Pols 001 Research Paper Guidelines

You have two options for this research paper. You may analyze one issue in detail that you believe is a pressing problem in American Politics or you may compare the positions of one presidential candidate with George Bush on at least three different campaign issues. If you like, you may choose a candidate from one of the third parties. Regardless of which option you choose, your must assimilate your views on the issue/issues you are addressing. In the first option, you must articulate what your views are on the issue you are analyzing and why you feel as you do. In the second option, you must explain which candidate you believe has the more compelling positions on the issues you are addressing.

1. Construct a title page, with a creative title that captures the essence of the paper, including, perhaps, its point of view. Of course, include your name, class, date, etc.

2. In seven to eight pages, develop your paper topic. Introduce it, develop your arguments and offer evidence to support your views about the issues and/or candidates' positions you address. If possible, also try to recognize the weaknesses of the arguments you address. What part of your paper or the positions and issues you address might someone disagree with. Do you believe they are wrong? Finally, offer a conclusion that clearly restates your views about the issue or candidates' positions and why your views are important.

3. Be sure to include footnotes or endnotes and a bibliography. I have excerpts of a good style manual compiled on reserve in my Pols 020 course that will show you how to properly construct these necessary elements of any research paper. Another good way to learn it to just copy the style used in many textbooks you have for many of your classes. Footnotes will refer to material you researched and are actually using in some way, whether it is a quote, a paraphrase or even just an idea presented in the source. Bibliographies contain a list of all the sources you examined, even if you do not ultimately use them when you write your paper. If you want your readers to take you seriously because you have learned something valuable and want to inform them, give them appropriate footnotes and bibliographies so they can better understand your research process.

4. When you research your topic, I expect that you will examine several sources at a minimum. For this paper, you should use at least six sources. When using the internet for research, be very careful about the credibility of many web page sources. Often they do not meet the literary and scholarly rigor that is required for a written piece to be published in journals, magazines and newspapers. Remember, you are learning from the sources you use so for your brain's sake, select credible sources.

1. The process of researching and writing papers of any kind require several steps. You should write a first draft and then in successive drafts, carefully edit its content, spelling, grammar, and syntax and paragraph development. Read your final paper out loud to see how the words on paper sound. You will be amazed at how much more apparent writing errors are when you hear them spoken.

2. The paper must be in the 7-8 page range, not including the title page and bibliography. The paper is worth 40 points. If you do not include an appropriate title page, notation and bibliography, you may receive up to a five point penalty from the paper's grade. If you are not sure how to construct footnotes/endnotes and a bibliography, refer to one of the style manuals at the bookstore or the library or peruse any number of textbooks you own to see how these authors develop these two attribution sections (footnotes and bibliography). The five style points are also influenced by how thorough your editing is. Typos, poor grammar and syntax may reduce your style grade some. Granted, five points are not terribly punitive but it is enough to make a difference in your grade if you do not meet these stylistic standards.