Mobley, Government 2301, Fall 2010 - Instructions for the writing enhanced segment of this course.
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The first paper will be due Thursday, October 7, the second on Thursday, November 4. You must have your topic
approved by me-do not skip this step…there will only be one paper/writer per topic. Be wary of choosing a topic
that might be too large for the space allotted. Think of this writing segment as a two part exam!
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Papers will only be accepted at the beginning of class on the due date. Don’t forget to bring them to class! This
means, have them printed and stapled with the cover sheet, when you arrive. If you do not, then your paper will
immediately be considered as one day late and will be lowered one letter grade, and will drop another letter grade
for the following day (not class period). Papers turned in later than the following day will be given a zero.
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Each paper will be worth 50 points. This will meet the writing requirements for the course. The two paper grades
will be averaged together for one-third of your total grade. Take your time and consider your work.
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You are required and must ALWAYS cite any information used within your paper and gathered from another
source than yourself. In other words, this means copying your writing from any source is “just grounds” for a failing
grade. Don’t do it—use your own words and if you are quoting…cite your work, period.
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Use the MLA format. If you are unsure, look it up-and then double check. This is college writing and your work will
be considered thusly. Check your sentences structure, grammar, and spelling. Proof read and consider your work
critically – do not just spell-check.
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Give me facts in a concise manner from both sides of the topic. You are required to use serious justifiable sources.
Sources that are obviously biased and not based in honest fact and journalism will not be considered a valid and
legitimate source. (this includes Wikipedia) I want at least four (4) different, credible sources.
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The final segment of your writing will be your opinion. Your opinion must be based on your facts (No more than 2
sentences should be required for your opinion).
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I will grade your writing based on form, content and your presentation of the facts – from BOTH sides of the
argument, as well as your literary citation work.
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Pick your topic as we discussed in class. Do not pick the same topic for both papers. Your topic must come from a
“political current event” or a “current Supreme Court case”. Because we are studying US government, I am
looking for a national topic. Be creative and find something provocative. Try to use something besides obvious
overworked issues – try to locate something important, but that “the people” are not paying attention to. Think of
yourself as trying to inform and impact public opinion (both sides of course) on a topic that perhaps isn’t on the
radar, yet.
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The point of this assignment is to help understand that we are using skills necessary to develop concise research and
writing; and to mirror the difficulty in the formulation of policy/legislation for consideration by Congress.
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TOPICS NOT ALLOWED FOR PAPER: DO NOT pick a topic that will include any issue of religion –
remember we are maintaining the wall of separation of church and state. Specifically--Abortion/Roe v Wade
or the Death Penalty (or any aspect of these two topics…) CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE OR YOU WILL
RECEIVE AN “F” – NO EXCEPTIONS
Set-up your paper as follows:
 You must have a cover sheet with your name, class level and period, date; and then the topic of your writing. Simply
staple your finished paper together.
 Your margins should be 1” at both the left and the right—.5” at both the top and the bottom. Use Times Roman, 12
font, double spaced.
 The paper should be no less than one and one-half pages long and no more than two pages in length. Ignoring these
parameters will lower your grade.