Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.
Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.

To Prepare:
    Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.
The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)
Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.

Part 1: Legislation Grid
Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:
    Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
    Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
    Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
    Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:
    Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
    Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
    At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources are used.

    Grid View
    List View
    Excellent    Good    Fair    Poor
Federal and State Legislation

Part 1: Legislation Grid

Based on the health-related bill you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.

Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.

Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.

Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?    32 (32%) – 35 (35%)
The response clearly and accurately summarizes in detail the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies in detail the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies in detail the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response clearly and thoroughly describes in detail the current status of the health-related bill.    28 (28%) – 31 (31%)
The response accurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response accurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.    25 (25%) – 27 (27%)
The response vaguely or inaccurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.    0 (0%) – 24 (24%)
Summary of the legislative intent of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

Identification of the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill are vague and inaccurate or is missing.

Identification of the populations targeted by the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

The description of the current status of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.
Advocating for Legislation

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.

Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.    45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Testimony clearly and thoroughly provides statements that fully justifies a position for a health-related bill.

Response provides a detailed, thorough, and logical explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and includes one or more clear and accurate supporting examples.

A complete, detailed, and specific synthesis of two outside resources is provided. The response fully integrates at least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources that fully supports the responses provided.    40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Testimony clearly and accurately provides statements that somewhat justifies a position for a health-related bill.

Response provides an accurate explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and may include at least one supporting example.

An accurate synthesis of at least one outside resource is provided. The response integrates at least 1 outside resource and 2-3 course specific resources that may support the responses provided.    35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague or inaccurate.

Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague or inaccurate, lacks logic, and/or the supporting examples are vague or inaccurate.

A vague or inaccurate synthesis of outside resources is provided. The response minimally integrates resources that may support the responses provided.    0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, incomplete, or is missing.

Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, or is missing.

A vague and inaccurate synthesis of no outside resources is provided, or is missing. The response fails to integrate any resources to support the responses provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:

Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.    5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.

A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.    4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.    3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.    0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.

No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:

Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation    5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.    4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.    3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.    0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many ( 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the readers understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.    5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.    4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.    3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.    0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many ( 5) APA format errors.
Total Points: 100

ARTICLE CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT

________________________________________________________

Instructor: Noah Neaman                                  Winter Semester, 2021

Course: 3362 – 001

What is a critique?

A critique is a type of academic writing that summarizes and critically evaluates a work in this case a journal article.  Like an essay, a critique uses a formal, academic writing style and has a clear structure that includes an introduction, body and conclusion.  The body of the critique includes a summary of the article and an evaluation of it.  The purpose of an evaluation is to gauge the usefulness or impact of a work in a particular field.

How to write a critique

Before you start writing, it is important to have an understanding of the work to be critiqued by doing the following:

Study the article
Make notes on key parts of the work
Develop an understanding of the main argument/purpose being expressed in the article

Introduction

Typically, the introduction is short (less than 10% of the word length) and you should:

Name the work being reviewed
Describe the main argument/purpose of the work
Have a concluding sentence that indicates what your evaluation of the work will be.  For instance, it may indicate whether it is a positive, negative, or mixed reaction.

Summary

Briefly summarize the main points .  This summary should not be the focus of the critique and is usually shorter than the critical evaluation.

Critical Evaluation

This section should give an assessment of the different elements of the work, evaluating how well the author was able to achieve the purpose through these.  Examples of key questions that could help your assessment include the following:

Is the title of the article appropriate and clear?
Is the purpose of the article made clear in the introduction?
What are the aims of the work?  Were the aims achieved?
What type of evidence does the author use to make his/her points?  Has the evidence been presented fairly?
Does the work enhance understanding of key ideas?
Are the authors statements clear?

Note:  You are not required to answer all these questions you may choose to answer the ones that you feel are relevant etc.

This evaluation is written in formal academic style and logically presented.  Group and order your ideas into paragraphs.  You may wish to discuss the strengths of the article, and then the weaknesses.  You may quote from the article and use APA style for citations.  You may cite other sources but I am not requiring this.

Conclusion

This is typically a very brief paragraph, which includes:

A statement indicating the overall evaluation of the work
A summary of your evaluation
In some circumstances, recommendations for improvement on the work

Reference List

Include the article and any sources you use outside the article.  You may have outside sources.  Use APA style.

Assigned Article

Hart Failure: Assessing the Mr. Big Confessions Framework Five Years later by Christopher Lutes; Manitoba Law Journal 2019

This article can be found at

http://themanitobalawjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/articles/MLJ_43.4/434_Lutes.pdf

This article critiques Mr. Big Operations for a number of reasons.  It is interesting yet it is fairly complex and you might find it difficult to read.  Do not get concerned if you do not understand some of the terms and concepts.  Do the best you can.  Everyone is in the same boat and I will take the difficulty of the article into consideration when I am marking.

Paper length: 6-7 pages
Paper Due:    March 19, 2021
Title Page:      I do not require a title page but you may use one if you wish.  Please ensure your name and student number are on the top of your paper (or on your title page if you have one)
This is to be written in essay style not point form (although you may use point form where appropriate)
Double spaced
Papers must be submitted to Blackboard
Worth 20% of overall mark