COURSE PROJECT
Subject Code PSCI 6232
Subject Description Politics and Governance in Southeast Asia
Course Project Description Policy Paper: Key Issues on South East Asian Nation-
States
A. WHAT IS A POLICY PAPER?
Policy papers are critical analyses of an important social issue or problem that involves the research and
develop of a defensible plan (policy proposal) for solving the problem and formulate workable strategies for
implementing the plan.
They often focus on prescriptive questions. They may begin by diagnosing a particular issue or situation,
and typically argue for a solution that will address that issue or situation.
Often, policy papers are focused on being persuasive. The intention is to convince the target audience that
your position is the correct one.
Evidence in support of a position is crucial. This is also important for research papers, but it tends to be
absolutely critical in policy papers.
Policy papers are written efficiently. The audience often does not have much time and does not want to
read a book on the subject. Indeed, often policy papers are accompanied by policy briefs which summarize
the papers in a page or less.
Each student is required to write a policy paper on key policy issues in the Southeast Asia such
as:
1. COVID19 Pandemic Response of Selected South East Asian Nation-state
2. The West Philippines Sea and ASEAN
3. Myanmar and its Struggle to Democracy
4. The Role of China and USA in Southeast Asia
5. Climate Change Initiatives of Southeast Asian States
6. Democratization in Selected SEA State
B. OBJECTIVES
- aims to identify key policy issues on Southeast Asia
- apply the best and most up-to-date research to help understand these issues; and
- explores the implications of this research as policy recommendation to selected key policy issues
C. STRUCTURE OF POLICY PAPER
I. Policy Issue
II. Introduction
III. Theory and analytic framework
IV. Analysis
V. Policy Proposal or Action Plan
VI. References
D. WRITING CONDITIONS
1. PLAGIARIZE papers will be graded zero. All papers will be check through a plagiarism checker
application.
2. Observe proper use of punctuations marks, sentence construction and grammar.
3. This is an academic paper read, research and review references before writing.
4. Follow this format:
Paper Size: 8.5 x 11 (short bond paper)
Font: Arial
Font Size: 11
Spacing: 1.5
Orientation: Justified
Margins: 1” per sides
5. Refer to the prototype of the policy paper and use it as your guide before submitting.
6. Review, revise and reflect on your paper before submission.
7. Failure to follow instructions will require resubmission.
E. GUIDELINES AND FORMAT
Policy Issue Keep it short and to the point. This section 100-200 words
frames the issue.
Introduction The problem statement may come at the end 300-500words
of the introduction. It concisely
identifies the problem to be solved. It may be
in the form of a question.
Theory and The theory that will be utilized to analyze the 200-400 words
analytic policy issue.
framework
Analysis Comprehensive discussion of the policy issue 500-1000 words
using the theory and analytic framework.
Policy Proposal or 500-1000 words
Action Plan
References 1. You should have a MINIMUM of three (3) 1-3 pages
sources for your paper
2. Not meeting this minimum requirement
of three (3) sources will lead to a lower
evaluation of your paper for each missing
source
3. Use APA format for documenting your
sources
F. TUTORIALS
Watch the following Youtube videos, it will discuss how to write a policy paper.
(1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzEoRQnFyOA
(2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lozF2Pc-1YM
(3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzEoRQnFyOA&t=11s
(4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF9iHl85XEU
G. SAMPLE POLICY PAPERS
(1) https://www.paperflite.com/blogs/best-white-paper-examples-governments
(2) https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2016/6/gender-migration-and-
development-in-the-philippines-policy-paper
(3) https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/09/29/document-reconstruction-assistance-on-
yolanda-implementation-for-results/
H. RUBRIC
Criteria (%) 4 3 2 1
Introduction The introductory The introductory The author has The introductory
paragraph has a paragraph has a an interesting paragraph is not
strong hook or hook or attention introductory interesting AND is
attention grabber grabber, but it is paragraph but the not relevant to the
that is appropriate weak, rambling or connection to the topic.
for the audience. inappropriate for topic is not clear.
This could be a the audience.
strong statement, a
relevant quotation,
statistic, or
question
addressed to the
reader.
Policy Issue The position The position A position There is no
statement provides statement statement is position
a clear, strong provides a clear present, but does statement.
statement of the statement of the not make the
author\'s position author\'s position author\'s position
on the topic. on the topic. clear.
Focus or Thesis The thesis The thesis The thesis The thesis
Statement statement names statement names statement statement does
the topic of the the topic of the outlines some or not name the
essay and outlines essay. all of the main topic AND does
the main points to points to be not preview what
be discussed. discussed but will be discussed.
does not name
the topic.
Support for Includes 3 or more Includes 3 or Includes 2 pieces Includes 1 or
Position pieces of evidence more pieces of of evidence fewer pieces of
(facts, statistics, evidence (facts, (facts, statistics, evidence (facts,
examples, real-life statistics, examples, real-life statistics,
experiences) that examples, real-life experiences) that
support the experiences) that support the examples, real-life
position statement. support the position experiences).
The writer position statement.
anticipates the statement.
reader\'s concerns,
biases or
arguments and has
provided at least 1
counter-argument.
Evidence and All of the evidence Most of the At least one of the Evidence and
Examples and examples are evidence and pieces of examples are
specific, relevant examples are evidence and NOT relevant
and explanations specific, relevant examples is AND/OR are not
are given that and explanations relevant and has explained.
show how each are given that an explanation
piece of evidence show how each that shows how
supports the piece of evidence that piece of
author\'s position. supports the evidence
author\'s position. supports the
author\'s position.
Accuracy All supportive facts Almost all Most supportive Most supportive
and statistics are supportive facts facts and facts and statistics
reported and statistics are statistics are were inaccurately
accurately. reported reported reported.
accurately. accurately.
Transitions A variety of Transitions show Some transitions The transitions
thoughtful how ideas are work well, but between ideas are
transitions are connected, but some connections unclear OR
used. They clearly there is little between ideas nonexistent.
show how ideas variety are fuzzy.
are connected
Sequencing Arguments and Arguments and A few of the Many of the
support are support are support details or support details or
provided in a provided in a fairly arguments are arguments are not
logical order that logical order that not in an in an expected or
makes it easy and makes it expected or logical order,
interesting to follow reasonably easy logical order, distracting the
the author\'s train to follow the distracting the reader and
of thought. author\'s train of reader and making the essay
thought. making the essay seem very
seem a little confusing.
confusing.
Sentence All sentences are Most sentences Most sentences Most sentences
Structure well-constructed are well- are well are not well-
with varied constructed and constructed, but constructed or
structure. there is some there is no varied.
varied sentence variation is
structure.
structure in the
essay.
Grammar & Author makes no Author makes 1-2 Author makes 3-4 Author makes
Spelling errors in grammar errors in grammar errors in grammar more than 4
or spelling that or spelling that or spelling that errors in grammar
distract the reader distract the reader distract the reader or spelling that
from the content. from the content. from the content. distract the reader
from the content.
Closing paragraph The conclusion is The conclusion is The author\'s There is no
strong and leaves recognizable. The position is conclusion - the
the reader solidly author\'s position restated within paper just ends.
understanding the is restated within the closing
writer\'s position. the first two paragraph, but
Effective sentences of the not near the
restatement of the closing beginning.
position statement paragraph.
begins the closing
paragraph.
