Position Paper

Assignment

Write a paper that argues a position on a controversial issue in your major field of study (if at all possible). If that doesn't work out, you might consider subjects related to media studies. There are a number of possible topics under the headings of community/local and national issues. For example, ecology, education, health, etc.

The following topics should give you a general idea of the types of subjects to consider in your majors:

Archeology: Native American skeletal remains, archived in such museums as the Smithsonian, should be returned to the appropriate tribes for proper burial. Business: There should be a flat-rate income tax (or no income tax at all).

Medicine: Physician-assisted suicide should be legalized in all states. There should be

Federal legislation which criminalizes the use of marijuana for medicinal

purposes

 Purpose and Audience

The purpose of this paper is to present your position in a clear and logical manner in order to persuade your audience—those who disagree with your position and those who might be undecided or apathetic toward the issue—to at least seriously consider your argument and/or re-think the strength of their own arguments.

 
Writing Strategies

Stage 1

    1. Consider what topics are current and controversial in your major field of study, that is, those topics about which there can be an arguable difference of opinion in matters such as judgement, and CHOOSE A TOPIC.
    2. After carefully researching the subject, decide your position on the issue, and
    3. Set down that position as an unequivocal statement or THESIS (see examples above).
Stage 2
    1. Write down the reasons you believe as you do, listing them in emphatic order—least to most important.
    2. Organize your research information in support of your position.
    3. Evaluate your sources for reliability and credibility.
(Example: If you argue that the remains of Native Americans should be returned to the appropriate tribes for proper burial, then you would not quote facts from a source published 100 years ago, nor would you use Rush Limbaugh as an authority on Native Americans. He once said that early tribes damaged the environment much more than the "civilization" of the twentieth century.) Stage 3
    1. List the reasons why people may disagree with your position. You can discover legitimate objections to your position by reading about your topic and by stating your position and reasons for it to such people as family, friends, etc. and noting their objections.
    2. You will do several things with these objections.
      1. discard them as not worthy of consideration (example—the Native Americans are already dead)
      2. refute them by counter-argument
      3. perhaps concede a point or points you cannot answer/refute.
Stage 4

Begin writing your first draft.

Stage 5

Before submitting your drafts, PLEASE evaluate the logic of your arguments. I expect to see a CORRECT bibliography page (use your handbooks!!!), page headers, 12 point font, etc. The paper should be in the 5-6 page range (excluding bibliography).
Evaluation Criteria

This paper should,

  1. provide relevant evidence in support of that thesis
  2. have a clear, logical method of organization
  3. refute and/or concede legitimate objections
  4. avoid logical fallacies
  5. follow MLA/APA/etc. guidelines
  6. follow the conventions of Standard Written English.