too short to warrant the use of block quotes. Points will be deducted per use of block quote. If you choose to include a block quote, then you must compensate by writing a longer paper per line of indented text.

Source Requirements: (8 sources minimum)

1. No less than 4 scholarly articles. These can be found in the library’s database, which you can access via Cougarweb. Because of limited access to the library, book sources are encouraged but no longer required. JSTOR is one of the easiest to navigate and best databases for this course.

2. The remaining 4 sources may be any book, periodical, audio, video, interview, etc. and online.

3. Acceptable online sources include blogs, official newspaper/magazine websites, and online database sources, such as those found in EBSCO, JSTORE, ACADEMIC SEARCH COMPLETE.

******Under no circumstances shall you use: helium.com, findarticles.com, 123paper.com, associatedcontent.com, Wikipedia.com, about.com, ehow.com, observer.com, livestrong.com, theodyssey.com, etc. These are sites with little editorial oversight and are not reliable. If you have a question on whether or not you may use a source, please email me. Full web links should be included on the Works Cited page for all online sources.

4. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, textbooks, and American documents (i.e. Constitution) MAY be used but they DO NOT count as official sources for this paper.

Submission:

The final draft will be submitted electronically via Canvas on turnitin.com. Please only submit a .doc or .docx format.

(Scroll down for Guidelines/Rubric)

Paper Checklist:

GOVT 2305 & 2306

General Formatting Guidelines: (6 points each)

______The paper should have a cover page with the title, author’s name, course number and the date of submission correctly formatted according to MLA or Chicago guidelines.

_______The entire paper must be formatted according to MLA or Chicago guidelines, including margins and page numbers. Only one inch margins, and 12 point Times New Roman or Calibri font should be used.

______ Parenthetical citations and the works cited list should follow MLA or Chicago. Each citation should include the author and the page number when possible.

______ The student has written the minimum page requirement, not including the cover page or works cited page.

______Follows all source guidelines and includes full web links for online sources.

______Each source is introduced, and the source’s credibility or expertise is established to the reader,

Organization: (5 points each)

______ Contains a clearly identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion.

______Introduction hooks the reader and conveys the significance of the topic. ______ States a clear thesis and structures paragraphs chronologically. Lists major points in thesis statement. ______ Develops only one central idea with focused topic sentences in each paragraph. ______ Uses coherent transitions between paragraphs and major points.

Content: (3 points each)

______ Provides logical, accurate, and sufficient level of detail to make complete argument. Critically evaluates/responds to the topic in an analytical, persuasive manner.

______ Avoids plagiarism; skillfully paraphrases and quotes when necessary. Provides necessary citations.

______ Avoids first person (I, me, my, we, us, our) & second person (you, your).

______ Avoids block quotes and unnecessary wording to achieve length.

_______Avoids use of questions to construct an argument.

_______ Replaced any small, basic wording with more complex vocabulary. Does not use the word “thing” and other filler words. _______Employs a mature, college-level vocabulary (varied, sophisticated word choice).

Mechanics: (6 points each)

_______ Avoids errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and word choice. _______Avoids errors like fused sentences and sentence fragments. _______Demonstrates mastery of clause coordination and connection.

Revision

_______ A printed a copy of the paper was read out loud and checked for errors.

_______ Someone else proofread the paper _______ Student has consulted the Writing Center and will receive extra credit points.

Name:

Section:

Paper Rubrics:

GOVT 2305 & 2306

General Formatting Guidelines: (6 points each)

______The paper should have a cover page with the title, author’s name, course number and the date of submission correctly formatted according to MLA or Chicago guidelines.

_______The entire paper must be formatted according to MLA or Chicago guidelines, including margins and page numbers. Only one inch margins, and 12 point Times New Roman or Calibri font should be used.

______ Parenthetical citations and the works cited list should follow MLA or Chicago. Each citation should include the author and the page number when possible.

______ The student has written the minimum page requirement, not including the cover page or works cited page.

______Follows all source guidelines and includes full web links for online sources.

______Each source is introduced, and the source’s credibility or expertise is established to the reader,

Organization: (5 points each)

______ Contains a clearly identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion.

______Introduction hooks the reader and conveys the significance of the topic. ______ States a clear thesis and structures paragraphs chronologically. Lists major points in thesis statement. ______ Develops only one central idea with focused topic sentences in each paragraph. ______ Uses coherent transitions between paragraphs and major points.

Content: (3 points each)

______ Provides logical, accurate, and sufficient level of detail to make complete argument. Critically evaluates/responds to the topic in an analytical, persuasive manner.

______ Avoids plagiarism; skillfully paraphrases and quotes when necessary. Provides necessary citations.

______ Avoids first person (I, me, my, we, us, our) & second person (you, your).

______ Avoids block quotes and unnecessary wording to achieve length.

_______Avoids use of questions to construct an argument.

_______ Replaced any small, basic wording with more complex vocabulary. Does not use the word “thing” and other filler words. _______Employs a mature, college-level vocabulary (varied, sophisticated word choice).

Mechanics: (6 points each)

_______ Avoids errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, paragraphing, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and word choice. _______Avoids errors like fused sentences and sentence fragments. _______Demonstrates mastery of clause coordination and connection.

Total Grade: _______ Comments: