ISSUE PAPER

ISSUE PAPER
Oklahoma City Community College
First, review the topics and choose one that interests you most. Once you have determined a
topic, begin to look for a couple of articles discussing the topic (You may need to read the
Chapter 14 to get an idea of what to look for).

ISSUE PAPER
Topics:

1. The state of Oklahoma should/should not consolidate its school districts.
2. The United States government should/should not reinstate the “net neutrality” laws
   approved by the Obama administration which were recently eliminated by the Trump
   administration.
3. The United States government should/should not offer citizens the option to manage the
   investment of their Social Security funds.
   Instructions:
4. Cite two articles. Each article should present a different argument for the policy area you
   have chosen. Acceptable sources are newspapers, magazines, or journals. This will take
   some thought and time, do not plan on doing a Google search and picking the first two
   articles you see.
5. The paper should include: key arguments of both perspectives, the evidence supporting
   each perspective, your analysis of each perspective, which perspective you support and
   why do you support this perspective?
6. This is a comparative paper, meaning you are going to be critiquing, comparing, and
   analyzing both perspectives of the policy issue. Only at the end of the paper should you
   explain why you favor one alternative over the other.
7. Helpful Hints: Be open-minded on the issue, argue each perspective with the same
   intensity, be detailed and highlight the differences and/or problems of each perspective.
8. Questions to ask yourself while writing the paper, what evidence supports this position?
   What evidence casts doubt on this policy position? Which of the two is the best
   alternative and why?
   The student’s final paper requirements are:
   a. An Introduction, approximately one-half to ¾ of a page in length, which
   generally introduces the issue and states the paper’s intent (THESIS).
   b. Approximately one page of facts arguing one side of the issue
   c. Approximately one page of facts countering the previous side of the
   issue discussed.
   d. Approximately one page of the student’s preferred policy position and
   a defense of their position.
   e. A conclusion
   **Failure to follow the above format will result in a penalty of at least 25
   points being deducted from the final paper grade.
   Students should not leave a space between sections of the paper. The above
   guidelines include suggested lengths only and may vary slightly from the actual
   lengths upon submission.
   The rough draft or notes used to construct the paper should be kept in case the professor has
   questions about the final paper. A student should keep the most important ideas, thoughts or
   drafts used to construct the paper until a final paper grade is received. This includes printed
   computer versions of the paper during construction.
   The paper must be 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, with 12 size font with one and one-half inch
   margins. A paper exceeding 5 typed, double-spaced pages will not be graded.
   Unacceptable research sources include encyclopedias, Point-Counter Point, Facts
   on File, Current Issues, Wikipedia, and Vital Statistics. Should a student have
   questions about this, they should ask the professor.
   EVERY SINGLE word written in this paper is to
   be the student’s own words. Any quoted material or facts must be appropriately cited!