Assignment:
Current Event Summaries
Each current event assignment must be a minimum of 500 words in length, and based on a current news story having to do with American government and/or politics (note: "current" is defined as a having been reported during the time frame of the course). You must cite your reference (news story), as well as any other sources from which you use information in the writing assignment (note: there must be a parenthetical citation at the end of each sentence that contains information from a source). A works cited page must also be included, providing full bibliographic information for each of the references that is cited in the text of the paper. All cites and references must be formatted according to MLA style.
Current event papers must be formatted according to MLA style, for papers with no title page (see the following link to access an online resource for MLA style: In addition, please use Courier or Courier New 12 point as the paper's font, and ensure the assignment is double-spaced.
The current event paper should have the following elements:
• Provide a thorough, but brief, summary of a current political issue. The issue must be reported in a news story during the term of the course (this news story is one of the sources you will use for the paper). An understanding of the issue can be developed by reading additional articles or information on the topic. Be sure to properly cite within the text (according to MLA style) any information that you obtained from one of your sources. Citations must be provided, even for paraphrased information.
• Present your perspective on the political issue. Think critically about the topic discussed in the articles and clearly express your thoughts about it in writing. When writing your analysis, consider the eight standards for critical thinking (Paul and Elder, 2103): clarity, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, and fairness. Ask yourself questions, such as
1. How can I validate the accuracy of my statement?
2. How is this information relevant?
3. How does my conclusion address the complexities of the issue?
4. What is another interpretation or viewpoint of the issue?
5. Does my conclusion follow from the data and/or statements I have provided?
• Provide a works cited page, formatted according to MLA style, to provide full bibliographic information for each source cited within the essay.
There should be a direct correlation between the citations in the text of the paper and the entries in the works cited page. Each source cited in the paper should have an entry in the works cited page, and each entry in the works cited page should correspond to a source cited in the paper. Be sure to format the works cited page according to MLA style.
In addition to the above required elements, grading will take the following into consideration:
• Critical Thinking Skills: the extent to which you have engaged in critical thinking, innovation, and inquiry of a political issue, and has demonstrated analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information related to the political issue;
• Communication Skills: the extent to which you have effectively expressed ideas in writing;
• Personal Responsibility: the ability you have to develop opinions related to a political topic, and recognize the consequences of those choices and decisions;
• Social Responsibility: the ability you have to demonstrate civic responsibility and engagement by developing an understanding and perspective of a political issue that affects regional, national, and potentially global communities.