Writing Assignment 1

You are required to submit your paper to the Writing Lab prior to submitting it to me. Once I grade your paper, the grade will be final.

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.

Students should use New Times Roman or Arial 12 point as the paper’s font, double space the text, and create one inch margins on all four sides of the page. In addition, the assignment should be formatted according to MLA style.  Please go to here before starting your paper:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xAc4yZ8VSA. See attached format.

All papers must be submitted to the Writing Lab prior to turning it in to me.  Submit your papers a minimum of 48 hours to the Writing Lab, before it is due.

To get to the Writing Lab:

1.  Look at the top of your screen.

2.  Click on “Organizations and Tutoring”

3.  Click on “The Writing Lab”

4.  The Writing Lab needs a minimum of 72 hours to review your paper before getting it back to you.  Ensure to plan accordingly since your paper is due at the end of week 6.

5.  Employ all changes the Writing Lab has suggested.  You are welcome to submit your paper more than once to the Writing Lab (I encourage you to do this).

6.  The Writing Lab does NOT check for plagiarism.  You may ask the Writing Lab to check however, it is your responsibility to ensure that all of your work is properly cited.

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:

Criteria	Exemplary 16-20	Accomplished 11-15	Developing 6-10	Total
Purpose/Audience
Thesis and Support
Organization
Style
Mechanic
Total

Submission Instructions:

Complete your assignment using word-processing software such as MS Word, Open Office (download free software at http://www.openoffice.org/), or other per course requirements. Submit your assignment by selecting the title link, browsing to, and attaching your saved file. Make sure to select SUBMIT. You may view your posting both on this page and under My Grades (available under Tools).

Label your paper with Last Name and 1.  Example: “Smith1” Files must be submitted as an rtf. file.