Engl 20803 Lacefield Unit 1: International Policy Memo (15% of Grade) For this assignment, you will compose a 2-3 page, single-spaced international policy memo to the President of the United States. You can choose any current topic, but it has to be related to U.S. foreign policy, an international issue, a military issue, and/or the U.S. relationship with another country. You could also address an international problem that the U.S. currently has no stake in and make an argument for why and how the U.S. should get involved. A. Your memo must have the following elements. (This is what your outline should also include.) If your topic requires a different format with different elements, you should clear it with me first. If your memo does not include all elements below as described below, you will get a 5-10 point deduction for every missing or incomplete element. I. Heading with subject, sender, and recipient in proper format II. Abstract (also known as a summary) at the beginning. Your summary should be short--no more than ¼ of a page. You must list your final recommendation in this section—it is your thesis. III. Background. THIS IS THE ONLY PART THAT IS OPTIONAL. If you need a background section, this section should be no more than 1/2 of a page. If your topic has relevant history that is not part of the “problem” section per se, then you probably need a background section. IV. Discussion of the problem/issue, with several subsidiary points as sub-headings. V. Brief introduction of 2-3 possible solutions, with pros/cons for each (the good and bad results you expect to get from this course of action). Use sub-headings. VI. Implementation strategy (specific steps involved in your solution—how to make it happen); You might also mention specific ways to counteract or mitigate any expected negative effects listed in the earlier section. Use subheadings for your steps. B. Your memo will be graded based on the following criteria: 1. Adherence to the memo format as provided in the list above, with all information required as specified above. *You must have a full 2 pages, single-spaced, with no triple/quadruple spaces as “filler.” A great memo will probably have 3 pages but no more than 4 pages tops. I will deduct points for less than 2 full pages and more than 4 pages. 2. Proper writing style: professional language (polished, objective, unemotional, no slang); clear, succinct, phrasing (avoid wordiness, vagueness, empty “filler” and awkward phrasing; avoidance of the first-person “I” voice; avoidance of grammar/punctuation/sentence errors--stuff we’ve specifically reviewed in class, but also any basic stuff as well. 3. TYPOS ARE A BIG DEDUCTION, ESPECIALLY MORE THAN TWO. AFTER TWO TYPOS, I ATTACH AN EXTRA FIVE POINTS DEDUCTION PER TYPO, WHICH MEANS 7 POINTS PER TYPO IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN TWO. 4. Evidence of a well-rounded investigation and analysis of the topic, wi.

1. Engl 20803 Lacefield
Unit 1: International Policy Memo (15% of Grade)
For this assignment, you will compose a 2-3 page, single-spaced
international policy memo to the President of the
United States. You can choose any current topic, but it has to be
related to U.S. foreign policy, an international issue, a
military issue, and/or the U.S. relationship with another
country. You could also address an international problem that
the U.S. currently has no stake in and make an argument for
why and how the U.S. should get involved.
A. Your memo must have the following elements. (This is what
your outline should also include.) If your topic requires
a different format with different elements, you should clear it
with me first. If your memo does not include all
elements below as described below, you will get a 5-10 point
deduction for every missing or incomplete element.
I. Heading with subject, sender, and recipient in proper format
II. Abstract (also known as a summary) at the beginning. Your
summary should be short--no more than ¼ of a page. You

2. must list your final recommendation in this section—it is your
thesis.
III. Background. THIS IS THE ONLY PART THAT IS
OPTIONAL. If you need a background section, this section
should be no
more than 1/2 of a page. If your topic has relevant history that
is not part of the “problem” section per se, then you
probably need a background section.
IV. Discussion of the problem/issue, with several subsidiary
points as sub-headings.
V. Brief introduction of 2-3 possible solutions, with pros/cons
for each (the good and bad results you expect to get from
this course of action). Use sub-headings.
VI. Implementation strategy (specific steps involved in your
solution—how to make it happen); You might also mention
specific ways to counteract or mitigate any expected negative
effects listed in the earlier section. Use subheadings for
your steps.
B. Your memo will be graded based on the following criteria:

3. 1. Adherence to the memo format as provided in the list above,
with all information required as specified above.
*You must have a full 2 pages, single-spaced, with no
triple/quadruple spaces as “filler.” A great memo will probably
have 3 pages but no more than 4 pages tops. I will deduct points
for less than 2 full pages and more than 4 pages.
2. Proper writing style: professional language (polished,
objective, unemotional, no slang); clear, succinct, phrasing
(avoid wordiness, vagueness, empty “filler” and awkward
phrasing; avoidance of the first-person “I” voice; avoidance of
grammar/punctuation/sentence errors--stuff we’ve specifically
reviewed in class, but also any basic stuff as well.
3. TYPOS ARE A BIG DEDUCTION, ESPECIALLY MORE
THAN TWO. AFTER TWO TYPOS, I ATTACH AN EXTRA
FIVE POINTS
DEDUCTION PER TYPO, WHICH MEANS 7 POINTS PER
TYPO IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN TWO.
4. Evidence of a well-rounded investigation and analysis of the
topic, with attention provided to
the primary aspects of the topic and an adequate discussion of
possible solution(s) {as much as
possible in limited space with page-number restriction}
5. Use of headings as well as sub-headings as appropriate—the
goal is to make your memo easy to skim and easily

