Name: __________________________________________
Period: ____________
Public Policy in the News:
Inform, Persuade, Act
For this final project, you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of a contemporary public policy
issue by creating a newsletter. Your goal is to inform, persuade, and encourage your readers to act on any current
public policy issue that is important to you. Remember, public policy involves government action (or lack of
action) on a particular issue of importance to a broad range of people. Your public policy issue can be local,
national, or global in scope. Since this assignment is in lieu of a final exam and represents 15% of your grade for
the course, it is expected that your finished product will exhibit significant effort, time spent (both in and out of
class), and understanding. Have fun with it and make it your very best work!
FORMAT: NEWSLETTER
Working independently, with a partner, or in a group of three, you will produce a newsletter of at least 3 pages.
Your newsletter must be typed and printed by the due date. See our website for suggested newsletter templates from
Microsoft Word. Make sure your newsletter includes titles, headings/subheadings, and an array of visual elements
(photographs, illustrations, cartoons, tables, graphs, charts, etc.). Be aware that plagiarism of any kind will result in
a failing grade.
CONTENT: WHAT TO INCLUDE
First, choose a current public policy issue that interests you and one that you feel strongly about. Be sure your
choice isn’t too broad – for example, “protecting the environment” would be too general whereas “global warming”
is a better, more focused option. Then, using both in-class and independent research, you will want to familiarize
yourself with all aspects of the issue: its historical context; current and past government policy; pro and con
arguments on the issue and current policy; and how citizens can get involved.
Make sure your newsletter includes:
 Inform: the first page(s) should inform your readers about the issue and current public policy. This part is
where you show off all the research you’ve done in a comprehensive way. Include what the issue and
current government policy is, some historical background, and who it impacts and/or involves (including
policymakers). Be sure this part thoroughly answers the “5 W/H” questions about your issue and
government policy. You must reference specific legislation and/or case law. This part also must include
specific data relating to your issue in the form of a chart, table, or graph(s).
 Persuade: the next page(s) should persuade your readers to agree with your opinions on the issue. This part
is where you try to convince your audience to adopt your own view on the issue and government action.
You may suggest why current policy is/isn’t working and offer alternatives. Be sure not to include faulty
methods of persuasion – it should be based on facts already presented. Avoid overly emotional language or
“bandwagon” arguments. You should also anticipate and refute potential counter-arguments in an effort to
strengthen your line of reasoning.
 Act: the final page(s) should spur your readers to action, based on your persuasive efforts. This part should
include a range of specific suggestions for citizen action and motivate your audience to get involved. You
must also include a brief sample letter that could be sent to someone in government, along with the names
and addresses/emails of potential recipients.
PRESENTATION: WHAT YOU SUBMIT ON THE DUE DATE
Your newsletter should be typed, single-spaced, on 8½” x 11” paper with 1” margins, using predominantly an 11 or
12-point plain font. Make sure your project is neat, clear, and shows effort. Submit a separate bibliography and this
page along with your project. See me if you have any questions or ideas about formatting.
We will present our newsletters beginning June 9. Presentations will be a factor in your grade and will be roughly 5
minutes in length.
Page 2
GRADING RUBRIC
4
3
2
1
One or two parts not
fully developed or
balanced
One or more parts
missing; two or more
parts not fully
developed or balanced
or incomplete
Demonstrates little
understanding of the
issue and/or current
policy; includes one or
more significant
inaccuracies; includes
little or no detailed
information; shows a
significant lack of
research and learning
on the issue and/or
policy
Content
All required parts are
present, substantial,
fully developed, and
balanced
Accuracy and
Depth of
Understanding
Demonstrates a
thoughtful and
comprehensive
understanding of the
issue and current
policy; includes a
significant degree of
detail, analysis, and
persuasion that is above
standards
Demonstrates a
thorough understanding
of the issue and current
public policy
Demonstrates an
uneven or limited
understanding of the
issue and current
policy; may include
faulty or weak
persuasion methods;
may include one or two
minor inaccuracies
Format and
Creativity
Newsletter shows great
care and effort; is neat
and attractive and
creative; layout is eye
catching and balanced;
is typed
Newsletter shows
effort; is neat and clear;
is typed; may include 12 minor formatting
errors
Newsletter may be
sloppy or seems rushed;
is typed but includes
formatting errors; this
page is not submitted
Newsletter includes
several mistakes; is
sloppy or demonstrates
minimal care or effort;
is not typed; does not
include appropriate
visual elements
Presentation
Class presentation is
interesting, informative,
and persuasive; all parts
are evenly presented;
shows evidence of
planning and practice;
may include
presentation tools
and/or audience
interaction (PowerPoint; copies of
newsletter or other
handout(s); survey or
questionnaire; etc.)
Class presentation is
engaging, informative,
and persuasive; all parts
are presented but may
be uneven; shows
evidence of
forethought, but may
not be executed as
planned
Class presentation is
informative and
persuasive but limited;
may not include one or
more part of the
newsletter; shows the
presenter is not fully an
expert on the
issue/policy (i.e.,
includes inaccurate
claims); shows little
evidence of planning
and/or practice
Class presentation is
weak/too brief; may
include very limited
information and/or
persuasion; shows no
evidence of planning or
preparation; refuses to
present
Writing
Mechanics
(spelling,
punctuation,
grammar,
sentence
structure, etc.)
Well above standards
A few mistakes
Several mistakes
Well below standards
All required parts are
present and welldeveloped