U.S. Government and Politics
Research Paper / Outline
Congratulations! You have been hired as a policy advisor to a new member of Congress. You
don’t always agree with this Representative’s positions on issues, but it will give you the
opportunity to get directly involved in the politics and influence of Congress.
Your first big assignment in this new job is to research and summarize a policy issue your new
boss anticipated would be important in Congress. You are to become expert on this issue, able to
answer (or find answers to) questions from the representatives or other staffers. You are expected
to provide valuable information to your representative before he/she addresses Congress.
This presentation is your chance to demonstrate your knowledge, skill, and political savvy. It is
not primarily a place to push your own agenda (although your own opinions should be part of the
conclusion).
The policy paper should not only be accurate and complete, but it should be interesting, clear, and
easily understood by your representative and the rest of the staff. (e.g. Graphic, handouts, or maps
will probably help enhance your paper. Above all, the policy paper should clearly address the
politics of the issue and tradeoffs (cost/benefit) in taking a position.
You will have to prepare only a minimum of paper work. At the time you make your
presentation, the Representative will want
1. A written summary (outline). (20 pts.)
2. A verbal presentation of the policy in which you studied; including background on the issue,
current status, and recommendation (15 pts.) – Presentation should be approximately 10-15 min.
in length.
3. A bibliography
3. A press release describing your recommendation of the position you believe the Representative
should take on the issue (include in your summary) – 3 pts. As part of summary
4. Two questions your representative will likely be asked regarding the position they take
(include in the summary) – 2 pts. As part of summary
Minimal questions to address in your policy outline (If, while doing your research, you find other
that your boss should consider, make sure you discuss them.):
 Issue: (5 points)
- What is the history of this issue/policy (inside and outside Congress)?
- How did this topic become a political issue?
- What are the controversies?
The Law:
- What laws apply now to the issue?
- What, if any, decisions have the Federal courts made on this issue?
 Public Politics: (5 points)
- What local and national groups have taken positions on this issue?
- What are those positions? (e.g., Interest group reaction to conflict in Gaza)
- How do those groups describe the issue? (i.e. What language and
symbols do they use? See Chapter 9 in Wilson’s text.)
- What are basic arguments behind the various positions on the issue?
- What does the mass media say about the issue?
 Bureaucratic Politics: (5 points)
- What departments or agencies do now or will deal with this issue?
- Is the bureaucratic culture there favorable or opposed to dealing with this issue?
- How will that (those) parts of the bureaucracy react to your proposed policy?

Cost / Benefit: (5 points)
- What are the costs and benefits to your constituents and the country as a whole
of the current policy?
- What are the costs and benefits to the USA and your policy (if your policy proposal is
 Recommendation: Press Release (As part of summary)
- What are your suggestions?
- What position do you think the representative should take?
- Why?

Two Questions: Asked of representative (As part of the summary)
Possible Websites to Browse To Get Started:
Whitehouse.gov (current administration policy including speeches/radio addresses)
Foreignaffairs.org
Heritage.org (conservative think tank)
Americanprogress.org (liberal think tank)

Any other numerous publications by organizations and websites that offer information
and views regarding your issue.
DUE DATE (For Presentation): TBA (After the AP Exam)