Paper Requirements:
Quality of Paper
The kind of papers you will be writing in MS&E 290 are policy analysis
papers. They are distinct from advocacy pieces in that you give a balanced
analysis of a policy decision first. After that is done, then you may make your
recommendation based on your own judgment. When trying to decide what to put
into your analysis, place yourself in the position of the decision-maker for
whom you are working. What would that decision-maker want to know to make an
informed decision?
The meat of your analysis should consist of the following:
- Need/Demand Characterization: What is the need/demand? Why are we considering this decision? Why is it
significant?
- Capabilities Comparison: Effectiveness of the different policy options in dealing with the
need/demand (or threat).
- "Politics": How does the decision fit into the web of institutional and personal
relations of the parties affected.
Finally, you will want to make a recommendation based on your analysis. In
putting forward a recommendation, you will be making judgments about the
information presented in the analysis. You should explain what your judgment is
and why.
A good policy analysis paper covers each of the following areas (the
weighting given to each section will vary depending on the topic):
- Issue Definition: The policy decision is articulated and its significance
is established.
- Background: All background information (technical, political, etc.)
necessary to place the decision in its proper context is given.
- Policy Options: The various policy options that the decision-maker must
decide between are presented and described.
- Policy Analysis: The pros and cons of each option are explained. The value
trade-offs implicit in choosing one option over another are explained.
- Recommendation: Based on the analysis, a recommendation is made. The
biases and judgment factors that went into the recommendation should be
explained. You should summarize your recommendation concisely at the very
start of your paper.
The grading will focus on the following key qualities:
- Appropriateness: The paper should precisely address the issue.
- Clarity: The overall clarity of thought and expression.
- Assertion vs. Proof: The paper should be based on a
logical argumentation and must not be a mere juxtaposition of statements.
- Grammar, spelling
- Format: Consistency with the format guidelines.
Technical Details:
The papers are limited to approximately 250-300 words per page and must have
separate title pages. Double-spacing is required. We recommend using Times New
Roman size 12 font with at least 1-inch margins in all directions (left, right,
top, and bottom).
Outside of the page limit, please have a cover sheet with the following
information:
- Name
- Student ID
- If you are willing to present your
- Team composition.
- A Word Count
Late Assignments:
All late assignments will be penalized. For each day that the assignment is
late, we will deduct a grade down. For example, an A will become an A- if the
paper is one day late, a B+ if it is two days late, and so on. Saturdays and
Sundays are considered late days. If a paper is one day late, it must be turned
in before 5pm the following day. After 5pm, the paper is two days late.
Similarly, if a paper is two days late, it must be turned in before 5pm two days
after the due date.
Examples:
Here are some examples of papers from last year's class: Example1.