Guidelines for Your Modules 1 and 2 Essay Questions

Your Exam 1 Essay Question
In this course, we are focusing on comparing the public policies of developed democracies. The
world’s developed democracies are most commonly structured as either a parliamentary or a
presidential model of government. From the material that we’ve covered so far,
Would you argue that a parliamentary system or a presidential system is more supportive
of democratic governance?
In your response, please identify the main features of a liberal
democracy that a government should seek to support. Please articulate the main differences in
the institutional structure of a parliamentary (UK) and presidential (USA) system of government,
concentrating especially on the executive and legislative branches. Please conclude with your
argument for which of these two models is more likely to strengthen and support democratic
governance

Purpose
The essay questions test your comprehension, synthesis, and application of course concepts
through critical thinking and academic writing; the exam questions test your knowledge and
comprehension of your assigned reading material and class lecture/discussion materials.
Format
Do not repeat the question as part of your response. The format of this paper should be double-
spaced and in Times New Roman 12-point font with one-inch margins.
Here are some tips from undergraduate student essays I’ve graded in recent years:

• Make sure that you maintain an academic “tone” in your essays. You want to write in the
  third person to the extent possible. You want to use formal language and style (in contrast
  to conversational and informal communications). This is also not the right time to launch
  into passionate rants about things (even if I agree with you, you want to stay away from
  ranting in your academic writing).
• Please avoid submitting your essay as one long (and often rambling) paragraph. It will
  help with style and organization to divide up your arguments in logical chunks.
• Please make sure to proofread and use spell check!

Detailed Information on Your Use of Reference Materials
I expect that you will use resources and references from your textbook, the other assigned
readings, and lecture content when you are answering your essay questions. I expect that you
will refer to these sources of information when you are substantiating the arguments you are
making in your academic essays.
When you are writing these essays, I expect you to actively and purposively draw on course
content. Please do not write essays that express your opinion about the topic but do not integrate
course material. I will expect that you at the very least include five (5) explicit references to
the textbook, course reading, lecture materials, or other reference in each of the essays that
you submit.
In general, you should use in-text citations for your references as relevant, and I’m fine with any
format you prefer (e.g., Chicago, APA, MLA, etc); just be consistent. If you need to include a list
of your references, please do so by adding a page to the total assignment you submit, and list the
references alphabetically on this page (so, in this case, you’d be submitting a 6-page paper).
The most important thing is to very directly include content from the course. In grading, I’m
pretty flexible about the mechanics for how you do this. One way is to include in your writing
something like: “As discussed in Chapter 5 of the Dodds textbook…”. Another way is to refer
back to specific concepts, ideas, materials and sections of the textbook in your text by inserting
an in-text citation in parentheses at the end of the sentence: as in this example (Dodds, Chapter
5) or (Dodds 2019, 57) or even (Dodds p. 57). It’s fine if you use very simplified in-text
citations like this for purposes of these essays, especially if you’re not well-versed in using
Chicago, APA, or MLA style.
I’d like to ask that you please try hard to include references to readings when you are discussing
specific course content areas that support the arguments you are making in your essay. If in
doubt, include a reference – like the examples in the paragraph provided above – to indicate
where this information that supports your writing came from.

Grading
You will receive detailed feedback on the essays that you submit. The grading rubric that will be
used for your essays is provided below. Each essay is graded on a 100% scale, as explained
below. This total grade (expressed in points) is what is then entered into the Canvas gradebook.
Your grade on each essay will be determined by the quality of the Content, Style, Organization,
and Grammar/Conventions of your writing. These are the criteria used for grading:
An “A” grade, 90-100% — EXCELLENT. These are very high grades given for extremely

strong writing and analysis.

• Content – demonstrates an exceptionally strong understanding of material and a high
  level of critical analysis. Writing indicates a high level of engagement in the topic and
  innovative thinking.
• Style – exhibits a creative/original approach to the written assignment, and demonstrates
  an excellent academic writing style. Includes reference sources as applicable and
  flawlessly conforms to documentation format style. Writes with a strong academic style
  rather than an informal or conversational style.
• Organization – has compellingly constructed paragraphs that build a convincing, logical,
  and intentional progression. Writing includes introductory and concluding elements, as
  well as smooth transitions.
• Grammar/Conventions –no errors in grammar, punctuation, mechanics, or spelling. No
  awkward phrases, run-ons, or slang