Political Party Project
“A party of order or stability, and a party of progress
or reform, are both necessary elements of a healthy
state of political life”
-- John Stuart Mill (1859)
Which One of the Two Major Political Parties are you More
Likely to Support?
The purpose of this project is to help you to determine what the
beliefs of the two dominate American political parties are.
During the next two weeks you will research the platforms of the
two major parties and formulate your own opinion on a variety of
important political issues.
You will then use your research to write an essay about what you
have learned. Choosing five of the ten issues, write an essay with a
body paragraph for each issue. Follow the “Political Party Grade
Formula’ at the end of this packet to structure your paper.
Party Definitions and the Political Spectrum
Directions:
In the table below, define each of the terms listed in the left-hand column. You may use either your
government book or the online resources to complete the list. Be prepared to use these terms
appropriately in classroom discussions and your own writing.
Key Term
political party
major party
minor party
partisanship
bipartisan
plurality
party in power
incumbent
electorate
Definition
What Does Each Party Believe?
What Do YOU Believe?
Each of the major political parties has a specific belief on each of the issues
listed below. Your assignment is to use the internet or other resources to
determine the beliefs of each party. In the appropriate column, write the
party’s stance and list the source used to determine it. You must use at least
five (5) different sources. In the final column, jot down your beliefs. They may be
similar to one of the parties, they may be different than both parties, or they may be a
combination of both. This worksheet a pre-writing assignment designed to help you prepare for
your final persuasive paper. Each issue is worth 10 points for a total of 100 points.
The Death Penalty
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
Abortion
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
Immigration
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
Same Sex Marriage
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
Taxes
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
Government Regulation of Business
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
The Environment
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
Gun Control
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
Health Care
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
War on Terrorism
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Your Beliefs
Sources:
Political Party Grading Formula
Name:
Reviewer:
Introduction:
(20 points possible-5 points each)
Paper has a good opening/attention getter.
Process of determining party is described in detail, not generalized.
Five issues are listed in the introductory paragraph.
Paragraph has a strong thesis or topic sentence.
Issue #1:
(15 points possible)
Political party positions:
Position is clearly and accurately stated in the opening sentence.
Opposing party position is accurately stated in the paragraph.
Supporting details: Each detail is clearly stated, supports the position.
1.
2.
3.
Conclusion for this paragraph.
Issue #2:
(15 points possible)
Political party positions:
Position is clearly and accurately stated in the opening sentence.
Opposing party position is accurately stated in the paragraph.
Supporting details: Each detail is clearly stated, supports the position.
1.
2.
3.
Conclusion for this paragraph.
Issue #3:
(15 points possible)
Political party positions:
Position is clearly and accurately stated in the opening sentence.
Opposing party position is accurately stated in the paragraph.
Supporting details: Each detail is clearly stated, supports the position.
1.
2.
3.
Conclusion for this paragraph.
Issue #4:
(15 points possible)
Political party positions:
Position is clearly and accurately stated in the opening sentence.
Opposing party position is accurately stated in the paragraph.
Supporting details: Each detail is clearly stated, supports the position.
1.
2.
3.
Conclusion for this paragraph.
Issue #5:
(15 points possible)
Political party positions:
Position is clearly and accurately stated in the opening sentence.
Opposing party position is accurately stated in the paragraph.
Supporting details: Each detail is clearly stated, supports the position.
1.
2.
3.
Conclusion for this paragraph.
Conclusion:
(15 points possible)
Writer lists the five points as part of the summary.
Wraps up the paper by explaining how the issues support the final decision.
Conventions:
(10 points possible-2 points each)
Paper uses appropriate punctuation.
Spelling is accurate (no mistakes).
Avoids awkward sentences (i.e., run-on, fragments, etc.).
Avoids use of the pronoun “you” and contractions.
Capitalization is appropriate (i.e., Republican, Democrat).
Formatting:
Heading is single spaced with name and date turned in
Double space after the heading and before the title, triple after the title.
The paper is double spaced with standard margins (1 x 1.25 x 1 x 1.25).
Title and section sub-titles are bold (not larger fonts). Title is centered.
Font is 12 point Times New Roman.
References:
Paper cites at least three different sources (10 points possible)
Sources are either paraphrased correctly or directly quoted (10 points possible)
Section Totals:
Introduction:
Issue #1:
Issue #2:
Issue #3:
Issue #4:
Issue #5:
Conclusion:
Conventions:
Formatting:
References:
/20
/15
/15
/15
/15
/15
/15
/10
/10
/20
TOTAL:
/150