Writing Assignment

You are to write a current event paper, approximately 750 words in length, consisting of a summary and analysis of a current event having to do with American government and/or politics. You must cite a minimum of five references (sources) in the paper and include a works cited page at the end of the assignment to provide full bibliographic information for each of the references that was cited in the text of the paper.

Current event papers must be formatted according to MLA style, for papers with no title page (see the following link to access an online resource for MLA style: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/). In addition, please use Courier New 12 point as the paper’s font, and ensure the assignment is double-spaced. Essays NOT double-spaced will be penalized by ONE letter grade. You must also indent the first line of each new paragraph.

Please remember these rules of grammar: (1) a sentence cannot be more than about four lines before it becomes a run-on sentence, and (2) a paragraph cannot be longer than about half-a-page, and certainly cannot be longer than a page.

***This essay is due SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11*** if you wish to receive full-credit for the essay. Essays submitted after February 11 will be penalized by one letter grade for every week they are late. Students must contact me within three days of the due date of the writing assignment if they wish to request an extension for the essay.

ESSAYS WITH POOR GRAMMAR, PUNCUTATION, AND/OR SPELLING, AND/OR POORLY WRITTEN EXPLAINED WILL BE PENALIZED.

The current event paper should have the following elements:

• Provide a thorough, but brief, summary of the political issue. An understanding of the issue should be developed by reading the articles uncovered during research for the assignment. The information provided in the summary will lay the foundation for you to react and respond to (analyze) the political issue. Be sure to properly cite within the text (according to MLA style) any information that you obtained from one of your sources. Citations must be provided, even for paraphrased information.
• Present your perspective on the political issue. Think critically about the topic discussed in the articles and clearly express your thoughts about it in writing. Consider eight standards for critical thinking (Paul and Elder, 2103): clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, and fairness. Ask questions, such as
  1. How can I validate the accuracy of my statement?
  2. How is this information relevant?
  3. How does my conclusion address the complexities of the issue?
  4. What is another interpretation or viewpoint of the issue?
  5. Does my conclusion follow from the data and/or statements I have provided?

Grading will be based on the following criteria:

• Critical Thinking Skills: the extent to which you have engaged in critical thinking, innovation, and inquiry of a political issue, and has demonstrated analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information related to the political issue;
• Communication Skills: the extent to which you have effectively expressed ideas in writing;
• Personal Responsibility: the ability you have to develop opinions related to a political topic, and recognize the consequences of those choices and decisions;
• Social Responsibility: the ability you have to demonstrate civic responsibility and engagement by developing an understanding and perspective of a political issue that affects regional, national, and potentially global communities.