GOVT 2305 Reflection Paper

This paper accounts for 10% of your final grade
Overview
• Format: 1.5-page minimum double space of written literature (excludes title page). The
writing must fill 1.5 pages or points will be deducted (~5-20 points). A good paper will be
more towards 2.5-3 pages with thorough explanation.
• Submission Rule: It must be submitted as a Word document ONLY (no PDFs, RTF,
Pages, Google Drive, or Cloud links) due to the SafeAssign software. You will be sent an
email with a limited time frame to re-submit for a 20-point deduction. You will receive a
zero if you miss the allotted time. This also applies to papers that are submitted as a blank
page.
• Due Date: May 1, 2022 at 11:59 PM under the “Written Assignment” folder in
Blackboard. The paper will be run through SafeAssign (See details below). I do check the
time stamp and anything after 11:59 PM (even one second after) is considered late. I do
not accept late assignments.
Components of the Paper
• Title Page
o Include your name, GOVT 2305, a unique title, semester, professor name, and date
of your submission
o The title page can just be centered in the middle of the page – nothing fancy
o You will receive a 10-point deduction if you do not have a title page
• Paper Components
o Paragraph 1: Introductory paragraph. The introductory paragraph must be at least
3-5 sentences long. Within your introductory paragraph, you will need a clear and
concise thesis statement that outlines out your paper. Failure to have an adequate
introductory paragraph will result in a major point deduction.
o Paragraph 2: Present a topic you studied this semester that you found most
interesting and/or important. You must first extensively explain the topic (i.e.
definition or process). You will then explain why you found the topic interesting
and/or important. Be very clear in your writing full of examples to fully compliment
the rubric. Simply do not just regurgitate information
o Paragraph 3: Present a DIFFERENT TOPIC you studied this semester that you
found most interesting and/or important. You must first extensively explain the
topic (i.e. definition or process). Again, you will then explain why you found the
topic interesting and/or important. Be very clear in your writing full of examples to
fully compliment the rubric. Simply do not just regurgitate information
o Paragraph 4: You will repeat the process from paragraph 2 with a completely
different topic than paragraphs 2 and 3. Again, you will then explain why you found
the topic interesting and/or important. Be very clear in your writing full of examples
to fully compliment the rubric. Simply do not just regurgitate information
o Paragraph 5: Conclusion paragraph. . Be sure to have a good conclusion that is
at least 3-5 sentences long. Failure to include a conclusion paragraph will result in
a 15-point deduction.
Rules for Paragraphs 2-4
• Per the instructions, you will have You will have THREE different paragraphs in all with
a different topic for each. The subjects cannot be closely related (i.e. New Federalism,
Cooperative Federalism, and Dual Federalism…1
st
, 2
nd, and 3rd Amendments) because I
want to see that you have learned.
• The subjects should be specific and not broad. For instance, you cannot write about how
the rights for criminal defendants are important. Instead, focus specifically on cruel and
unusual punishment.
• The three subject areas you discuss MUST be from GOVT 2305. Use your notes as a
guide. Don’t use topics from Module 4. If you do, I assume you are cheating since we
will not have been over the material by the time the paper is due.
o You have to be very careful here if you use the textbook as a guide because it
does include topics from 2305.
General Advice
• Your written assignment should be typed and double spaced with a 12-point New Times
Roman font and one-inch margins top, bottom, and side
o There will be a 5-point deduction if you do not use New Times Roman
o If you use inappropriate margins, I will set it to one-inch and take deductions off
if it does not meet page length requirements. Deductions can range from 5-20
points.
• Correct grammar, capitalization, and complete sentences is a crucial aspect of the grading
rubric
o You may write in 1st person since this is a reflective assignment.
o All formal laws, acts, amendments, and branches of the government are always
capitalized – Supreme Court, Second Amendment, The Civil Rights Act of 1965 –
as examples.
• Do not over think. This assignment really is THAT EASY!!!!! I look for critical thinking
and through explanation.
Academic Honesty
• You do not need to use any sources. This is a pure reflection of the class. I want
everything in your OWN WORDS – not from the Internet, textbook, etc.
• Please do not copy and paste or use someone else’s work. Doing so will result in an
automatic zero.
• Your paper will be submitted to the plagiarism software embedded in Blackboard. Please
do not cheat! I will give a zero.