Name ______________________________________________ Period ________Date ________
Submit essay to turnitin.com. Print essay plus complete and detach rubric sheet and turn in on the due date.
Points
Possible
Student Score:
What do you give yourself?
Teacher
Generated
Score
Thesis Paragraph:
Context of the Topic including definitions
Two Current Issues
1 st Body Paragraph: Political Socialization
Define liberal, conservative, libertarian, socialist
Explain where you fall on political spectrum
Explain first agent of socialization and explain
Explain second agent of socialization and explain
Explain third agent of socialization and explain
2 nd Body Paragraph: Political Issue #1
Core Question
One fact supporting one side of the argument
Second fact supporting one side of the argument
Current Public Opinion Poll identified with support
Comparison of your political ideology and position on issue
3 rd Body Paragraph: Political Issue #2
Core Question
One fact supporting one side of the argument
Second fact supporting one side of the argument
Current Public Opinion Poll identified with support
Comparison of your political ideology and position on issue
Conclusion:
5
2
5
5
10
5
Include a brief summary of the paper's main points 5
2 Use a quotation
Universalize (connect to a larger theme)
3
Sources (3-4)
Case Study Structure
Followed correct format (paragraphs, font, & font size) 5
5
Total Score 100
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
2
5
3
4

You are to write an original, standard essay on the following prompt. Your essay will be turned in on turnitin.com at any time up until the due date and time. Technology is the responsibility of the student. You can check if turnitin.com is having issues on their twitter feed (@turnitinstatus). The assignment is not turned in until you have received a receipt email from turnitin.com so check your junk email box. You will submit a printed copy of your essay and the rubric to the instructor at the next class meeting after the due date posted on turnitin.com.
Question: What is a standard essay?
All essays, whether written in class or outside of class, will be written in a standard essay format. The essay will have an introductory paragraph, with a thesis, a body containing at least three paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. The essay will have a minimum of five paragraphs. Remember that each paragraph will have a minimum of four sentences. All essays will use a standard font of Calibri, Times New Roman, or Arial. Use a type size of 12. Do not use pronouns such as I, me, they, etc. in your paper. Plagiarism rules will apply. Place your name, class period, and essay title at the top of the page. Technology and internet issues are responsibility of the student.
Late Grade:
Late assignments will accepted to turnitin.com up to 24 hours after the due date with a 30 point deduction. No assignments will be accepted after Saturday, February 13, 2015 at 11:59 pm.
Essay Prompt:
Sources: Use a minimum of three and a maximum of four sources. Procon.org and pollingreport.com will be two of your sources. Wikipedia and your textbook are NOT approved sources. Your works cited must be placed directly at the end of your essay. Use a works cited machine like http://www.easybib.com/ to correctly cite your sources.
Counts as MAJOR grade! It is worth 20% of your entire grade.

Column 1
Medical Marijuana
Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide
Milk - Is It Healthy?
Abortion
Vegetarianism
Obesity a Disease?
Drinking Age - Lower It?
Animal Testing
Cell Phones - Are They Safe?
Gay Marriage
Born Gay? Origins of Sexual Orientation
Social Networking - Good or Bad?
Video Games and Violence
Drug Use in Sports
Golf - Is It a Sport?
College Football Playoffs
Topics
Select one topic from each column
Column 2
Illegal Immigration
Gun Control
Concealed Handguns
ACLU - Good or Bad?
Social Security Privatization
WTC Muslim Center
Alternative Energy vs Fossil Fuels
Climate Change
Prostitution - Legalize it?
Under God
Churches and Taxes
Obamacare / Health Care Laws
Right to Health Care
Prescription Drug Ads
Death Penalty
Vaccines for Kids

DIRECTIONS : Complete these parts in order. Type all parts and attach needed documents.
Paragraph One – Introduction
A.
Set the context of the topic including a definition of political socialization and political ideology
B.
Introduce the two current issues
.
Paragraph Two – Political socialization defined
A.
Define what it means to be a liberal, conservative, libertarian and communitarian/socialist.

