Comparative Analysis Between Democracy and Autocracy

Description

Comparative analysis of democracy and autocracy
8-10 pages
Minimum 10 references
only 2 review articles can be used

Comparative Analysis Instructions

You will be writing a comparative analysis paper. This assignment will help develop the two distinct skills of summarizing and critiquing. This type of analysis requires you to compare two things–whether you’re analyzing two different governmental policies or two different books. The key to writing a successful comparative analysis is to establish a good thesis and organizational scheme before you start writing.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In this assignment, you will do a comparative analysis of democracy and another form of government. If you have a different idea of some concept you would want to compare please let me know.

2. Start with a frame of reference–a basis for comparison. Sometimes the assignment provides this to you by asking you specifically to compare the use of propaganda in two different governments–rather than just to compare two governments–or the way a novelist uses physical descriptions to characterize two of her protagonists, rather than just to compare these characters. You’ll need to come up with a specific means of comparison.

3. Make a list of the similarities and differences between the two things you’re comparing. As you do this, remember that your goal from this exercise will be to craft a thesis–an argument about how the two things are similar and/or different.
4. Write your thesis. You might want to do some brainstorming on paper before you come up with a thesis, or another prewriting technique like clustering. Another good way to come up with a strong thesis is to discuss your topic with another classmate and bounce ideas off of him.
5. Outline the rest of your paper using one of the following two effective ways to organize a comparative analysis. One is to write several paragraphs about the first subject, and then a few paragraphs on the second subject you’re comparing the first one to, noting similarities and differences. The second is to write a paragraph about the first subject, then a paragraph about the second–noting how the second differs or is similar to the first one. You repeat this process of alternating from one subject to the other until you have touched on all of the similarities and differences that you wish to compare and contrast.
6. Write a conclusion that goes over the gist of what you discussed in the previous paragraphs and reinforces your thesis.
7. Carefully proofread before you submit your work. Also make sure you’ve cited all sources properly, using APA.

CLARIFICATION ON SOURCES
Basically, you will need multiple sources that discuss your concept in the abstract. Your remaining sources should be general political science works on your case and or political science works that discuss your case in the context of your concept.

Chiefly you are looking for books and journal articles.
“Scholarly Sources” means:
· Political science journals (e.g., APSR, AJPS, PSJ, PSQ)
· Elite opinion/analysis journals (e.g., Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Current History)
· Books written by Ph.D.’s or other “experts” which set forth new ideas.

Content (25 points)

Paper addresses the topic adequately within guidelines for paper length (8-10 pages exclusive of the references page)

Content of paper is accurate, with statements adequately supported with references

Paper develops major aspects of a central idea

Content total

Organization (25 points)

Paper contains abstract, introduction, body (subdivided as appropriate and including a summary/conclusion section), applications, and references

Body of paper is organized logically; paper “flows” well and transitions smoothly

Each paragraph is coherent and addresses one main idea

Organization total

Analysis (20 points)

Research studies cited are analyzed and synthesized to reflect a “big picture” view of the research being considered.

Conclusions are sound and based on correct interpretation of data from research studies cited.

Analysis total

Mechanics (10 points)

Sentence structure is correct

Sentences are not awkward

Sentences are varied

Punctuation errors are few

Errors in verb use are few

Spelling errors are few

Mechanics total

Evidence (20 points)

References represent body of current literature for topic

References are primarily from primary research studies published in peer-reviewed journals

References are cited in text using APA style

Reference list is formatted using APA style

The number of references is adequate for the paper topic (minimum 10 references with no more than 2 review articles)

Evidence total

Total Score

Comparative Analysis Rubric