5 paragraphs

5 paragraphs
5 sentences per paragraph
Hatchet

Mid-termpaper

Essay Questions: (choose one)

1) Can social capital be created, and what is the implication of this for the rebuilding of failed states? (include at least one example to support your claim)

2) Are some types of authoritarian regimes more durable than others? (refer to at least three types of authoritarian regimes in your answer, and provide at least one example to support your claim)

Guidelines for writing the paper:

Each student is to answer one of the two above questions. The paper should reflect a well-reasoned argument of one of these topics. The answer should draw on the theoretical background to the topic, as well as include empirical examples to illustrate the student’s argument.

Each student is required to use three academic sources in their answer. One source is the textbook (Hague and Harrop), the second is the use of one of the two readings posted on the website under “Mid-Term Paper”, and the third is your choice.

References are required (either footnotes or in-text citations), and the citation style is your choice (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc). However, whatever citation style you choose to use, please be consistent!

5 tips for writing your mid-term paper in Introduction to Government:

1) Make sure to answer the question being asked: This may sound simple, but in fact answering the question being asked is the most important part of writing a good essay. A good way to do this is to rephrase the question at the outset of your answer.

Take a hypothetical question: ‘Can we rebuild failed states?’ Your essay might start with ‘In this essay, I argue that we cannot rebuild failed states’. You would then state your argument’s supporting points (two or three). This technique will help you to stay on topic, because you can structure your answer just by answering the question.

2) Don’t ‘over research’: This paper requires a well-thought out argument, but
does not require a large amount of outside research
. The relevant course readings from the textbook (Hague and Harrop Government and Politics: An Introduction), plus the reading we supply (see moodle for the articles- one for each essay), and one additional reading of your choice, should be sufficient to write an excellent essay. In addition, on the moodle we have provided a number of articles that you may want to use as reference in answering your question.

You do not need to find 10 additional sources, in fact, the more sources you find the more difficult it sometimes is to write a straightforward argument that does not exceed the page limitation (7 pages max).

3) Use examples! Backing up your argument with illustrative examples is a very important research technique. This means that in answering both of the theoretical questions listed above, make sure you support whatever argument you choose to make with relevant examples.

Again, let’s look at our hypothetical example:

Question: ‘Can we rebuild failed states?’

Answer: ‘I argue in this essay that we cannot rebuild failed states, because failed states usually have long histories of ethnic conflict and internal stability is impossible to achieve because of past atrocities and societal conflict.’

Possible examples you could use in the essay: Sudan, Somalia, and Lebanon

4) Try not to exceed the page limit given for the essay: This is a relatively short essay (7 pages maximum) and you should try not to exceed the page limit.

A good 5-6 page essay is structured according to the following components: an introduction, which introduces the topic, states your argument and tells the reader what you main points are; a number of body paragraphs (between 4 and 6) which develop the main points that support your argument; and a conclusion, which sums up what you have already said. Giving a lot of background detail on the topic, or providing too many examples, will not necessarily improve your essay, and might weaken your argument.

5) Proof read and spell-check: One of the most important things you can do to improve your essay is to make sure you don’t have spelling or grammar mistakes. A good essay is a clear essay. You don’t have to use fancy or complicated language, but your sentences should be structurally correct and you should use proper paragraph structure and punctuation.

References for the two additional required articles which are provided for you:

For the question on social capital:

Putnam, Robert. (1995) “Bowling Alone,” Journal of Democracy, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 65-78.

For the question on authoritarian regimes:

Hadenius, Axel, Teorell, Jan. (2007) “Pathways from Authoritarianism,” Journal of Democracy, Vol 18, No. 1, pp. 143-157.

Criteria for marking mid-term paper (grading scheme):

Clarity of argument: 30%

· Clear thesis statement which addresses the question being answered

· Argument made through relevant supporting points

Content: 55%

· Definitions provided when required by argument

· Argument supported/backed up by facts and citations

· Theoretical argument made through reference to Hague and Harrop, article provided on course website, additional academic sources

· Empirical argument- relevant case examples chosen, logically organized within essay

Organization/syntax: 10%

· Correct essay format- introduction/conclusion, supporting paragraphs organized by topic

· Correct spelling, logic/clarity of sentence structure

· Total length of essay within page limit, double spaced

Citations: 5%

· Proper citation style, used consistently (either footnotes or in-text citations)

· Use of correct number of academic sources (at least three)

· Complete bibliography- all academic sources listed correctly

Submission instructions:

· The term paper is 30% of final grade

· The paper is to be maximum 7 pgs in length, double spaced, to be submitted in 12 point font (preferably Times New Roman), with normal margins

· Those who do not hand in the mid-term paper are ineligible to take the final exam

· No late submissions (except with doctor or other official written confirmation) will be excepted

· The paper needs to be submitted to the Cheder Avodot by December 16th 2012, at 18:00.

· No e-mailed papers will be accepted

Good luck!