General Instructions: Each student must write a 1-page letter about a current state policy issue. Detailed Instructions: Your paper must be directed to any member of the Texas legislature (31 senators and 145 representatives) and should address a controversial state policy issue. I recommend that your paper begin with an introduction that clearly states 1) the bill/issue you are addressing, 2) the action you are urging the senator/representative to take, and 3) your reason for urging a particular action. Your letter must rely upon facts and ideas presented in class, your textbook, and at least five valid external sources (e.g., articles from national or state newspapers/news magazines or from a database). The purpose of this assignment is for each student to create a paper that is personal (your paper expresses your thoughts and feelings about the issue) and well researched (your paper relies upon concepts, facts, and arguments from valid sources to make a convincing case for or against your bill/issue). Things to consider: Of the state policy issues in the news, which are you most interested in? Can I narrow the issue to something very precise, rather than something very broad? (If yes, your task will be much easier.) What position do I believe a senator/representative should take on the bill/issue? What position do others (pundits, party leaders, the president, interest groups, etc.) think should be taken on the bill/issue? (For the latter, basing your argument on knowledgeable, informed people will help you be more informed and persuasive.) To explore your bill/issue, you will benefit most from issue coverage in newspapers and news magazines. I recommend daily reading of both (e.g., the Washington Post, Time, Texas Tribune) and use of newspaper search tools through the UTA library, as well realclearpolitics.com, Politico.com and thehill.com. Academic journal articles are strongly encouraged, whereas television news stories are not. For academic articles visit UTA’s library’s site for political science at http://libguides.uta.edu/az.php?a=p&s=9586 A properly formatted references page must be attached to your letter, though in-text citations (e.g., Boyea 2016) are not necessary. Please consult a college-level style manual if you are uncertain about the format (I use the Chicago Manual of Style, but UTA’s IDEAS Center and Writing Center can also provide advice). Use of Websites: Many sites on the internet are venues for biased, uninformed view points (e.g., blogs). If you wish to use a non-newspaper website as a reference for your letter, you are required to 1) visit the IDEAS Center or Writing Center or consult a style manual to consult how to correctly cite the website; and 2) provide at least two lines of information (after the citation on the reference paper) that supply evidence about the legitimacy of the organization or person. Ask yourself, does this seem like a valid and informed source? (If no, then do not use.)