The goal of this research paper:
Pretend you’re a political lobbyist. You will propose new legislation or a significant specific improvement on recent existing legislation.
Prepare to write the research paper–
PART ONE- Do the research
Select ONE topic only from the list below. What ONE issue concerns you regarding this topic? Be specific. (This is an example of writing an issue in terms that are too broad, vague and general: “Racial discrimination against African Americans…”)
Decide what specific new legislation (law) you would create to resolve the issue.
Look up a recent existing law (within the past 10 years) that is similar to what you want to propose. (See below for ways to find an existing law.)
On what level is the existing law—federal, state, county, city?
This paper is an analysis, not a personal essay. Don’t just summarize or give your personal opinion. (Do not use “I”, “you”, or “we”.)
Do NOT use social media, videos, images, movies, personal blogs, Wikipedia, or any material from this course.
In several sentences, type your proposed legislation. (This will be part of your thesis statement.) (Indicate on which level your proposed legislation would be: national, state, county or city level.)
Is your proposed legislation completely new? Or is it an improvement on the existing legislation? If so, it must be a SIGNIFICANT improvement.
(Fewer points will be given for proposed legislation that is very similar to already existing legislation.)
For instance: proposed economic legislation as a solution to gentrification- If landlords were given a tax credit from the city or state government for not evicting their working-class tenants, they might change their emphasis on gentrification.
PART TWO- Choose ONE topic- What issue related to this topic could be turned into new legislation to empower African Americans?
Art/Culture
Business
Corporate domination in globalization
Discrimination based on body type/body size or colorism
Education
Environmental Racism
Gentrification
Immigrant issues
LGBTQ
Mass Incarceration
Mixed Race Issues
Police issues
Political/community organizing such as Black Lives Matter
Science/Technology
Sports issues
PART THREE- Name your black legislator
Name which black legislator you would like to have sponsor your legislative idea. The legislator must be on the same political level as your proposed legislation (national, state, county or city level).
Name the specific politician and their correct official title. (They must currently be in office.)
Remember that members of the executive or judicial branches of government (U.S. President, U.S. Supreme Court justices, California Governor, Los Angeles Mayor, for example) cannot propose a bill or vote to pass legislation.
Indicate why the person you chose may be in favor of your proposed legislation.
Type a minimum of two actual specific examples of what the legislator stands for that indicate they might believe in your issue, such as–
Give the exact title of and explain similar previous legislation the legislator has voted for or sponsored,
An exact quote from a speech they have given about the issue or a similar one,
A specific quote from their website or press releases that directly pertains to your issue (not in a broad or vague way).
Provide citations for the legislator’s two (or more) examples, using an appropriate academic format with which you are familiar: APA, CMS, or MLA.
It is NOT enough just to say, for example, that just because an elected official is a woman, she would automatically support your proposed legislation for a particular women’s issue.
Write the research paper—
PART FOUR- Format the paper
Type 4-6 full pages (possible additional points for 6-8 pages), using an academic format you are familiar with: APA, Chicago Manual of Style, or MLA. Do not just use webpage links. Type double-spaced, use full paragraphs, no bullet points, no abbreviations. Number your pages. Provide a relevant, interesting paper title. Be sure your name is on the paper. Include academically formatted in-text quotes and citations. Also at the end, include a separate academically formatted citation page. Correct grammar and punctuation count. Do not add extra spacing to make your paper seem longer. (Points will be deducted for this.) If you include any graphs or charts, they should be placed at the end in an Appendix before the citation page and will not count toward your overall page count.
Parts of the paper:
Introduction-
Include historical material to provide a context to explain your topic/issue (use only ONE). Fewer points will be given for a paper that skims over a series of issues.
Thesis statement (last sentence(s) of the introduction)-State your argument: what is the present-day issue you chose and how your proposed legislation would help solve it.
Do NOT use overly broad, vague or general statements.
Resources-Thesis Statements
Thesis statements-U of Ill. http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/literaturepaper/
Thesis Statements https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
Body of the paper- include the following–
Be sure you keep your background information on the same legislative level as your proposed legislation. For instance, if you are proposing California-specific legislation, do not use national legislation as examples; stay on the same level.
Type at least two quotes with in-text citations (from appropriate, verifiable outside sources) about the issue (problem) your proposed legislation would address to show why it is potentially valuable as a solution.
Explain your idea for proposed legislation in detail. (Do not use bullet points.)
What is it intended to do and why?
Who will benefit and why?
How is it different from already existing legislation and why? What does it add and why? Approximately how much would it cost? How would it be funded? (Be specific. It would be too vague to say “it would come from tax dollars.”)
Indicate which black legislator you chose. (As noted, they should correspond to the level of your proposed legislation (national, state, county or city level).
Indicate why that politician might be in favor of your proposed legislation. To demonstrate:
Use at least two specific examples of what the legislator stands for that are similar to your proposed legislation, such as:
Previous legislation they have voted for or sponsored (be specific);
Exact quotes and in-text citations from previous speeches or statements they’ve made about your issue or a similar one;
A specific quote or quotes from their website or press releases that pertain to your issue (not just broad, vague statements).
Also, when you introduce the black legislator you have chosen, do not just put in a general mini-biography of that person’s accomplishments. Please only use the information you found out about them that is pertinent to your proposed legislation.
Which specific set(s) of voters might support your proposed legislation or proposition, if it got on the ballot and why, specifically?
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