Sample Outline
(But feel free to set this essay up as you wish)
I. Introduction / Thesis Statement a brief statement outlining your position or something relevant
about this issue (approximately 1 page).
II. Body the bulk of the paper is here, in data taken from the readings and other evidence that you
have found to support this position (approximately 4 pages).
a. Text DPE what does the textbook say about whether or not the US can be considered a
democracy and how capitalism enhances or distorts this reality (check pages 15, and 521).
b. Other Traditional DPE supporting positions from the pluralist perspective.
c. Critical DPE what do some of the readings say on this issue. You should include but are
not limited to the following scholarship: Parenti, Boyer, Alperovitz, Hightower, Street and
Kelly.
d. Outside DPE are there other authors that you have examined that have a unique and/or
important position on this question. They can come from any theoretical perspective.
III. Conclusion from your reading of the various authors and theoretical positions, it is clear that
democracy and capitalism CAN / CANNOT co-exist together in a workable and positive relationship for
the people of the United States (approximately 1 page).
Extras:
1. Make sure to use the APA form of citation every time you use a statement or an idea from the
readings that I have provided, or that you found in your own independent research. Using
others work without providing proper citation is plagiarism and grounds for immediate failure
on this essay.
2. Please type all work on a computer and print only one copy.
3. An A paper will be: a) fully documented and cited; b) a minimum of 9 pages (including the
title page, abstract, and reference page, meaning 6 full pages of text analysis); c) research
beyond the authors I provided