Drug use in college sports

In this paper you will argue For a Policy. You can find your policy anywhere there are a large enough group of people that rules are required: your university, your workplace, your place of worship, social clubs, your city, etc. This is a library research paper, so it is a good idea to make the policy as local as possible, since state, national, and international policies have a lot of material to master, and therefore might require a great deal of research time; the smaller and more local the policy, the less material there is to master. If you choose non-local issues, therefore, choose smaller national issues rather than larger, more controversial ones (the national policy on abortion, etc.).
Regardless of the policy you write about, in your paper you should carefully define it, thoroughly investigate its history and current status, and examine its consequences. You should decide whether the policy actually addressed the problem or issue it was intended to, if it is now outdated and no longer useful. You will need to evaluate it objectively in terms of its fairness, popularity, utility, enforceability, effectiveness, cost efficiency, and any other relevant factor.
Since policies are formulated and implemented by people around us every day, you are required to Interview as a part of your research. Essays without an Interview will have one-half of a letter grade deducted from the assignment. You may want to interview those who have created or enforced the policy (keeping in mind that they will be naturally defensive of the policy), and perhaps anyone of some authority or insight who is opposed to the policy. It would also be helpful to formulate or discover alternate policies to the one currently in use. In order to determine if a policy is popular, you might want to take a poll of the people affected by the policy — but make sure your poll is as scientific as possible.
Ultimately, you must have a strong, arguable (debatable) thesis. You are
1) For the Current Policy, or 2) For a Revision to the Current Policy, or 3) For an Alternative to the Current Policy. In this case you cannot merely be arguing against the current policy.
REQUIREMENTS: The paper should be about 4-7 pages in length (not counting a Works Cited Page). You must have at least 6 sources including the current policy, an interview, three library sources, and another source of your choice. Pick a topic quickly, so you can allow yourself enough time to do your research and conduct interviews.
Sample Policy Topics:
School / Work City Social Religious State/Society Entertainment
parking leave time zoning rules phone sales football playoffs
dorm food benefits noise doctrines toll roads media censorship
alcohol dress codes water restrictions tag agents
tuition/fees club policies membership student loans
marijuana
Checklist:
1) Don’t argue Against a Policy: Argue For One (Counter-Arguing when helpful)!
2) 4-7 Pages! 6 Sources (the Current Policy, an Interview, 3 Library Sources, and 1 other)!
3) Have good MLA format, both In-Text and on the Works Cited page.
4) The works you cite on the Works Cited page must be cited in the body of the essay as well!
5) Make strong arguments! Present both sides. Counter-Argue against the opposite side.
6) Avoid grammatical errors, especially Fragments, Fused Sentences, and Comma Splices.
Existing Policies: Some Lines of Attack and Defense
Here in capsule form are some of the strategic possibilities for deliberating existing policies:
Attacking a Current Policy Defending a Current Policy
1. The goals of the policy are unac- 1. The goals of the policy are valid,
ceptable today, even though they even though some people have sup-
may have been acceptable at one ported it for the wrong reasons,
time. or even though the results have
not been praiseworthy.
2. From the beginning, the policy 2. With all of its flaws, the policy
was based upon a flawed percep- remains the best long-term response
tion of the problem. to the underlying causes of the
problem.
3. The policy was an adequate re- 3. Although the policy may need to be
sponse to the problem at one adjusted somewhat to account for
time, but now the situation has changing circumstances, the basic
changed. plan is a good one.
4. The policy is no longer necessary. 4. If you think that the policy is no longer necessary, just consider these facts….Then consider what might happen if the policy rescinded.
5. The policy is not working. It 5. There have been some problems in
has not achieved its goals. implementing the policy. Slowly but surely the policy is working; it just needs more time. The policy has been sabotaged by special interests. Detractors have not given the policy a chance to work.
6. The policy is, or has become, too 6. In the long run, this policy will be the least expensive. expensive. It is causing other problems Compared to acceptable alternatives, the costs are not too
that outweigh the benefits. high. Although there have been some unfortunate side-effects, it would be better to deal with these one-on-one rather than to
abandon the whole policy.
