SOCIAL POLICY ANALYSIS PAPER:
The policy paper will be structured by the completed worksheets and should incorporate the feedback given to you by the instructor. The paper MUST read as a narrative summary NOT a reiteration of information. The final paper will show your understanding and integration of the policy area of interest. The final paper must include ALL questions reflected in ALL worksheets. You must add an Introduction that includes your thesis statement in bold and a Conclusion that considers your interpretation of the policy, its benefits/limitations, and any recommendations for modifications that you would make. In addition, you must include a paragraph as to the pedagogical importance of your policy analysis to the social work profession.
The paper should be 6-8 pages (cover page, bibliography, and outline are not counted towards the page requirement) typed and double spaced in APA format. An abstract is not needed for this assignment. The final policy paper is on Canvas on/or before 10:00pm on Monday 4/25. A grace period will NOT be given for this assignment and any paper received after the due date will receive a 25-point deduction before review of assignment.
A policy topics list is provided on pgs. 21 and 22 for students to choose their 1st and 2nd choice and post it on Canvas on/or before Wednesday 2/2 by 10:00pm. Please be advised that policy topics are on a first- come, first-served basis and there will be no duplication of any policy topic. Assignment meets Core Competencies: (CC 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 9.2, and 9.3).
Remember that your social policy analysis paper is not an opinion paper; it should reflect the documented ideas of scholars and academics studying and doing research on social problems not your own personal opinions. Your personal opinions are very important but are not an appropriate part of the research process.
Note: Please limit your use of direct quotes of others and always use our own words to describe others’ ideas and give credit to the authors for their ideas by citing them in the text of the paper; all ideas must be cited, and all citations must be referenced on the bibliography page. Do not extensively copy an author’s material verbatim or with minor changes; this is technically cut-and-paste plagiarism and is profoundly unacceptable.
FORMAT FOR POLICY PAPER:
• Outline
• Introduction (thesis statement in bold)
• Historical background
• Talking point #1
• Talking point #2
• Talking point #3
• Conclusion (include interpretation of policy, benefits/limitations, recommendations for modifications, and pedagogical importance to the field of social work)
Note: The paper MUST read as a narrative summary NOT a reiteration of information.
FORMAT FOR OUTLINE:
• Introduction heading
• Historical background heading
• Talking point #1 heading
• Talking point #2 heading
• Talking point #3 heading
• Conclusion heading
Introductory paragraph: First impressions are so important. How many times have you heard that? It is true that the first impression – whether it’s a first meeting with a person or the first sentence of a paper – sets the stage for a lasting opinion. The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers. In a well-constructed first paragraph, that first sentence will lead into three or four sentences that provide details about the subject or your process you will address in the body of your paper. These sentences should also set the stage for your thesis statement, which is generally the last sentence of your introductory paragraph.
In summary, your introductory paragraph should contain the following:
– An attention-grabbing first sentence
– Informative sentences that build to your thesis statement
– The thesis statement, which makes a claim or states a view that you will support or build upon
Thesis statement: Some points for a good thesis statement are: (i) A good thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what will be discussed in a paper and should be supported with specific evidence, (ii) The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper, and (iii) A thesis statement should be revised once a paper is written to reflect exactly what was discussed within.
BIBLIOGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS:
• Literature to be used – minimum of 7 references (3 books and 4scholarly articles). Note: For
each reference utilized; students MUST provide a brief synopsis
• NO WIKIPEDIA SOURCES
• References MUST be approved before being utilized in your paper
• All internet sources MUST be approved being utilized in your paper (REMEMBER,
ANY SOURCES NOT APPROVED WILL NOT COUNT TOWARDS THE REQUIRED
• REFERENCES)
• Do NOT use popular magazines, newspaper articles, encyclopedias, or the course textbook as
references. Please rely strictly on academic journals and resources for references.
Note: Please be advised that for every day the assignment is late, there will be a 3-point deduction taken, which will be factored into the final assignment grade. Assignment meets Core Competencies: (CC 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 9.2, and 9.3).
