Step 1: Select an issue that is important to you, your community, or to Americans in general. If you reside in the United States, your community could be your geographical community (e.g., your neighborhood, town, or city) or the broader state or national community. If you do not reside in the United States, your community could be a group with shared characteristics with whom you identify. The essay should be about Gun Violence and how how government officials are addressing the issue within the United States or as a matter of U.S. public policy. A total of ~1500 words.
Sources must be cited! Step 2: Find and read at least five articles from newspapers, magazines, or other online sources that highlight the government’s response to the issue. It is important that your articles do not only describe the issue or present opinions on the issue from general members of the public. Look for sources that communicate how government officials in the United States have responded or are responding to the issue. You will be asked to identify government officials by name in your articles.
Consider:
- In the U.S. federal system, which level of government (local, state, or national) or branch (executive, legislative, judicial) is responsible for addressing the issue? Is there more than one? Explain your reasoning. Be sure to include evidence from the U.S. Constitution and from the course to support your explanation.
- Identify all of the government officials discussed in your sources. Include their names and the level of government and agency that the officials represent. For example, are they a member of Congress? A city council member? Or a member of a federal, state, city, or county agency?
- How have these government officials attempted to address the issue? Describe their actions, citing evidence from all five articles or other online sources with in-text citations. For help understanding how and when to include in-text citations, see Section D “Additional Resources” (below).
- In your opinion, has the government done a good job addressing the issue? Why or why not? What more should be done, and by which level of government?
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- Use a readable 11- or 12-point font.
- All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
- Composition must be original and written for this assignment and all writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
- The suggested total word range is 1500-2500 words. Submissions should not exceed 6,000 words.
- Submissions that focus on non-U.S. governments will be returned.
- Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.