7. Although the goals of the policy 7. We believe in these basic values but policy-opposers
are praiseworthy, its methods conflict are defining them too narrowly (or loosely) Seen
with basic values, morals, and Seen in the proper perspective these methods are
principles. fully compatible with the values and principles in question.
Some Hints on Interviewing
1. Find out the name and position of the person you need to talk with. You can start by calling or visiting the department (or whatever) and asking the administrative assistant (or the department head, etc.) who would be an expert in the specific area or field. Make sure that the person really is an expert on the subject.
2. Make an appointment to see the person. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time between the interview and the paper deadline.
3. Do most of your research before the interview. Do not rely on the person you’re talking with to give you background information on your topic. Do not go into an interview without already having some knowledge of what you want to talk about.
4. Have specific questions prepared and written down on a piece of paper. It is often useful to write down the questions in a notebook, leaving pages or appropriate space to write the person’s response in.
5. It is very helpful to tape record any interview. However, you must get the person’s permission to record! If the person doesn’t wish you to record the interview, then don’t.
6. Show up to the appointment on time.
7. Before you start asking questions, be sure to tell the person what you are working on and what you will do with the information. Be sure to be polite, and thank the person for his or her time.
8. If you are recording the interview, set up the equipment before you start asking questions.
9. Ask questions you have written down in your notebook. Even if you’re mechanically recording the conversation, write down the person’s responses, since your recorder might break down. It is proper and often helpful to read back a quote you think might be particularly helpful, to be sure you’ve gotten just what the person said.
10. Whenever possible, ask questions that can have specific answers. Try to avoid questions that are too general or are too leading.
11. If a person does not wish to comment on something, respect that. You might be able to get the information elsewhere.
12. If you think of a good follow-up question to a person’s response, write down the question and answer.
13. After you finish with your questions, see if there is anything else on your topic the person might want to comment on. You might also want to ask the person if there is someone else he or she might suggest you talk with to get a different perspective.
14. Be sure to thank the person for the interview. If the person expresses an interest in the final product, be sure you send him or her a copy.
15. Right after the interview, go back over your notes. Write out quotations again while they are fresh in your mind. Make sure you can read your own writing and rewrite anything you might have a hard time remembering.
Evaluating Library Research Policy Argumentation Essays
The Writing
___ The paper was grammatically clear.
___ The paper was well worded.
___ The paper was well organized.
The MLA Format
___ The student had at least six sources: the current policy, an interview, three library sources and one other.
___ The student used these sources in a convincing, compelling manner.
___ The student used the correct MLA format for in-text citations.
___ The student used the correct MLA format for the Works Cited Page.
Structure
___ The Introduction was interesting and caused the reader to want to read more.
___ The Policy was stated clearly and early.
___ The Policy was not too broad or narrow to be covered in a 4-7 page paper.
___ The Background History which led to the formulation of the Policy was explained clearly
and early.
___ The Conclusion captured the essence of the body without merely summarizing it.
The Thesis
___ The Thesis was stated clearly and early. It was (check one):
___ For the Current Policy (and against Alternative Policies).
___ For the Current Policy with a specific Revision (Arguing against alternative policies
but for this specific revision).
___ For an Alternative Policy (and against the Current Policy).
The Argumentation
___ The Argumentation overall was strong. It was especially strong in (mark whatever applies):
___ Rogerian (Early on: finding common ground with the opposition).
___ Pro (Making arguments FOR the student’s position).
___ Con (Making arguments AGAINST the opposite position).
___ Concession (Admitting your position’s weaknesses and/or your opponent’s
strengths).
___ Counter-Argument (Making arguments to rebut the Concessions).
___ The Writer’s Ethos: Overall, the student came across as reasonable, fair, well balanced, and
likeable.
___ Overall Grade (Optional for in-class revisions)
General Comments (use the back if necessary):

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