Political Platforms

Worksheet Description

The worksheet centers around the concept of political platforms, which are formal sets of goals and positions that a political party or individual candidate supports. Students are introduced to the importance of platforms in conveying a party or candidate’s stance on complex issues to voters. The worksheet contains a graphic organizer that prompts students to fill in the platforms of both the Republican and Democratic parties, and then identify and detail the platform of a third party of their choice.

To work with this worksheet, students should start by researching the official platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties, making note of their key stances and goals. Next, they should identify a third political party and conduct similar research to understand its platform. The collected information should then be neatly summarized and filled into the respective sections of the graphic organizer. This process will not only help students differentiate between the parties but also appreciate the nuances and specifics of each party’s goals.

Through this worksheet, students are being taught several key aspects of political literacy. First, they learn about the significance of political platforms in shaping a party’s identity and its appeal to voters. Additionally, by comparing and contrasting different platforms, students enhance their analytical skills, discerning the unique perspectives and solutions offered by each party. Finally, by including a third party of their choice, the worksheet encourages exploration beyond the two major parties, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the political landscape.