2020
Writing POLI 1101
Term Papers
It takes hard writing to make easy reading.
-- Robert Louis Stevenson
If you have a new idea or an opinion on a social or political issue, then you have an essay in
you! What follows is not a comprehensive account of how to prepare and write college-level
research papers. If your research and writing skills need work, I strongly suggest you contact
the Learning Centre, enroll in a remedial writing course, and/or find extra sources on how to
write effective research papers. One of the best sources is The Political Science Writer’s
Manual on reserve at the College library. I hope you find the following advice helpful, and that
you submit good work.
This handout is intended for my political science courses, and students should always consult
with instructors concerning their expectations in other courses.
Basic Expectations
In creating, the only hard thing is to begin.
-- James Russell Lowell, editor, diplomat, poet
The department of political science expects students to engage in quality research and to
utilise appropriate academic sources. To this end, the range of suitable academic sources
for academic papers must include peer-reviewed materiels. It is expected that students
will use 4-5 academic books and 2-3 academic (or peer-reviewed) journal articles.
Students may also access newspapers, magazines, and web sites, but they are not
“academic” sources.
The use of internet information is a challenge: web sites change addresses, submerge into
other sites, and sometimes simply disappear. The other concern with internet sources
revolves around their accuracy and credibility. It is expected in an academic environment
that students will use critical reflection and sound judgment in their choice and use of
internet information. A good writer is always considerate of the reader’s needs and
provides sound information in a useful manner that gives ample reference to sources.
While occasional spelling errors or minor grammatical lapses will not affect the overall
grade of your paper, many such mistakes will, and grammatically or conceptually
incoherent papers will not pass. The main criteria or standards for grading papers are
clarity, conciseness, and coherence – the “Three Cs” – although sentence construction,
argumentation, and citation comprise a significant part of the overall grade. Students
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must make backups and/or photocopies of their course work, which can be submitted in
the event an assignment or essay is lost.
Essays must use the author-date Chicago style of citation.
● essays will be around 2250-2500 words (excluding the bibliography)
● they will be typed or printed, stapled, with a separate title page using a 12-point font
and double-spaced sentences
● they will have at least four to five academic books and two to three scholarly journal
articles (or other scholarly sources) in the bibliography; students who rely only on nonacademic sources (e.g., web pages) will automatically fail.
● the author-date Chicago style of citation is required. Papers that have neither in-text citation
nor a bibliography will receive a failing grade.
Since research papers are formal assignments, students should use third person pronouns
such as he, she, one, and they and eliminate the lazy use of pronouns such as this, that, it, and
which. Excessive use of this and it proves that students neither seriously edited their papers
nor gave much thought and attention to the presentation of their ideas. Another bad habit is
the use of contractions such as it’s, don’t, and you’re. Students should not use contractions in
formal, academic papers.
● use third person pronouns such as he, she, one, and they
● avoid the excessive use of pronouns such as this, that, it, and which
● do not use contractions such as it’s, don’t, and you’re
The Thesis Statement
The introduction needs a thesis statement that communicates your main idea, argument,
or position you will prove, defend, or illustrate. It is more than just a statement that
explains your goal or objective: the thesis statement is a valuable tool for you to focus
and provide direction to your paper. A well-argued paper is one in which your main thesis
is stated very clearly. If there is no thesis statement then the paper will not receive a
passing grade.
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A thesis statement is not merely a statement of fact. It is an idea, a claim, or an
interpretation that others may dispute. It should not be more than a sentence or two.
Your task as a writer is to persuade the reader in the body of the paper – through careful
use of examples and thoughtful analysis – that your argument is valid. If your introduction
is vague and tentative, you have a weak thesis statement.
Your next step is to identify the evidence and arguments with which you will support your
thesis statement. The main points that will be raised in the body of the essay should be
briefly stated in the introductory paragraph so the reader can follow your line of
reasoning.
Finishing the Assignment
Don’t write merely to be understood. Write so that you cannot possibly be
misunderstood.
-- Robert Louis Stevenson, writer
Omit needless words. Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no
unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a
drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.
-- William Strunk, Jr., writer and editor
Critically assessing your own ideas is one of the most difficult tasks involved in writing a
paper. You cannot reply to all objections, but it is possible to consider the main objections
to your arguments towards the end of the paper. If you have such objections in the back
of your mind while writing the paper then your own arguments will be stronger. To edit
your work well you need to see the paper as the reader will; you need to distinguish
between what you intended to write and what you wrote. Rigorous editing means the
paper will be well organised, well written, and well developed, and thus receive a good
grade. Most important of all: take pride in your work and you will derive satisfaction from
a job well done.
● for online help with grammar, visit www.bootstrapgrammar.ca
Students must submit their term papers to Turnitin before submitting their hardcopies to
the instructor. Those who do not will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment.
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Term Paper Evaluation (Sample)
Basic Requirements and Presentation
Paper length (e.g.,
approximately
2500 words)
Title page (e.g., a
proper title, course
information)
Bibliography (e.g., sources
properly presented using
Chicago style)
Font (e.g., a
standard 12-point
font)
Paragraphs (e.g.,
double-spaced,
indented)
Marks
/2
/2
/4
/1
/1
/10
Introduction, Thesis Statement, and Topic
Thesis statement
(e.g., clarity of
purpose and
direction)
Identification of main
issues (e.g., clear
explanation of basic
issues and problems)
Definitions (e.g.,
defined basic
concepts and/or
terms)
Scope (e.g., thesis
supportable and
appropriate to
topic/course)
Topic (e.g.,
comprehension and
understanding of
subject area)
Marks
/6
/5
/3
/1
/5
/20
Presentation, Content, and Argumentation
Grammar, Spelling
and Syntax (e.g.,
sentences clear,
appropriate use of
words, literate)
Argumentation (e.g.,
thesis developed,
systematic exposition of
ideas, coherence)
Use of theories,
terms, concepts, and
principles (e.g.,
comprehension,
appropriate usage)
Organisation (e.g.,
ideas and evidence
logically organised,
appropriate sentence
transitions)
Critical analysis
(e.g., independent
analysis or overly
descriptive?)
