General/ Important Information:
Students will choose a
controversial topic in American Government, present the pros and cons of the chosen topic
(supported by cites), and provide an analysis of the subject with an opinion/conclusion. The
analysis must present a critical review of the topic as well as a critical analysis of the sources used.
Options for critical topic analysis include, but are not limited to, liberal/conservative ideology,
media coverage, political parties, institutions, political participants, and details of the actual topic
(refer to SLO’s for areas of analysis). Source analysis is based on a critical review of the
articles/citations used for the paper.
Students MUST use the following publications as sources (minimum 1 article from each
source: 3 of the 5 required citations) for their papers: Mother Jones, the National Review, One
Government Publication (US or state), or One Interest Group Publication; additional cite choices
are at the discretion of the student.
If a website is used as a required cite, it
must be from a reputable publication, institution, or association. Non-reputable websites will not
be counted toward required sources. The required textbooks, dictionaries, Wikipedia, or any
encyclopedia or standard reference volume may not be used as a required cite (reference material
may be used as additional citations, and must be included in the bibliography)
Instruction for essay:
Papers must be a minimum of five (5) pages of text in length (7 pages max.) plus a standard bibliography of no fewer than 5 reputable sources. Any paper submitted without a complete bibliography will receive no credit for the assignment.
Papers must be written in the following format: ½ page introduction and facts, 1-page
pros of the topic (properly cited from research), 1-page cons of the topic (properly cited from research), 1-page source analysis (a discussion of the positives and weaknesses of your sources), 1-page
subject/topic analysis (choose 2 from the list below) and ½ page conclusion (including author’s
position on the topic).
The Analysis section of the paper should include a one (1) page source analysis where the
student critically analyzes 2 – 3 of the sources used in writing the paper; AND a (1) page topic
analysis using two of the following: 1. ideology (liberal and conservative), 2. media/source
treatment of the topic, 3. institutions, or 4. political participants, to further analyze the topic beyond
pro/con.
The Research paper, including the bibliography, Must be typewritten, double-spaced, with 1-inch
margins, 12-point Times New Roman.
Topic: Is gun control an effective way to control crime?
Pages: 5