Refer to “Contemporary Issue Paper Requirements” at the top of the Modules page to review all requirements for the Contemporary Issue Papers.
Refer to the document “Contemporary Issue Paper Topics” at the top of the Modules page to see the topic choices for your Contemporary Issue Papers.
Choose a different topic than contemporary issue paper 1
Upload a document for the Contemporary Issue Papers.
See the document “Contemporary Issue Paper Topics” in the Modules section for the topic choices for each of the Contemporary Issue Papers. Feel free to focus on a sub-topic or issue within the broader topic choices.
Contemporary Issue Paper Requirements
These assignments are intended to draw on your ability to research, analyze and critically examine a contemporary topic, including the research that has been conducted on the topic. You must not simply describe someone else’s work (opinions or research) but use it to present a position you have on the topic and critically analyze an opposing (alternate) position.
The sections below are the areas you will be graded on and must appear in your paper with proper section headings. You are also graded on the overall influence of your argument and finally, the paper format which includes proper citations and references.
Introduction:
Introduce the topic overall AND identify it as a contemporary issue (think of the history/background, recent events, stats, whatever you choose to include).
The introduction must also identify and briefly describe your position on the topic (ex. for or against or alternatively, your perceptions of a topic if there is no clear opposite positions). The introduction must also identify and describe the alternative (opposing) position you will discuss.
Position:
In this section you are arguing that the topic is a contemporary issue and your view helps argue why it is.
You should make the argument for your position (what you believe/think) on the topic. You will want to state your position/views. Identify THE one or two BEST strengths of your position and discuss why they strengthen your position. You want to communicate that you understand your position and that it is supported by evidence (cited) that are facts by relying on research/data that is available. The evidence you provide helps communicate that you can support your position/belief through reason and logic instead of relying solely on explaining you hold your position because of familial views, peer pressure, social ideology or some other error in reasoning.
Alternate Position:
In this section, you should identify an argument against your position. What is another position essentially on your topic?
Identify THE strongest alternative position in contrast to your own and present it. Provide a brief overview of the position and support that position also with evidence (research/data) that has been conducted. Identify one or two strengths of this position and discuss why they strengthen the position. This section should be written similar to your Position section with the only difference being that it presents an alternative viewpoint.
Conclusion:
The final section should summarize your entire paper and conclude your position.
Also describe why arguments against your position do or do not influence your position (does it make you change perspectives or at least better understand the alternative perspective/argument?).
References:
Minimum 4 (better papers have more) strong and unbiased sources that serve as and are included as citations in your paper to support your discussion and the points you make. News articles, webpages, social media stories are NOT credible or unbiased sources that support your points and are not counted toward the minimum. They can be included and used to illustrate however.
Format Notes:
8 pages minimum to maximum of 10. Papers should fill the entire page minimum. Papers at 7 1/4, 7 1/2 pages are not acceptable and will be considered incomplete and not graded. (We have to meet the writing intensive requirement).
Double-spaced
12 point font.
Citations should be placed throughout the paper as needed using APA format style. (This is where students lose points). Make sure you cite all data/ideas/etc that are not yours or you use to support your points.
Reference page must be included and is not included in page count.
No title/cover page.
Below are the list of topic choices you may research and write on for each respective Contemporary Issue Paper. Each topic has a range of flexibility for associated topics so be sure to read more info at the bottom of this page.
Contemporary Issue Paper Topics
Contemporary Issue Paper 1: Gun Violence Human Trafficking
Juvenile/Youth Issues Media