Paper details:
Assignment: To write a successful claim of policy essay on one topic below1. Examine the issue critically, take a position, and develop a reasoned argument in support of your position. Remember a Policy Claim takes something from the status quo and argues for a change. A thesis, or policy claim, should either state the word “should” in it or it should be implied. Problems in need of solutions can be policy claim arguments as well. Though you may define the problem (which is a fact claim) the focus of the essay on solutions will be a policy claim arguing for a change in the status quo. A reasoned argument will involve using current sources and evaluating the material for accuracy, relevance, and authority. Your essay will present an argument which includes the opponent’s views which your paper will either accommodate or refute. Your essay should be 6+ pages long. Failure to meet page requirements will result in a loss of points on the final paper.
o TOPICS (Choose One) o How are social networking sites affecting human interaction?
o What is the role of sex and violence in popular culture? o What are the ethical costs of putting food on our tables? o Is Academic integrity on our college campuses under assault o What biases shape the news that we see and hear? o Are limits on Freedom of Speech ever justified? o How far will we go to change our body image? o In the world of medicine, who decides what is ethical? o Militarization of Police? o Civil Forfeiture Laws ? o Research the 1992 riots. What led up to them? What should have been done to prevent them from happening? What should be put in place now in light of recent events. o Social Responsibility: Do businesses have an obligation to society?
o Ethics and Science. What ethics should science be held accountable for if any?
o Should college athletes be paid?
o Citizen Journalism
o Free Speech
o One of your choosing to be approved by me when the proposal statement is due.
Development Requirements 1. A clearly stated position in your policy statement which should be underlined in the final essay. 2. A definition of the issue (or background of the issue) if it is necessary, which should appear early in the research essay 3. A minimum of two counter-arguments which are either refuted or accommodated. 4. Evidence which is current, evaluated for accuracy, and represents the majority of authorities and opinions out there on the subject.
5. A conclusion that avoids summary. It should clearly wrap up your issue, reaffirm your thesis, and leave us with a statement of significance. 6. Follow strict MLA manuscript format and documentation format for research papers. 7. Include a Works Cited page which appears at the end of the essay and is not included in the page requirements of the assignment.
Source Requirements 1. Information used in this paper should come from the Chaffey College databases . You may find the Opposing Viewpoints database helpful in your research especially as you try to choose an argument you wish to make. Other databases might include JSTOR, Academic Search Premier, CQ Researcher, ERIC, and Ebooks. 2. Works Cited should have a minimum of 5 sources on it. 4 of them should be from Chaffey library databases. 3. You may use no more than two internet sources and be sure they are carefully evaluated. 4. You may use other sources of information as well including current print sources– government documents, personal interviews, DVD’s, etc. You will be graded on your variety of sources as well as the accuracy of the citations.
Recommended Reading Structure of Elements reading: Chapter 5: Claim of Policy pg. 164 – 167 Chapter 5: Stating your Claim Review pg. 171 Sketching an Outline for research paper pg. 343; CourseReserves Policy outline handout Using sentence forms to write about arguments: pg. 116-119 Readings from Structure assigned in syllabus
Writing a Proposal Assignment 1. What do you plan to write about 2. Why have you chosen the topic? 3. What do you want your reader to learn or understand from your essay? 4. What obstacles or challenges might you face as you write? How will you overcome those? 5. When and where will you write the essay?
be sure to write everything in your own words and to site the work cited in the text and the words be in a college level and if you use anything from the net be sure to quote it.
