Writing a Memoranda/Case Study

Senior American Government

Extended Project: Congressional Memorandum A great deal of the American Governmental and Legal system is based on Case Studies, also known as Congressional Memoranda. These are attempts to research, analyze and develop an understanding of complex issues and develop a proposed/suggested Congressional action or solution. Grant Proposals, Congressional Legislation and legal briefs follow the format of a Case Study.

Most Memoranda require Congressional aides (students in this case) to answer an open-ended question or develop a solution to an open-ended problem/issue with multiple potential solutions.

A form of qualitative descriptive research, the Memoranda/case study looks intensely at an individual or small participant pool, drawing conclusions only about that participant or group and only in that specific context. Researchers do not focus on the discovery of a universal, generalizable truth, nor do they typically look for cause-effect relationships; instead, emphasis is placed on very narrow exploration, description and solutions[footnoteRef:1] [1: Colorado State University “Writing@ CSU” The Institute for Learning and Teaching]

In this assignment, students are asked to be legislative staff members the specific Congressional Representative of their District, who have been asked to provide the Congressional Member with a Congressional Memorandum/Case Study on a particular political issue that coming up for vote and/or a constituent Town Hall Meeting. Students have 3 weeks to research and prepare case study.

Guidelines for Writing the Memoranda/Case Study

In the most straightforward application, the presentation of the case study establishes a framework for analysis. Utilize these guidelines as you address your chosen issue:

· Who is your Congressional representative? What is the demographic of your district?

· What is the issue? Who are the significant Congressional advocates? Detractors?

· What similar legislation is in the legal ‘pipeline’?

· What is the goal of the analysis?

· What is the context of the problem?

· What key relevant historical facts/written or oral arguments should be considered?

· What alternatives are available to the decision-maker?

· What would you recommend — and why?

· Issues to choose from:

Immigration Reform – Mexico Border or Refugees from war torn Middle East ( not both); Trans Pacific Partnership (rules for global trade); Federal Minimum Wage Increase; Criminal Justice/Policing Reform

Format for the Case Study: See Harvard prototype for additional assistance!!!!!

Cover Page Table of Contents

· 1-2 PAGES Executive Summary: What is the specific argument that you are affirming, WHO ARE THE PRINCIPAL ANTAGONISTS: CONGRESSIONAL, DEPARTMENT, AGENCY LEADERS-THINK TANKS-INTEREST GROUP.

· 1 -2 PAGES: WHAT IS THE RECENT/RELEVANT LEGISLATIVE AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY OF THE ISSUE?

· 2 PAGES (or More) : WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT PROPOSALS AND HOW DO THOSE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE? WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF EACH PROPOSAL? That is; what is the: Application: How does the legislative policy specifically apply given the specific facts of the concern at issue?

What are the Concurring Opinion(s) Reasoning : What is the reasoning of each separate concurrence of the issue?

What are the Dissenting Opinion(s) Reasoning: What is the reasoning of each separate dissenting opinion of the issue?

· 1-2 PAGES: BASED ON YOUR RESEARCH AND FACT-FINDING IDENTIFY RECOMMENDSTIONS AND DEFEND THE PROPOSAL YOU ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT.

Paper Criteria Due Dates Point Values

Potential Topics Selected/abstract submitted	November 9, 2016	10 POINTS
- Final Draft-footnotes, bibliography and title page	December 7, 2016	200 points

RESEARCH: ( Encyclopedias and textbooks do not count as a source!)

You will be required to cite at least four (4) sources in your case study. You are required to use at least two (2) different types of sources. While you may use encyclopedia and textbooks to help you select a topic and get your research started, neither is appropriate as one of your four (4) sources! Original Primary Documents are highly encouraged (aka –demanded)

CITATION OF REFERENCES: ( Consult an MLA Handbook for any questions on citation…)

Your paper MUST contain reference citations and a Works Cited. Failure to include either or both of these may be considered evidence of plagiarism. You must cite all the sources listed in your Works Cited. You must cite any and all material derived from an outside source. Direct quotes and paraphrases must be cited, but you must also cite ALL MATERIAL THAT DID NOT COME STRAIGHT OUT OF YOUR HEAD! This includes, but is not limited to:

· Quotes,

· paraphrases,

· statistics,

· sentiments,

· ideas, etc.

MLA FOOTNOTE CITATION: (Consult Footnote: How To: brochure: guide handed out in class and on line)

Footnotes, a type of citation format, are most often used for history and philosophy papers. Footnotes are used to give credit to sources of any material borrowed, summarized or paraphrased. They are intended to refer readers to the exact pages of the works listed/consulted in the Works Cited section. The footnote takes the form of a superscripted number, just after a paraphrased piece of information. Subsequently, a cross-reference to this number is inserted at the bottom of the same page. Footnotes must be listed numerically and consecutively, both in your essay and in your Footnote citation. Footnote numbers must be superscripted. In your text, add a superscripted number immediately after the quote or reference cited with no space.

· The Footnote citations must be added at the foot or bottom of the SAME page where you have cited the sources.

· All first Footnote references must be cited in full.

· Subsequent references of the same work may be shortened to include only the author's last name and page number.

  LATE PAPER PROCESS POLICY: (Keep it simple- DON’T BE LATE!) If you use the nights you are given to work on your paper and pace yourself, you should not have a problem meeting the deadlines. If you fall behind, don’t hide from me- seek me out immediately!