Public Finance

Writing Assignments

Sample Outlines

Paper Guidelines: The follow is a description of the minimum requirements for each paper.

Ø Length – the body of the paper should be less than one billion pages yet sufficient to discuss the topic in depth.

Ø Margins – one inch on all sides.

Ø Line Spacing – double-spaced.

Ø Font size – 12

Ø Each paper should include a cover page, table of contents, and bibliography. These pages are not considered part of the body of the paper.

Ø Each paper should include subsections that are referred to in the table of contents.

Ø In addition to the textbook, you must cite at least three other references used when researching and writing your paper.

A. Introduction - A brief introduction of your topic. This is better written after you have completed the paper.

B. Background - What is the background of the problem to be discussed.

C. Theory Section

In this section you should discuss, at minimum, the items listed below. A wider discuss is encouraged.

1. Describe the concept of Pareto Optimality and how this is impacted by the existence of externalities.

2. Provide more detail about your topic of choice. This is a wide ranging possibility in the class. Essentially you are applying economic theory to any situation in life. For example, you might discuss public policy toward industrial production or you might be discussing public policy toward other government policies such as taxation, subsidization or welfare spending. There are no topics banned from analysis, but you need to be able to do analysis of the situation.

D. Policy Section

What policy recommendations do you have concerning the situation you've described? Laissez Faire? Intervention? Why and how!

Conclusions