Writing Assignment 2

Students will write an essay, 500-750 words in length, on a topic selected from the list below. The purpose of the project is to give students an opportunity to discuss a key political science concept, and to show a basic understanding of academic research and reporting skills. The project consists of producing a 500-750 work essay on one of the provided topics (see below), as well as a works cited page for sources containing information used in the essay. The assignment is to be formatted according to the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. Students should research this style in order to properly format the assignment; papers not formatted properly will not receive a passing grade.

Students should use Courier or New Courier 12 point as the paper’s font, double space the text, and create one inch margins on all four sides of the page. In addition, the assignment should be formatted according to MLA style for papers with no title page.

Please choose from one of the following topics for your writing assignment:

1. In Chapter 5, “Voting, Campaigns, and Elections,” the authors provide an in-depth discussion of voter turnout. Complete the following:
   • Explain how voter turnout is measured.
   • Compare voter turnout in the U.S. with that in other countries.
   • Describe the factors that affect the level of voter turnout in the United States.
   • Compare voter turnout in Texas to that in the United States as a whole.
   • Identify the historic and contemporary factors which have led to a culture of low voter turnout in Texas.
   • How do you think voter turnout could be increased in Texas?
2. Describe the use of campaign contributions by lobbies and explain the extent to which lobbying is regulated in Texas.
   • Identify the organization responsible for overseeing lobbying in Texas.
   • Compare regulation of campaign finance at the national and state level (in Texas).
   • What appears to be difference in approach between the two?
   • Which method do you believe is better for purposes of maintaining the integrity of the election process?
3. Describe the characteristics and functions of American political parties.
   • Explain the relationship between the national political parties and the state political parties.
   • Review the Texas Democratic Party platform and the Texas Republican Party platform and explain the differences.
   • Compare each state party platform to its national party platform counterpart and explain the differences between the national and state party platforms.
   • Why do you believe differences would exist between the national and state party platforms?

Submission Instructions:

• Complete your assignment using word-processing software such as MS Word, Open Office (download free software at http://www.openoffice.org/), or other per course requirements.
• Save your file as an .rtf file to ensure that it can be opened at any computer.
• Submit your assignment by selecting the writing assignment link in lesson 3, browsing to, and attaching your saved file from your desktop. Make sure to select SUBMIT. You may view your posting both on this page and under My Grades.

• Writing Assignment Rubric

• Description

• Rubric Detail

  	Levels of Achievement
  Criteria	Profient	Competent	Novice	Unsatisfactory
  Key ElementsWeight 25.00%	100 %Learner fully correlates and integrates key elements to substantiate thesis statement.	85 %Learner mostly correlates and/or integrates key elements to substantiate thesis statement.	60 %Learner partially or did not correlate and/or integrate key elements to substantiate thesis statement.	0 %Learner neither correlated nor integrated key elements to substantiate thesis statement.
  AnalysisWeight 25.00%	100 %Learner presented and substantiated a clear debatable claim.	85 %Learner mostly presented and/or substantiated a clear debatable claim.	60 %Learner partially or did not present and/or substantiate a clear debatable claim.	0 %Learner neither presented nor substantiated a clear debatable claim.
  Writing ConventionsWeight 25.00%	100 %Learner fully included and transitioned between a clear beginning, middle, and ending. No significant errors in grammar were evident.	85 %Learner mostly included and transitioned between a clear beginning, middle, and ending. Moderate errors in grammar may have been evident.	60 %Learner partially included and/or transitioned between a clear beginning, middle, and ending. Significant errors in grammar may have been evident.	0 %Learner neither included nor transitioned between a clear beginning, middle, and ending. Significant errors in grammar may have been evident.
  Citations/ReferencesWeight 25.00%	100 %Learner fully integrated and cited source material within evaluation.	85 %Learner mostly cited and integrated source material within evaluation.	60 %Learner partially integrated and/or cited source material within evaluation	0 %Learner neither integrated nor cited source material within evaluation.

1.Describe the valence bond (VB) approach to chemical bonding and the molecular orbital (MO) theory

Demonstrate hybridization of atomic orbitals for VB & MO

Correlate the molecular shape to the hybrid atomic orbitals of some central atoms.

Combine the concepts of hybrid orbitals, valence bond theory, VSEPR, resonance structures, and octet rule to describe the shapes and structures of some common molecules.

2.Let’s explore the scientific method. Here is the scenario: We are planting a garden. We have a variety of bulbs and potted plants. We do not have any directions on how or when to plant each of these items. We do not have any gardening books, magazines, or access to the Internet (Oh, the horror!). We need to observe a number of characteristics for these plants. What are some of the characteristics that we want to observe? What might be your initial hypothesis for growing these? How would you set up an experiment to test your hypothesis?  Identify the variables involved. Once you design your experiment, apply what you know about the scientific method to analyze the set-up of your classmate’s experiments. How would you modify their design and what questions would you ask? Make sure to come back to the discussions later to respond to the questions proposed by your classmates on your experiment.

I need may 2 short paragraphs on each task

Answer/address at least three of the questions/ideas listed below via the discussion forum for your section. The first entry must be a minimum of 250 words. You will not be able to view other responses until you have entered yours. At the top of the discussion entry include what was being rehearsed on the day of your observation. Please give the title and date of the choreography. Use full sentences and proofread your work for content, grammar, clarity and accuracy. We strongly suggest you do the assignment right after viewing so your memory will be fresh.

1) Briefly discuss your initial impressions of the dance as it was rehearsed. It may help you to use imagery or simile in describing what you watched.

2)Describe the kind of movement you saw. Did it remind you of anything else? Try to describe one particular moment in detail. Images and metaphor are helpful. Attempt to create a vivid image for the reader. For example, “one dancer traveled on a diagonal slashing his arm fiercely through the space as if clearing brush from a forest trail.” Or “She perched confidently on one leg like a flamingo standing at the water’s edge.” Or, “He stood absolutely still, frozen in space.”

3)How did the dancer or dancers relate to one another and the space in which they danced?

4)Notice the music/sound accompaniment and how it affected your perception and/or understanding of the dance.

5) Based on the information above, how would you interpret the meaning of the dance you observed? What did the dance communicate to you?

6) Who was rehearsing the dancers? How did he/she coach the dancers? Do you see any connections between how rehearsals are run and your dance classes?

7) Discuss the CDC rehearsal in relation to one or both of the topics below as discussed in the article by Muriel Topaz.

8) Discuss your reactions to the CDC rehearsal in general. Did you have any preconceived notions about what you would encounter? If so, were these ideas altered in any way by your experience with the dance and dancers?

Cultural differences and personality differences can impact cooperation. Team building is an important aspect of communication. Consider some aspects of culture and personality that may impact how people work together.

Research the importance of teamwork and the impact of personal and cultural differences on team building using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet.

Situation:

After you helped your company, Labolg, prepare for expansion into other countries, the chief operating officer (COO) approaches you and tells you that she feels the differences among team members is negatively affecting production. She asks if you have any ideas for productive ways to work with the differences in their organization.

Analyze the situation and prepare a recommendation for the COO. State any assumptions you make about the nature of differences in the team.

Write a two- to three-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards for writing style to your work. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M1_A3.doc.

By the due date assigned, deliver your assignment to the Submissions Area.