LAST NAME: _____________________ FIRST: ___________ COURSE #: _______SECTION:_______WORDS:_______
PLEASE ATTACH TO THE FRONT OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER OR POWERPOINT 6-SLIDE HANDOUT
Detailed Outline containing A) Thesis Statements, B) Topics Sentences for each paragraph, C) Evidence and Support Main
Points and Sub Points for each paragraph
CA Legislative Bill: Handwrite your VERBATIM version of “How a Bill Becomes Law in California” with full details, including
word by word, and hand drawn graphics from How A Bill Becomes Law in CA.pdf found in the class website.
Clean Plagiarism Report http://smallseotools.com/plagiarism-checker/
RESEARCH PAPER
RUBRIC
STRONG
ADEQUATE
LIMITED
DEFICIENT
MISSING
9 Pts
8 Pts
6 Pts
4 Pts
2 Pts
0 Pts
THESIS STATEMENT &
TOPIC SENTENCES
OUTSTANDING
STRONG
ADEQUATE
LIMITED
DEFICIENT
MISSING
When reading only the
thesis statement and
the subsequent topic
sentences, the paper
makes logical sense.
Thesis Statement
clearly provides an
excellent road map
to the whole paper.
The topic
sentences assert
ideas which
support the thesis
statement.
Thesis Statement
is detailed and
provides a decent
road map. The
topic sentences
assert ideas which
connect to the
thesis statement.
Thesis
Statement
merely hints at
the content of
the paper. The
topic sentences
merely hints at
ideas.
Thesis Statement
merely hints at
the content of
the whole paper.
Topic Sentences
can improve.
Thesis statement
lacks sufficient
details about the
paper. The topic
sentences do not
connect ideas in
the paragraphs.
OUTSTANDING
STRONG
ADEQUATE
LIMITED
DEFICIENT
Addresses all
elements of the
prompt. Correctly
addresses all
questions in a
good manner.
Examples are
clear and
relevant.
Addresses all
elements of the
prompt.
Examples are
offered but
without context.
Information is
not connected
clearly.
Addresses some
elements of the
prompt. Lacks
supporting
examples.
Information is
not connected.
Addresses
limited elements
of the prompt.
OUTSTANDING
STRONG
ADEQUATE
LIMITED
DEFICIENT
Supports assertions
with researchable
and verifiable
evidence from
reputable sources.
Supports
assertions with
researchable and
verifiable
evidence from
reputable
sources.
Advances claims
with little
consideration or
linkage.
Advances
unsubstantiated
claims are
without proper
consideration or
linkage.
OUTSTANDING
STRONG
ADEQUATE
LIMITED
DEFICIENT
Generally
demonstrates
control of the
conventions of
standard written
English but may
have some
errors.
Contains
occasional major
errors or
frequent minor
errors in
grammar, usage,
or mechanics,
Contains serious
errors in
grammar, usage,
or mechanics
that frequently
obscure
meaning.
ADEQUATE
LIMITED
Support and evidence
are clear and relevant,
and reflect an
excellent depth of
readings and lecture
materials.
EVIDENCE AND
SUPPORT STRUCTURE
Each paragraph should
have 4 supporting
evidence. Reflects a
thoughtful structure.
GRAMMAR & FOCUS
Demonstrating
mastery of English
grammar. Uses 3rd
person objective
formal voice and
active voice.
CITING SOURCES &
CLASS MATERIALS
Paper integrated and
cited at least 5
scholarly/reputable
sources (Author, Year)
within the text of the
paper.
COMMENTS &
COMMON
ISSUES
Addresses all
elements of the
prompt. Correctly
addresses all
questions in an
insightful manner.
Ideas are
connected.
Demonstrates
facility with the
conventions (i.e.,
grammar, usage
and mechanics) of
standard written
English.
Demonstrates
facility with the
conventions of
standard written
English but may
have minor
errors.
OUTSTANDING
Sources are
integrated well and
paraphrased in the
student's own
wording.
STRONG
Some sources,
support and
evidence are
integrated well.
Supports
assertions with
researchable
and verifiable
evidence from
reputable
sources.
Support and
evidence are
referenced
adequately.
/20 Pts
/6 Pts
OUTSTANDING
DEPTH OF CONTENT &
INFORMATION
/20 Pts
YOUR
SCORE
Thesis
(5 Pts)
Missing
Topic
(4 Pts)
MISSING
Prompt
(9 Pts)
Missing
Depth
(9 Pts)
MISSING
Missing
/9
MISSING
Missing
/9
Over quoting of
sources which
distracts from
the student's
personal voice.
DEFICIENT
Excessive used of
borrowed ideas.
Lacks signs of
original thought.
