Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
- Textbook: Chapter 11
- Minimum of 4 scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook)
Instructions
You are a lobbyist for an issue that you find important. For example, you would like to see the banning of smoking in federal buildings (Note: This policy has already been enacted.) You are going to make an informational pamphlet to highlight your points to prominent members of Congress. Research members of Congress that you will target in your lobbying. Explain why these members are critical to your goal. Make a plan of action and produce a pamphlet supporting your cause. Who will you be reaching out to? Why? Write a cover letter to a Congressional member and include your reasoning for reaching out to them in particular in the letter. Remember a lobbyist is only as good as the information they provide. A lobbyist who provides incomplete or unreliable information will soon be unemployed, or lose access to officials.
Cover letter should:
- Follow a standard business format
- Correctly address your Congressperson
- Use the correct postal address
- Explain your choice to write to this representative in particular, and provide your pamphlet. For example, maybe your research showed that this representative sponsored legislation on this issue in the past.
Pamphlet should:
- Define the problem. Tells us exactly what the problem is. Detail its urgency and provide data. Be objective.
- Analyze the problem. Provide relevant data. Tell us how to make sense of the data. Provide any findings
- Offer a recommendation. Do not generalize. Be specific.
- Must be persuasive.
- Cite four scholarly sources
Submit your cover letter and pamphlet for grading.
Writing Requirements (APA format).
- Length: Cover letter to Congressman should be only 1 page
- Pamphlet should be 5 pages in length
- 1-inch margins
- 12-point Times New Roman font
- Reference page (minimum of 4 scholarly sources)
Grading
This activity will be graded based on the Assignment Grading Rubric.
Course Outcomes (CO): 2, 4, 6
Due Date: By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday
Rubric
POLI330 Week 7 Final Project Rubric (175 pts)POLI330 Week 7 Final Project Rubric (175 pts)CriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFollows a standard business format, correctly address congressperson, and, uses the correct postal address.10 ptsThe student follows a standard business format, correctly addresses congressperson, and uses correct postal address.6 ptsThe student follows a standard business format, but incorrectly identifies congressperson and/or address.0 ptsNo effort.10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExplains choice to write to this representative15 ptsThe student identifies and provides solid reasoning for writing this representative with evidence cited.10 ptsThe student identifies and provides good reasoning for writing this representative.5 ptsThe student identifies and provides some reasoning for writing this representative.0 ptsThe student does not identify and provide reasoning for writing this representative.15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePamphlet defines the problem40 ptsThe student defines the problem clearly and objectively with good detail and evidence.32 ptsThe student defines the problem clearly.20 ptsThe student does not define the problem clearly.0 ptsThe student does not define the problem.40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePamphlet analyzes the problem40 ptsThe student analyzes the problem clearly and objectively, and presents data and findings well.32 ptsThe student analyzes the problem, and presents some data and findings.20 ptsThe student analyzes the problem incompletely, failing to mention or thoroughly analyze relevant data and findings.0 ptsThe student did not analyze the problem or presents data/ findings.40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePamphlet recommendation40 ptsThe student offers a specific, detailed, persuasive recommendation.32 ptsThe student offers a specific recommendation.20 ptsThe student offers a general recommendation.0 ptsThe student did not offer a recommendation.40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA/Sources15 ptsThe assignment is referenced and formatted according to APA standards and four additional scholarly sources are provided.10 ptsThe assignment is referenced and formatted according to APA standards and three additional scholarly sources are provided.5 ptsThe assignment is referenced and formatted according to APA standards, and two addiotnal scholarly sources are provided.0 ptsNo APA style or format was used. No sources used.15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting15 ptsThe student presents information using clear and concise language in an organized manner (minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).10 ptsThe student presents information using understandable language, but is somewhat disorganized (some errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).5 ptsThe student presents information using understandable language but is very disorganized (many errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).0 ptsThe student presents information that is not clear, logical, professional or organized to the point that the reader has difficulty understanding the message (numerous errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and/or punctuation).15 pts
Total Points: 175
