The purpose of the essays is to present your own argument which builds on the readings on a specific topic. Guidelines:

Introduction: Motivate the topic

Present the main phenomena of interest

Refer to political phenomena of current interest, debates in the literature, theoretical puzzles, etc.

Preview the argument you are going to make.

Analytical summary of the readings. Give structure to the readings related to your topic.

Is there something important the authors have missed? This is where your discussion starts.

• Argument
• Your paper should make a single argument or a series of highly related arguments.
• Be clear: define your concepts and how they relate to each other.
• Use empirical material (facts, numbers, history) to back your argument.
• Go beyond a summary of the readings to make an argument.

Conclusion

Summarize your main points

Anticipate possible weaknesses your audience might raise.

Discuss counterarguments and limitations of your argument.

This topic is Electoral Institutes and Outcomes.