MISSING
Missing
/9
 Excellent Work 
 Good Effort

 Needs Work

 See Professor
PROFESSOR SOM CHOUNLAMOUNTRY
 Unclear Thesis Roadmap
 Weak Topic Sentences
 Insufficient Support
 Issues With Logical
 ?-Ing Instead Of Guiding
 Underdeveloped ¶’S
 Too Much Quoting
 Using “I,” “We,” & “You”
TOTAL
http://www.lamission.edu/~chounls
/100
POLICY PROPOSAL PAPER OR POWERPOINT INTEGRATING AT LEAST 5 REPUTABLE SOURCES
Topics
Abortion
Alternative Fuels
Climate Policy /
Environment
Death Penalty
Electoral College
Human Cloning
Medical
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
& Poverty
Right to Die &
Assisted Suicide
Stem Cell
Research
Universal Health
Care
Energy Policy
Voting and
Participation
Required Scholarly Article. (Read these first!) You must include the required article as part of your
research paper. Use http://www.lamission.edu/library/ for CQ Researcher username: mission
password: la818. Additional reputable articles can be found using the LIBRARY tab in BeachBoard.
See http://youtu.be/7nWSds6kQb0 for details on acceptable sources of materials.
Jost, K., to Koch, K. (2006, September 22). Abortion showdowns. CQ Researcher, 16, 769-792. Retrieved
January 30, 2007, from CQ Researcher, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2006092200.
Cooper, M. H. (2005, February 25). Alternative fuels. CQ Researcher, 15, 173-196. Retrieved January 30,
2007, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005022500.
Clemmitt, M. (2006, January 27). Climate change. CQ Researcher, 16, 73-96. Retrieved January 30, 2007,
from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2006012700.
Jost, K. (2005, September 23). Death penalty controversies. CQ Researcher, 15, 785-808. Retrieved
January 30, 2007, from CQ Researcher. http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005092301.
Jost, K., to Giroux, G. (2000, December 8). Electoral College. CQ Researcher, 10, 977-1008. Retrieved
January 30, 2007, from CQ Researcher, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2000120800.
Hansen, B. (2004, October 22). Cloning debate. CQ Researcher, 14, 877-900. Retrieved January 30, 2007,
from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2004102200.
Marshall, P. (2005, February 11). Marijuana laws. CQ Researcher, 15, 125-148. Retrieved January 30,
2007, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005021100.
Katel, P. (2005, December 16). Minimum wage. CQ Researcher, 15, 1053-1076. Retrieved January 29,
2007, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005121600.
Jost, K. (2005, May 13). Right to die. CQ Researcher, 15, 421-444. Retrieved January 30, 2007, from CQ
Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005051301.
Clemmitt, M. (2006, September 1). Stem cell research. CQ Researcher, 16, 697-720. Retrieved January
30, 2007, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2006090100.
Epstein, K. (2002, June 14). Covering the uninsured. CQ Researcher, 12, 521-544. Retrieved January 30,
2007, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2002061400.
Cooper, M. H. (1999, March 5). The politics of energy. CQ Researcher, 9, 185-208. Retrieved January 30,
2007, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1999030500.
Katel, P. (2006, September 15). Voting controversies. CQ Researcher, 16, 745-768. Retrieved January 30,
2007, from CQ Researcher Online, http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2006091500.
Policy Paper and PowerPoint Prompt and Instructions
Step 1: Research an issue dealing with California government, then write at least a 1000 to 1500-word Policy
Proposal or an Argumentative Research Paper Integrating At Least 5 Reputable Sources. Cite sources in
parenthetical format (Author Year) for easier grading, and list sources in APA or MLA format. PowerPoint
presentation must be 20 slides of 20 seconds average each: 6 to 7 Minutes total. See and listen to NPR’s “Hate Long,
Rambling Speeches? Try Pecha-Kucha” at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130698873.
Step 2: Create Detailed Outline containing the following elements: A) Thesis Statements, B) Topics Sentences for
each paragraph, C) Evidence and Support Main Points and Sub Points for each paragraph
Step 3: Submit text to Plagiarism Checker and attach Report from http://www.dustball.com/cs/plagiarism.checker/
Step 4: Submit Handwritten your detailed version of How a Bill Becomes Law in California from
http://www.cfbf.com/agalert/pdf/BillBecomesLaw.pdf also found in the Class Website
Review your paper for grammatical issues. Try the following trick to test for a logical and well-written paper.
A] Underline the Thesis statement. It must encompass all the ideas that you will address.
B] Highlight the first sentence of each paragraph [called the Topic Sentence] after the Thesis.
C] Read only the Thesis Statement and Topic Sentences.
D] Question: Is your Thesis Statement a good roadmap—integrating elements of your supporting topic sentences?
Are the Topic Sentences IDEAS supporting your argument? Is the paper logical? Does it flow? Revise it until it does.
PROFESSOR SOM CHOUNLAMOUNTRY
http://www.lamission.edu/~chounls
NOTE: For the assignment, you must find and list in MLA or APA format 10 reputable sources and bring it
to class. You will review those sources and integrate at least 5 reputable sources in your Policy Research
Paper or PowerPoint. Please avoid using websites as they are not as reliable and may not have the proper
accreditations. Failure to meet the required source requirements will result in a grade lower than a “C.”
