Assignment 2

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to stimulate student participation in the 2008 presidential election. By researching a topic of debate relevant to the upcoming election, you will become more familiar with some of the national issues, which will hopefully urge you to become more active by the time November rolls around. Additionally, this assignment will provide you with practice in the following areas: researching a topic, utilizing several outside sources to support your position, and writing your paper and citing your sources according to the proper MLA format. Moreover, you will become familiar with the definition and argumentation rhetorical methods of writing.

Prompt: Let’s make the political personal! Voting time is around the corner and it is time to research the noteworthy issues that are shaping political platforms. Correspondingly, you must select one (1) of the numerous nationally significant issues that will be tackled in the 2008 elections and thoroughly research the topic. Then, clearly define and argue your position on the issue in a 4-7 page essay. You must support your argument with at least three (3) reasons/points—each of which must be listed in your plan of development. In your position paper, you must also stress which of the presidential candidates champions the same position. Please note that since this is a research project, you must use one (1) primary source and four (4) secondary sources to support your position (Wikipedia is not an appropriate academic source).

 You may choose a topic from the following list or one that you discovered on your own.

 ó     Stem-cell Research

ó     Military Spending

ó     War in Iraq

ó     Universal Healthcare

ó     Campaign Finance Reform

ó     Lobbying Reform

ó     Social Security

ó     Taxes (you must specify)

ó     Gay/Lesbian Marriage

ó     Flag Burning

ó     Abortion

ó     Teaching Creationism

ó     Public Funding for Abstinence /Sex Education

ó     Foreign Relief Aid

ó     Domestic Relief Aid