Syracuse University Public Affairs Department

PAF 101 Newsletter

Issue 3

Module 3 due November 2^nd!!!

“How You Can Help…Yourself”

Remember!

• Don’t confuse societal problems with policies.
• Don’t confuse causes with effects.
• Review your previous modules for corrections on formatting.
• Clearly label and attach all articles directly behind the ENTIRE EXERCISE that they are first used in.
• Some of the exercises specify that only the first page of the article should be attached.
• Make sure your writing is as clear and brief as possible.
• A newspaper article should be from a published newspaper. CNN.com and similar websites do not count!
• Modules are due at the beginning of class. Any module turned in after 12:50 is considered late! You will lose five points.
• If you have questions contact your TA by email or attend any TA’s office hours but always check your Maxwell Manual.
• DO NOT STRESS. If you start early and do not procrastinate, you should finish your module with lots of time to check it over!

Exercise 5.1

· Make sure your geographic location is local (county, city, town, village, school district).

· Make sure the effects are realistic, logical, and are not redundant.

· Make sure to include “too high” or “too low” in your problem.

· Make sure your problem is not for Syracuse University.

· Remember, bad policies are NOT societal problems.

Exercise 5.2

· Make sure you do not forget to internally cite personal communications, but these should NOT be on your References page.

· Make sure you do not write over 4 sentences when directed to do so.

· Use Chapter 16 to help you format the graph. Check chapter alignment.

· If you need help making the graph, step by step instructions can be found in the downloads section of the class website. It is labeled “How to Make a Trendline Graph”.

· If you are still having trouble you can attend any TA’s office hours for help.

· Make sure you have a source for the data in your graph.

· Format the graph based on figure 5.2 on page 61 in The Maxwell Manual

· Be sure to have the correct shading and gridlines (no color).

· Use academic years (ex. 2008-2009) if you are using an education policy.

· DON’T forget to label the title and both axis.

· DON’T include gridlines!

· DON’T include a legend!

· DO include your source!

Exercise 5.3

· The causes and sources can be general and not specific to your local area.

· Make sure you choose the 4 MOST SIGNIFICANT causes.

Exercise 5.4

· The policy MUST be in effect in your local geographic area, however it can ORIGINATE at any governmental level (local, state, national).

· Make sure you know the difference between administrative and legislative actions. Definitions can be found on pg. 6 in The Maxwell Manual.

Exercise 5.5

· The business and non-profit do not need to be specific to your local area.

· Make sure to quote ONLY ONE FULL SENTENCE.

Exercise 5.6

· Make sure to include a full sentence quote from an article.

· The article must be published within the last 6 months.

· DO NOT SIMPLY SUMMARIZE THE ARTICLE.

· The article must be on your societal problem!

Exercise 6.1

· Be sure to distinguish between effectiveness and feasibility (use The Maxwell Manual for clarification).

· There should be a total of only two sentences.

Exercise 6.2

· NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN IF YOU PROPOSE A POLICY THAT ALREADY EXISTS!!

· Make it clear which policy is superior.

· You may choose to change an existing policy that is at the local level.

· Make sure the alternative policy can be implemented in one or more agencies that have direct authority in the geographic area your policy targets.

· Be sure to distinguish between effectiveness and feasibility!

Exercise 6.3

· Make sure you record the full search statement.

· Write only ONE COMPLETE sentence.

Exercise 6.4

· Most students lose points on the Reference Page, so be sure to follow the APA

Guidelines on the PAF101 website to help with correct formatting and citations.

· Don’t forget to write the word ‘References’ before listing your sources.

· Always double space the reference page.

· Make sure all references are listed in alphabetical order.

· Remember to have a hanging indent should your references exceed one line.

· There should be no hyperlinks for websites.

Any questions or suggestions concerning the newsletter should be emailed to Jessica Kitzman, the Newsletter Editor, at jkkitzma@syr.edu