Use the following LAMC website to access journals, magazine and newspaper articles.
MLA Style
Glazer, Sarah. "Roe v. Wade At 25." CQ Researcher 28 Nov. 1997: 1033-56. Web. 25 Sept. 2011.
APA Style
Glazer, S. (1997, November 28). Roe v. Wade at 25. CQ Researcher, 7, 1033-1056. Retrieved from
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/
Library Resources
http://lamission.edu/library/resources.aspx
Books, periodicals, online databases, reference materials, and information from the Internet--the tools you need to succeed are
all available in the Library. One of the reference librarians will help you find the information you need.
To access the databases below from off-campus, click the off-campus links to login with your student ID number and PIN. Your
PIN is a four-digit number of your birth month and day. For example, January 1st would be "0101".
Magazines, Journals and Newspapers:







EBSCOhost provides indexing and abstracts for over 3,100 periodicals and searchable full text for over 1,500
periodicals. This database is available to you as Mission College students and staff from computers on campus and from
your computers at home. EBSCOhost with instructions, courtesy of Loyola Marymount University.
National Newspapers provides comprehensive coverage of major newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, the
New York Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, and the Wall Street Journal. This database is available to
you as Mission College students and staff from computers on campus and from your computers at home.
Ethnic News Watch searchable in English and Spanish, this database provides full text coverage of current and historical
topics in newspapers, magazines and journals of ethnic, minority and native presses.
Sirs Knowledge Source provides access to full text articles and government documents on social, health and scientific
issues.
CQ Researcher published by Congressional Quarterly, provides full text articles on current issues.
Directory of Open Access Journals provides access to free, full text, scholarly and scientific journals available on the
web.
FindArticles provides access to magazine and journal articles from more than 900 publications from 1998 through the
present on the web. Search results can be sorted by relevancy or date and limited to free articles.
Reference Resources:





Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia This database provides over 25,000 encyclopedic entries covering a variety
of subject areas.
CQ Researcher published by Congressional Quarterly, provides full text articles on current issues.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center includes viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links
to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.
CountryWatch includes international, political, economic and business information.
eBooks by EBSCOhost includes over 5,000 eBooks. EBooks are full text electronic versions of published books that you
can search, borrow, and read over the internet. You can search for a topic across thousands of books or within the text
of an individual book.
PROFESSOR SOM CHOUNLAMOUNTRY
http://www.lamission.edu/~chounls
Library Resources http://lamission.edu/library/resources.aspx
Books, periodicals, online databases, reference materials, and information from the Internet--the tools you need to succeed are
all available in the Library. One of the reference librarians will help you find the information you need.
To access the databases below from off-campus, click the off-campus links to login with your student ID number and PIN. Your
PIN is a four-digit number of your birth month and day. For example, January 1st would be "0101".
Click here for an alphabetic list of all databases.
Magazines, Journals, and Newspapers
Reference Resources
Books
EBSCOhost Databases
(off campus? Click Here)
Magazines and journals [more]
Gale Virtual Reference Library
(off campus? Click Here)
Complete text of over 150 reference books
that cover a wide range of subjects.
National Newspapers (ProQuest)
Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
(off campus? Click Here)
[more]
eBooks by EBSCOhost (formerly NetLibrary)
(off campus? Click Here)
Over 5,000 electronic books (eBooks)
[more]
Ethnic News Watch
(off campus? Click Here)
Newspapers, magazines, and journals of
minority presses [more]
CQ Researcher
(off campus? Click Here)
Current controversies and topics in the news
[more]
Gale Virtual Reference Library
(off campus? Click Here)
Complete text of over 150 reference books
that cover a wide range of subjects.
Sirs Knowledge Source
(off campus? Click Here)
Information on government and social issues
[more]
Opposing Viewpoints
(off campus? Click Here)
Articles with arguments for and against
controversial topics [more]
Los Angeles Public Library Catalog
CQ Researcher
(off campus? Click Here)
Current controversies and topics in the news
[more]
Twayne's Author Series
County of Los Angeles Public Library
(off campus? Click Here)
Critical introductions to the lives and works of
authors
Directory of Open Access Journals
Scientific and scholarly journals available on
the web [more]
Gale Literature Resource Center
(off campus? Click Here)
(off campus? Click Here)
L. A. Times and other national newspapers
[more]
FindArticles
Magazine and journal articles from 1998
through the present on the web [more]
Periodical Holdings
Complete list of magazines, newspapers and
journals in the Mission College Library.
PROFESSOR SOM CHOUNLAMOUNTRY
Mission College Library Catalog
(off campus? Click Here)
includes books located at college libraries in
LACCD
Trial ends December 2010
CountryWatch
Los Angeles Public Library Databases
http://www.lamission.edu/~chounls