4. digestible to the reader
6. Inclusion of endnotes (this does not count toward the page
limit) with at least four credible
sources listed. No works cited page is needed since you are
using endnotes. For this assignment, you should include
endnotes for every section in which you cite statistic and quotes
or paraphrases from sources
7. Consistency and an easy-to-skim format. Consistency in
format, spacing, punctuation, capitalization, etc. is especially
important. Lack of consistency makes your memo seem sloppy.
Tips/Additional Advice for Memo
A) Citation: Chicago-Style: This format is where you use either
footnotes or endnotes. For this assignment, I
prefer endnotes.
For specific instructions on Chicago-Style citation, go to this
website: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/05/
In order to insert an endnote, you should look for either the
"References" or "Insert" tab at the top of your
essay in Microsoft Word. Then click on "Insert Endnote" if
that's an option. (It may be "Insert Citation" on your
computer.) Understand that because this is your first assignment
and we haven't discussed citation hardly at
all, I'm not going to be strict about this aspect of your memo. I
just want to see that you are using some

5. citations (especially in obvious situations like use of direct
quotes, statistics, etc.) in a consistent manner.
B) No “Pros” and “Cons”: These two words are not professional
wording--it's more like slang. If you choose to
have sub-headings of that nature, use words like
"Advantages"/"Disadvantages" or something similar.
C) No Wordiness/Slang/Filler/Awkward Phrasing: Ask yourself
if your memo really reads like something you'd
turn in to the President of the United States if you worked in the
State Department, for example.
D) Headings and sub-headings (and bullet points if appropriate,
but bullet points are optional): On this
particular page, for example, the heading is “Tips/Additional
Advice for Memo” at the top, and then each
letter (A/B/C/D/E) and first sentence is a sub-heading. Your
headings and subheadings should be left-justified.
E) Typos: Typos can be any of the following types of errors:
obvious spelling errors in simple words; necessary
missing words obviously left out; random extra words clearly
not intended to be there; obviously inconsistent
formatting, font, or capitalization…Basically stupid, obvious
mistakes. These reflect very badly on your writing,
so I will count off two (2) points for every typo, and I will
count off an additional five (5) points per typo once
you hit three (3) typos because more than two demonstrate clear
sloppiness and lack of proofreading. (In the

6. real world, documents with lots of typos often get thrown in the
trash.) So if you have three typos, your grade
will start at a 79 before any other deductions are given.
Updated Schedule and Due Dates: I have made a few changes,
including bumping the Unit 1 due dates and Quiz 2
back a class period
5 Examination and discussion of sample memos in class;
Writing instruction and exercises; Outline instruction;
Homework: Research topic and develop an outline with a
bibliography
7 Outline and bibliography due today: You will sign up online
for specific timeslots and you will show
up in groups of four to workshop your outlines and meet
individually with me. I will post this info soon. If you
cannot make it, you must still email your outline to me to get
credit, otherwise you will get a zero.
Homework: Begin rough draft; (You can also begin reading for
Quiz 2 due Feb. 21 if you wish)
12 In-class writing instruction and group exercises
14 Rough draft of memo due today: Again, you will sign up
online for specific timeslots to meet with a small group

7. of classmates and with me. If you cannot make it, you must still
email your draft to me to receive credit.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/05/
Homework: Finish final draft of Unit 1 memo due this Tuesday,
Feb. the 19th ; Read and study for Quiz 2 this Thursday,
Feb. 21
19 Final draft of Unit 1 memo due (hard copy in class);
Introduction to Unit 2; Homework: Read and study for quiz
next class
21 Quiz 2; Brief lecture beforehand—you will have an hour to
complete your quiz
Possible Sources—might be good places to start your research
at least
1. https://www.realclearworld.com
2. https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com
3. https://www.realcleardefense.com
4. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/foreignpolicy
5. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/world/
6. https://www.reddit.com/r/foreignpolicy/

8. Possible Topics: You are NOT limited to these. Some of these
might be too general—you can use them as starting
points and then narrow your focus to a more specific
problem/issue.
US-Iran tensions
US breaking treaty with Iran
US-China tensions, especially relating to trade deficits and
tariffs
Chinese-Taiwan tensions
Problematic Chinese influence in Africa
Other problems regarding China
Rohingya conflict and refugee problem
US-Russian relations
Russia-Ukraine issue
US relations with Cuba
Venezuela economic collapse
Migrant and/or refugee issues in US or Europe
Immigration issues (could include discussion of “the wall”)
Brexit and/or other issues relating to Europe and the European
Union

9. Problems with/questions about the Euro currency
US involvement in Afghanistan (issues: getting out, staying in,
Erik Prince proposal, Rand Paul proposal, Trump policy)
Questions about 2016 “collusion” (questions about veracity of
allegations, the extent of Russian intervention, etc.)
Questions about possible interference in future elections
US-Israel relationship, including Trump’s policies toward Israel
(and recent controversies like moving embassy to Jer.)
Israel-Palestinian conflict
US-Saudi Arabia relationship (pros/cons, should we get closer
or disengage?, should we pressure them? Etc.)
Saudi Arabia and the Khashoggi journalist murder
Any other issues related to Saudi Arabia, such as restrictions on
women
Gender and women’s issues around the world or in certain
problematic countries
Gay rights around the world or in certain problematic countries
Crime problems in European countries that accept lots of
migrants (such as the sexual assaults by migrants in Sweden)
Terrorism and US or Europe
Terrorism in the Africa and/or the Middle East
U.S. military intervention questions (participation in wars,

10. military bases all over the world, trillions of dollars spent, etc.)
U.S. international “foreign aid” to other countries—we give lots
of money, but recently Trump cut off aid to Pakistan,
which was a big deal whether good or bad idea. Should we
give so much aid, and what should we get for it?
https://www.realclearworld.com/
https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/
https://www.realcleardefense.com/
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/foreignpolicy
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/world/
https://www.reddit.com/r/foreignpolicy/