PSC 201 Perspective Paper
Perspective Paper: Students will prepare a persuasive research paper on a political topic of their choosing that supports a particular opinion or perspective regarding that issue (for example, pro-choice or pro-life), and also supports the opposing position (if you argued pro-choice before, then you would argue pro-life in the second part). The paper will be three pages of the student’s original words and will include citations for each fact presented. The purpose of this paper is not to get you to think a particular way, but to understand how someone else might think differently than you do. This is an essential skill if you wish to master the field of political science, and is genuinely necessary as a life skill as well. You will select your paper topic in the First Week quiz.
Content requirements: 90 points
Explain the topic and provide basic information regarding its origins, and explain why the topic is important and/or politically controversial. 30 points, 1 page
Thoroughly and fairly explain a particular perspective regarding the topic. 30 points, 1 page
Thoroughly and fairly explain the opposing perspective regarding the topic. 30 points, 1 page
Technical requirements: 30 points
Paper is completely free of spelling/grammar/syntax errors, has been edited, and is appropriately formal in tone.
Papers must be double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font, with standard 1 inch margins.
Students must use either APA or MLA citation methods, incorporating in-text or end citations and a works cited/bibliography page. For citation examples and bibliography page examples, see the Tutoring Center handouts in Blackboard entitled: APA Citation Guide and MLA Citation Guide.
Students must use and cite at least six valid sources in their paper, at least two of which must be newspaper articles (see the Helpful Websites link below).
No single-sourcing. You must use and cite more than one source within each paragraph.
Do not cite Wikipedia or other user-editable websites. You may link to the original material cited by Wikipedia and cite that original material, if it is a legitimate source.
Submission requirements:
When submitting, copy and paste your work into the submission box, AND attach your work as a file.
Papers in the Blackboard dropbox must be submitted in either .doc, .docx, or .pdf formats.
If you are working on a Mac, you must convert your paper to a .pdf before submitting.
Papers submitted must be a minimum of three pages in length (not counting title page, an abstract if using APA, or bibliography/works cited page). Any paper fewer than three full pages in length when properly formatted will automatically earn a grade of zero.
