The midterm paper should be approximately 12-15 pages

As noted in the syllabus, the midterm paper should be approximately 12-15 pages (not including references) in length double-spaced in 12-point Times Roman Font with one inch margins.  It should integrate at least 2 key concepts from each week of the course up to the midterm.  The concepts used should be in bold and underlined in the text and a brief definition of how they were used and the page number on which they appear should appear in an Appendix.  Be sure to consider the specific message (a slogan where relevant), potential spokespersons and the appropriate target audience.

In addition, please avoid the following problems which have occurred in the past:

1. Failure to follow APA citation format
2. Remember to cite ORIGINAL theorist not the text book. To find the original citation first check your syllabus, then the reference sections of your text, and failing that try changingminds.org or google scholar)
3. Failure to indent paragraphs
4. Short choppy paragraphs (less than 3 sentences in length)
5. Rough transitions between paragraphs
6. Overuse of bullet points (APA format strongly discourages bullets)
7. Overuse of direct quotations (diminishes their effect)
8. Making a factual point without citing supporting evidence (i.e., Most smokers start smoking before the age of 18.)
9. Using the word “Introduction” – rather repeat the title on the inside page
10. DO NOT Right justifying text – it makes it very difficult to read
11. Failure to use one inch margins (all around)
12. Failure to catch typos
13. Awkward wording
14. Grammatical errors.

PLEASE NOTE that after 10 grammatical errors I will return your paper ungraded.  If you are a nonnative English speaker or are concerned about organizing your paper you can make an appointment (I believe they are operating this semester but check) with the writing center on campus for help but be aware they book up early and give yourself at least a week before the paper is due.

Examples of past midterm and final papers will be available on blackboard but please remember that they are not “perfect” but good examples in terms of format so please do not copy content.

Please submit your midterm to prior to midnight on the day due as indicated by the syllabus.  Unfortunately, Blackboard seems to corrupt the formatting so please submit one copy via TurnItIn on Blackboard and email your paper to Dr. Murphy as a Word attachment with writing permission for notes (not a PDF) to smurphy@usc.edu.

The topics for this semester are the following:

1. Health
2. Design a campaign to encourage parents to vaccinate their children aged 5-11 against COVID-19. You might want to narrow your audience to a particular vaccine-hesitant group (e.g., Trump supporters, African American, Mexican Americans) but not anti-vaxxers.

Potential clients:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s reputation took a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design a campaign to convince the general public to trust the CDC as a credible source of information again.

1. The United States is facing an obesity epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 in 3 Americans are clinically obese and that was before the pandemic. Design a campaign to combat obesity during the pandemic and develop healthier habits that can transfer to life after the pandemic.

2. Public Diplomacy
3. The war in Ukraine is unlikely to end anytime soon. Design a campaign to bolster support for the U.S.’s contribution to Ukraine among U.S. citizens.

1. Recent research has noted that there is a direct correlation between trust IN SCIENCE and Covid vaccination rates in various countries. Design a campaign to increase trust in SCIENCE.

3. Politics
4. Design a campaign for a 2024 presidential candidate.

Potential clients:  RNC, DNC, Move On.org, or the candidates themselves.

1. Design a campaign for a candidate who wants to distinguish themselves from the current 2024 frontrunner (Trump or Biden).

4. Public Relations
5. Design a campaign to rehabilitate the image of a celebrity of your choosing.

1. Design a campaign to rehabilitate a corporation or institution of your choosing (for example, USC after series of scandals, the Republican Party,etc.).

5. Environment
6. Design a campaign to convince non-believers and skeptics that global warming is real and needs immediate action.

1. Design a campaign to promote a particular environmentally friendly behavior (recycling, driving hybrids, or prevent fires, etc.).