Marks
/8
/10
/7
/10
/10
/45
Conclusion and Research (Sources and Citation)
Conclusion (e.g.,
explanation of main
points and claims,
resolution of issues)
Consistency (e.g.,
conclusion consistent
with thesis and
argumentation)
Research (e.g.,
located appropriate
sources for topic)
Sources (e.g., 4-5
books/2-3 academic
articles, use and
integration)
Citation (e.g.,
proper Chicago
style, sufficient
citation)
Marks
/5
/2
/6
/6
/6
/25
Total Numeric
Grade
Letter
Grade
Students are encouraged to raise any additional
questions with the instructor, but only after they have
reviewed their papers in light of the grading criteria
above.
4
/100
Term Paper Topics
Introduction to Political Science
Students are to choose one of the following term paper questions for their term paper. These
topics are mandatory – that is, the instructor will not accept papers written on any other topic
unless students receive permission beforehand by the instructor.
It is also important to note the essay topics below are just that – topics. A topic is not a thesis
statement. Students will need to narrow their focus and derive more specific thesis statements.
Please see my handout on preparing and writing term papers for further explanation of the
thesis statement.
Government
1. What roles do municipalities (cities) play in governing? Should local governments (e.g., cities)
have greater authority, even constitutional recognition, in Canada?
2. Which is better: a parliamentary or a presidential system?
3. Should Canada replace the monarchy with an elected head of state?
Elections/Political Parties
1. Critically evaluate the roles political parties play in organizing political campaigns during
elections.
2. Some commentators have begun to critically question the prominence of polling during
elections. Examine the use of polling during elections, and critically assess their use.
3. Are regular elections the best way to ensure representatives do their jobs well? What other
methods could be used to enhance accountability?
4. Should voting be mandatory? Make a case for or against it.
5. Should Canada’s single-member plurality electoral system be replaced? If so, carefully
examine and critically support an alternative.
Democracy
Page 1 of 3
1. Is representative democracy a justifiable form of democracy?
2. Should extremist political parties be prevented from contesting elections?
3. Is democracy really the best form of government?
4. Is democracy consistent with a class-divided, unequal society?
5. Should democracies be secular?
Political Ideology
1. What is the relationship between liberalism and libertarianism?
2. How are communism and socialism different?
3. What are the central principles of modern conservatism? How would you assess its effects on
citizens and governance?
4. What does environmentalism have to say about the role of government?
5. Has feminism achieved its political goals in Canada?
6. In what instances and cases is it legitimate for the state to interfere with a citizen’s freedom
to live as s/he chooses?
Media/Socialization
1. What is the proper role of the mass media in a liberal-democratic society?
2. Should the study of politics and government be required in schools?
3. Why is political participation by citizens important?
4. What effects are social media having on politics and governing?
Interest Groups/Social Movements
1. Recent federal laws in Canada have restricted the freedom of interest groups to financially
contribute to political parties and their candidates. Are these laws justifiable?
2. Do interest groups enhance or undermine democratic politics?
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3. What are social movements? Use a case study approach to examine the ways they influence
governments.
International Governance/Politics
1. Examine the processes of political reform in some country (e.g., Japan, Mexico, Russia, China,
South Korea). What reforms were initiated? What were the goals and objectives? Were they
achieved? (NOTE: this topic must be limited to governing reforms of the last 20 years).
2. What obligations do Western countries such as Canada have to provide greater development
assistance to poor and developing countries?
3. What is political corruption? What can be done to reduce or limit political corruption? Select
a specific country for your study.
4. What can governments of poorer countries do to ensure their citizens are wealthier and
more prosperous?
5. How can countries that are non-democratic democratize? Do developed democracies have a
role to play to support such initiatives?
Policy-Making
1. Should the welfare state in Canada be reduced or expanded?
2. What is “privatization?” Should services provided by the public (government) sector be
contracted out to private businesses?
3. Have federal and provincial governments properly managed Canada’s natural resources?
4. Critically examine the Canadian federal government’s fiscal and taxation policies.
5. In what ways might global governance support (or challenge) democratic political life in a
country like Canada?
6. Critically assess the proposal to provide a guaranteed basic income.
7. Using a case-study and country-specific approach, examine and assess policy responses to
terrorism.
Page 3 of 3
Mandatory Voting: The Time Has Come
Political Science 1101-005
Douglas College
Shellie Santolla (0234XXXXX)
7 November 2019
Word Count: 2565
In the most recent Canadian federal election of October 2019, 65.95% of eligible voters
cast a ballot. The voter turnout rate for the October 2008 federal election was 58.8%, the
lowest in the history of Canadian national elections. Closer review of voter turnout rates reveals
the percentage of Canadians voting in federal elections has been declining noticeably since
1993, although the past two elections have seen modest improvement. Has the time come to
seriously consider mandatory voting? There was a debate in the Canadian House of Commons
in 1891 over mandatory voting, but no legislative response. More recently, the Canadian Senate
published a report urging the federal government to implement mandatory voting for national
elections. Despite opposition to mandatory voting in Canada, it is not a radical proposal. Many
of the world’s democracies, such as Brazil, Greece, and Peru compel their citizens to vote.
Mandatory voting should be implemented to ensure Canadian voters are more informed and
better represented in our parliaments.
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