Research Paper Assignment Since this is an upper-level political science class, you will be asked to develop a thesis-driven research paper about a topic within the study of the American Presidency. Your paper can address any issue you would like, but I suggest you confine yourself to one of these three broad areas:
- An evaluation of a particular Presidency in reference to one or more models of the Presidency we have studied (the regime model being chief among these).
- An evaluation of the current Bush Presidency in light of these models, and/or in comparison with historical precedents (i.e., past Presidents).
- Speculation about the challenges facing, and resources available to, the current candidates for President; I would suggest sticking with the big three (Clinton, McCain, Obama), although I will entertain other possibilities.
Your paper should have a strong
thesis: it should adopt a strong point of view (in other words, you should “take a stand”); it should be specific and limited in scope (it can’t too big to cover in a research paper); and it should be arguably true (it shouldn’t be patently obvious, like “
Clinton suffered political attacks”).
Your paper should be 10-12 pages, double-spaced, and typed with 1” margins. You probably should state your thesis clearly in your first paragraph. I also recommend that you use the first paragraph to lay out the structure of the essay (“Below, I will do X, and then Y, and then Z”).
Theory/Models: Your paper should also use the theoretical knowledge and models we have studied in this class to evaluate the particular Presidency or candidate you choose. What kind of politics (in Skowronek’s sense) does your President practice (or will your candidate likely practice)? How has/did your chosen President negotiate the modern/pre-modern divide? Does your chosen President embody the “rhetorical Presidency?” You should refer to at least one model or theory from class in your paper, and possibly more; these should directly apply to the Presidency/candidate you’ve chosen, and not just be shoehorned in to satisfy this requirement.
Topic Abstract/Outline: You are required to submit a 1-2 page topic description/abstract and brief outline a few weeks before the final paper is due. I ask you to think carefully about this abstract and outline, not just because it will help you prepare your paper, but because I can provide the best kind of feedback for a well-organized and thought-out submission. You should you’re your paper on this outline and topic description, along with my feedback (although you are of course welcome to make changes as you work through the writing process). Specifically, your submission should include:
- An abstract of a few sentences that describes your thesis and overall plan for your essay. It should indicate which President or candidate you will discuss and a very brief overview of your arguments.
- An outline that lays out your argument for the paper in a clearly organized, bullet-point fashion. This does not have to be detailed, but should indicate a few of the arguments from our theory and/or historical data that supports your thesis.
This early topic/outline submission will not be graded; it is intended to encourage you to think early about your paper, and to get feedback from your instructor at an important point in the writing process.
However, note that students who submit an outline and topic that clearly shows little effort—a poorly thought-out thesis, just a few bullet points—may suffer a reduction in their grade.
Conversely, students who offer an impressive outline—well-organized, clear effort, initial research reflected—may see an increase in their final grade for the assignment (see Grading section below).
Research and Sources: Research papers require you to support your argument with outside sources; however, this is not an excuse to simply string together a series of quotes and pass it off as your own work. You must organize others’ ideas and arguments yourself, using your own words, while taking care to give credit to others. In addition, you should limit the number of direct quotes you use in your paper. But please remember that all information derived from your sources must be cited, even when you restate others’ ideas in your own words.
All citations should be properly formatted. I prefer APA citation style, but you may use whichever format you would like as long as you use it consistently. Internet research sources are suitable for this assignment, but be aware of “objective” sites that lack authority. Wikipedia, for example, can provide useful background information and links, but is often poorly sourced and should NOT be cited as an authority. Citations to the Internet should be sufficiently specific so as to allow a reader to arrive at the same web page where you found the information.
Deadlines: You will need to submit this essay in two stages. The topic abstract and outline will be due on Tuesday, April 15. I will provide feedback on these outlines, and return to you within a week. The final draft of the essay is due in class on Thursday, May 8. You must attach the copy of your topic/outline with my comments. Late papers are subject to penalties as described below (see section on “Grading”).
Just to be clear, these again are the deadlines:
Tuesday, April 15: Topic/Outline Due
(I will return outlines with comments by 4/22)
Thursday, May 8: Final Draft Due (w/ outline attached)
Grading: I’ve included below my standard criteria for grading paper assignments. Please read these thoroughly and let me know if you have any questions about them; your paper will be assigned a letter grade based in part on these criteria. However, these additional penalties also may apply:
- If you do not submit your abstract/outline by the 4/15 deadline, I will deduct a full letter grade from your grade for the assignment. (If I agree, you may be allowed to submit the outline late in order to receive my feedback, but the grade reduction will not be affected.)
- If you submit a poorly-prepared abstract/outline, I may deduct up to a full letter grade from your grade for the assignment. However, if your outline is particularly impressive, you may receive a bonus of up to a full letter grade.
- If you hand in your final draft late, without a valid and documented excuse, I will deduct a full letter grade from your grade for the assignment.
- If you do not attach your abstract/outline to your final draft, I will deduct a third of a letter grade.
Grading Criteria
A Expresses complex, independent thought with grace, clarity and force. Its purpose is clear from the start: it contains a thesis that is imaginatively, logically, and precisely developed. Not only is the paper organized, the organization does not seem mechanical or imposed. Any source material included is balanced and smoothly integrated into the essay. Each topical paragraph has a controlling idea, solid detail, and smooth transitions. The sentences are varied in length and structure. The writer chooses concrete, specific words and uses them correctly, employing diction that is distinctive and mature, with effective metaphors and analogies for clarity and emphasis. The essay contains no colloquialisms, clichés, or trite expressions. It is virtually free of grammatical and mechanical errors.
B Contains a clear thesis statement supported with good examples. The writer controls the essay’s development by arranging the examples supporting the thesis in an orderly and logical fashion. The essay is well-organized, but transitions are sometimes strained. Any source material included is smoothly integrated, and some independent conclusions are drawn. Each topical paragraph has a controlling idea and good supporting detail. The sentences are usually varied. The word choice is generally correct. The writer often goes beyond the automatic word choice to find one more precise and effective. The paper is generally correct mechanically, though there are some problems with complex grammar and punctuation traps.
C Contains a recognizable thesis and adequate development. Though the paper has some interesting parts, the interest is not uniformly maintained and the purpose is not always clear. There are very few errors in sentence structure by the sentences are not varied. The word choice is generally correct, but the range of words is limited, and in some cases the wording is abstract and imprecise. Source material included is relevant but not carefully integrated. This essay also has errors in syntax, spelling and punctuation. More importantly, it lacks an original, significant purpose or point of view.
D Meets only the minimum requirements of college writing. The writer approaches the topic in a conventional and predictable manner. The essay lacks imagination and insight. Though it still contains a thesis, it is poorly or mechanically developed. It also lacks adequate support of generalizations. Source materials are cited improperly, are not directly relevant, and/or overwhelm the essay. Some principle of organization is apparent but it is not successful followed. The diction is often imprecise and monotonous. The writer uses vague, ordinary words and relies on clichés and jargon. The essay contains sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and numerous basic errors in syntax, agreement, reference, spelling, and punctuation.
