Professor Chester

IAFS 4500

Short Policy Paper Guidelines

In 5-7 pages, offer a policy-oriented analysis (that is, a report making policy recommendations) based on your research on a current issue in South Asian affairs.  Submit it to Turnitin.com by 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 4.

You must state your argument—the specific policy you recommend—clearly in the first paragraph.  Your research must draw on at least five scholarly (i.e. peer-reviewed) sources.  You must use proper citation (either footnotes or parenthetic citation) and provide a bibliography.  Top-notch papers will also consider potential objections to your proposal.  See the course website for model policy analyses <http://www.colorado.edu/history/chester/IAFS4500PaperOne.htm>.

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A paper with these characteristics . . .                                  . . . will fall into this range

Clear, thoughtful, non-obvious argument                                               A

Acknowledgement and analysis of alternative arguments

Excellent analysis

Excellent grammar and style

Complete, properly formatted citations

Clear argument                                                                                     B

Leaning towards description rather than analysis

Good grammar and style

Minor problems with citations

Lack of clear argument                                                                         C

Lack of adequate analysis

Problems with grammar and style

Significant problems with citations

No argument                                                                                        D

Major problems with grammar and style

Major problems with sources

Lack of any identifiable organization                                                      F