Paper Expectations: First you should approach your topic providing sufficient background information so that any reasonably intelligent reader will have a foundation for analyzing your thinking. That means, background and history, as well as what are the issues at stake. I recommend that you provide the pros and cons on both sides of each issue (using both primary and secondary sources), and that at the end of the day, you give us your opinion (i.e. where you stand on the matter at hand), and provide whatever recommendations you care to make. Let me say a word about primary and secondary sources. Primary and Secondary Sources For clarity purposes, an example of a primary source is the U. S. Constitution. Or, in the case of antitrust law, there are many primary sources. Some examples include the Sheman Act. A secondary source is anything else. Format Lot of approaches to choose from, for example, you could write a paper in the form of a legal memorandum to me. In any case, keep in mind that I fully expect you to demonstrate an understanding of the underlying legal issues as you discuss your topic. In general, with whatever topic you select, from a content standpoint, the key is to spot all the issues and to understand the roots out of which they emerge. From a process standpoint, the key is to analyze the issues thoroughly and to argue persuasively with respect to whatever perspective you embrace (recognizing that the most persuasive arguments often reflect an understanding of the opposing viewpoints). The Paper: Some particulars 1. The paper should be a minimum of 10 pages. Although I am not hard and fast on the number 10, but by 10 pages I mean 10 pages not counting your title page, table of contents or works cited pages. For those of you who are doing a merger and acquisition topic, when I was an antitrust lawyer working on the defense side in the case that led to the break up of the Ma Bell monopoly, my experience indicates that it will be very difficult to do justice to any antitrust topics in less than 10 pages. However, I have seen excellent papers of less length. 2. From a research point of view, as previously stated, the paper should demonstrate an understanding of the primary sources, coupled with a reasonable overview of the secondary sources. 3. As regards secondary sources, you should have at least four - two on each side. 4. I don''t care on what side of the issue you ultimately settle; what I care about is that you present a very sound and persuasive analysis. I want to know what you think and why. 5. The Citation system you should use in documenting your sources is MLA (the Modern Language Association of America).There are MLA style books, both complete and abridged handbook versions, available in the bookstore and in the libraries. MLA is something that will be a part of your life for years to come. 6. The format of your paper should be in the form of a memorandum to me where you either attach your paper to the memorandum (in Microsoft Word format), or you can include it in the body of your memorandum text. Or, it can be like a white paper on whatever subject you are doing. I expect that a good presentation of a paper would include: a. Title Page b. Table of Contents c. Abstract d. Introduction (including what you plan to cover and how) e. Overview (a macrocosmic perspective of the subject matter including historical background information on the subject area) f. Presentation of body of the paper with a discussion of the major issues or points (citing primary sources and pro/con secondary sources). This is the microcosmic – detail lay of the land perspective. g. Summary of presentation h. Conclusions and recommendations i. Appendixes: Includes Charts and Illustrations (unless you include them within the text of your presentation discussion) j. Works Cited/Bibliography Pages 7. When your work is done, send it to me as an email at mabdulla@pfeiffer.edu Or, you can send a hard copy by mail if you like. I’d prefer you email it. Keep a copy of everything that you send. 8. Due dates for the paper are indicated on the syllabus. 9. If you send me a copy of your proposed paper topics, I can give you some feedback and some guidance on how to approach it. I have already done so for many of you. Now let’s talk about possible paper topics. On the whole, choose any topic you like within the parameters of this course. If you want to change a topic you have selected, let me know. Also, remember that although I am most interested in the content and the persuasiveness of your ideas, the quality of your writing and the presentation of your paper are important as well. I hope the information I have provided here has been helpful.