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unit.1.internationalpolicy.memo.pdf

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Engl 20803 Lacefield

Unit 1: International Policy Memo (15% of Grade)

For this assignment, you will compose a 2-3 page, single-spaced international policy memo to the President of the

United States. You can choose any current topic, but it has to be related to U.S. foreign policy, an international issue, a

military issue, and/or the U.S. relationship with another country. You could also address an international problem that

the U.S. currently has no stake in and make an argument for why and how the U.S. should get involved.

A. Your memo must have the following elements. (This is what your outline should also include.) If your topic requires

a different format with different elements, you should clear it with me first. If your memo does not include all

elements below as described below, you will get a 5-10 point deduction for every missing or incomplete element.

I. Heading with subject, sender, and recipient in proper format

II. Abstract (also known as a summary) at the beginning. Your summary should be short--no more than ¼ of a page. You

must list your final recommendation in this section—it is your thesis.

III. Background. THIS IS THE ONLY PART THAT IS OPTIONAL. If you need a background section, this section should be no

more than 1/2 of a page. If your topic has relevant history that is not part of the “problem” section per se, then you

probably need a background section.

IV. Discussion of the problem/issue, with several subsidiary points as sub-headings.

V. Brief introduction of 2-3 possible solutions, with pros/cons for each (the good and bad results you expect to get from

this course of action). Use sub-headings.

VI. Implementation strategy (specific steps involved in your solution—how to make it happen); You might also mention

specific ways to counteract or mitigate any expected negative effects listed in the earlier section. Use subheadings for

your steps.

B. Your memo will be graded based on the following criteria:

1. Adherence to the memo format as provided in the list above, with all information required as specified above.

*You must have a full 2 pages, single-spaced, with no triple/quadruple spaces as “filler.” A great memo will probably

have 3 pages but no more than 4 pages tops. I will deduct points for less than 2 full pages and more than 4 pages.

2. Proper writing style: professional language (polished, objective, unemotional, no slang); clear, succinct, phrasing

(avoid wordiness, vagueness, empty “filler” and awkward phrasing; avoidance of the first-person “I” voice; avoidance of

grammar/punctuation/sentence errors--stuff we’ve specifically reviewed in class, but also any basic stuff as well.

3. TYPOS ARE A BIG DEDUCTION, ESPECIALLY MORE THAN TWO. AFTER TWO TYPOS, I ATTACH AN EXTRA FIVE POINTS

DEDUCTION PER TYPO, WHICH MEANS 7 POINTS PER TYPO IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN TWO.

4. Evidence of a well-rounded investigation and analysis of the topic, with attention provided to

the primary aspects of the topic and an adequate discussion of possible solution(s) {as much as

possible in limited space with page-number restriction}

5. Use of headings as well as sub-headings as appropriate—the goal is to make your memo easy to skim and easily

digestible to the reader

6. Inclusion of endnotes (this does not count toward the page limit) with at least four credible

sources listed. No works cited page is needed since you are using endnotes. For this assignment, you should include

endnotes for every section in which you cite statistic and quotes or paraphrases from sources

7. Consistency and an easy-to-skim format. Consistency in format, spacing, punctuation, capitalization, etc. is especially

important. Lack of consistency makes your memo seem sloppy.

Tips/Additional Advice for Memo A) Citation: Chicago-Style: This format is where you use either footnotes or endnotes. For this assignment, I prefer endnotes. For specific instructions on Chicago-Style citation, go to this website: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/05/ In order to insert an endnote, you should look for either the "References" or "Insert" tab at the top of your essay in Microsoft Word. Then click on "Insert Endnote" if that's an option. (It may be "Insert Citation" on your computer.) Understand that because this is your first assignment and we haven't discussed citation hardly at all, I'm not going to be strict about this aspect of your memo. I just want to see that you are using some citations (especially in obvious situations like use of direct quotes, statistics, etc.) in a consistent manner. B) No “Pros” and “Cons”: These two words are not professional wording--it's more like slang. If you choose to have sub-headings of that nature, use words like "Advantages"/"Disadvantages" or something similar. C) No Wordiness/Slang/Filler/Awkward Phrasing: Ask yourself if your memo really reads like something you'd turn in to the President of the United States if you worked in the State Department, for example. D) Headings and sub-headings (and bullet points if appropriate, but bullet points are optional): On this particular page, for example, the heading is “Tips/Additional Advice for Memo” at the top, and then each letter (A/B/C/D/E) and first sentence is a sub-heading. Your headings and subheadings should be left-justified.

E) Typos: Typos can be any of the following types of errors: obvious spelling errors in simple words; necessary

missing words obviously left out; random extra words clearly not intended to be there; obviously inconsistent

formatting, font, or capitalization…Basically stupid, obvious mistakes. These reflect very badly on your writing,

so I will count off two (2) points for every typo, and I will count off an additional five (5) points per typo once

you hit three (3) typos because more than two demonstrate clear sloppiness and lack of proofreading. (In the

real world, documents with lots of typos often get thrown in the trash.) So if you have three typos, your grade

will start at a 79 before any other deductions are given.

Updated Schedule and Due Dates: I have made a few changes, including bumping the Unit 1 due dates and Quiz 2

back a class period

5 Examination and discussion of sample memos in class; Writing instruction and exercises; Outline instruction;

Homework: Research topic and develop an outline with a bibliography

7 Outline and bibliography due today: You will sign up online for specific timeslots and you will show

up in groups of four to workshop your outlines and meet individually with me. I will post this info soon. If you

cannot make it, you must still email your outline to me to get credit, otherwise you will get a zero.

Homework: Begin rough draft; (You can also begin reading for Quiz 2 due Feb. 21 if you wish)

12 In-class writing instruction and group exercises

14 Rough draft of memo due today: Again, you will sign up online for specific timeslots to meet with a small group

of classmates and with me. If you cannot make it, you must still email your draft to me to receive credit.

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/05/

Homework: Finish final draft of Unit 1 memo due this Tuesday, Feb. the 19th ; Read and study for Quiz 2 this Thursday,

Feb. 21

19 Final draft of Unit 1 memo due (hard copy in class); Introduction to Unit 2; Homework: Read and study for quiz

next class

21 Quiz 2; Brief lecture beforehand—you will have an hour to complete your quiz

Possible Sources—might be good places to start your research at least

1. https://www.realclearworld.com 2. https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com 3. https://www.realcleardefense.com 4. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/foreignpolicy 5. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/world/ 6. https://www.reddit.com/r/foreignpolicy/

Possible Topics: You are NOT limited to these. Some of these might be too general—you can use them as starting

points and then narrow your focus to a more specific problem/issue.

US-Iran tensions

US breaking treaty with Iran

US-China tensions, especially relating to trade deficits and tariffs

Chinese-Taiwan tensions

Problematic Chinese influence in Africa