Explain where you fall on the political spectrum.

Go to www.politicalcompass.org
. (This quiz was assigned the first day of school)

Click on the Take the Test link on the top right. Complete the six pages of questions (about 50 questions).

After you are finished, click the link that allows you to print your results, which should look like the image on the back of this page.

Attach a copy of the political spectrum results to the printed copy of your paper to hand in.
B.
What agents of socialization (i.e., media, family, peers, school, and politicians) have been most powerful in defining your political ideology? Explain three.
Paragraph Three – Political Issue #1
A.
Go to http://www.procon.org/
B.
Select one topic from the left hand column below
C.
Identify the core question associated with that topic on procon.org.
D.
Read both the pros and cons of the issue.
E.
Select the side that you agree with based on the facts presented. Explain the side you agree with using two facts and arguments presented. Do NOT include your own personal beliefs.
F.
Go to www.pollingreport.com
and find a recent public opinion poll that relates to the issue you selected above. Summarize the poll with the following information. a.
Who conducted the poll? b.
What were the dates of the poll? c.
What the sampling size? d.
How the poll was conducted (telephone, in person, on line)? e.
What was the margin of error for the poll? f.
What is the website for the poll? (so I can review it)
G.
Does the national poll support the position you chose to support? Does the position you chose to support on this issue coincide with your political ideology in paragraph 1. Explain.
Paragraph Four – Political Issue #2
A.
Go to http://www.procon.org/
B.
Select one topic from the right hand column below
C.
Identify the core question associated with that topic on procon.org.
D.
Read both the pros and cons of the issue.
E.
Select the side that you agree with based on the facts presented. Explain the side you agree with using two facts and arguments presented. Do NOT include your own personal beliefs.
F.
Go to www.pollingreport.com
and find a recent public opinion poll that relates to the issue you selected above. Summarize the poll with the following information. a.
Who conducted the poll? b.
What were the dates of the poll? c.
What the sampling size? d.
How the poll was conducted (telephone, in person, on line)? e.
What was the margin of error for the poll? f.
What is the website for the poll? (so I can review it)
G.
Does the national poll support your position? Does your position on this issue coincide with your political ideology in paragraph one. Explain and give specifics.
Paragraph Five – Conclusion
A.
Include a brief summary of the paper’s main points.
B.
Use a quotation that represents your political ideology by someone who shares your views. Do not use a current presidential candidate.
C.
Universalize (connect to a large theme) the findings in your paper.

Essay Structure
Paragraph 1: Thesis paragraph
Must include: o Set the context of the topic including a definition of political socialization and political ideology o Have two current issues
Paragraph 2: 1 st body paragraph
Must include: o Define political ideologies: liberal, conservative, libertarian and communitarian/socialist. o Explain where you fall on the political spectrum according to the quiz at www.politicalcompass.org
o Which three agents of socialization (i.e., media, family, peers, school, and politicians) have been most powerful in defining your political ideology? Explain and give examples.
Paragraph 3: 2 nd
body paragraph
Must include: o Core question (found on procon.org) o Argue for one side of the issue using facts NOT personal beliefs o Present a current poll on the issue and identify o Explain how your stance on the above core question supports or opposes your political ideology in paragraph 1.
Paragraph 4: 3 rd
body paragraph
Must include: o Core question (found on procon.org) o Argue for one side of the issue using facts NOT personal beliefs o Present a current poll on the issue and identify o Explain how your stance on the above core question supports or opposes your political ideology in paragraph 1.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Must include: o Include a brief summary of the paper's main points. o Use a quotation that represents your political ideology by someone who shares your views. Do not use a current presidential candidate. o Universalize (connect to a larger theme).
Bibliography o Three to four sources o Use MLA format (easybib.com) o Place right at the end of the paper.
Attachments o Political Compass Results