Write a researched position paper on the issue that you have been exploring for most of this term. That means, now is the time that you join the conversation about your issue and offer your own position and support it logically with relevant evidence, while acknowledging that other people have offered positions that are different from yours.

Write a researched position paper on the issue that you have been exploring for most of this term. That means, now is the time that you join the conversation about your issue and offer your own position and support it logically with relevant evidence, while acknowledging that other people have offered positions that are different from yours.

 

Length:                    minimum of 1,600 words (this does not include the list of Works                                      Cited)

 

See attached checklist for further requirements

 

Format:                    MLA 8th ed.

 

Peer review:            bring three printouts of your draft for each peer review session

 

Due date:                The paper must be handed in in a folder with all drafts and editing sheets. Place the final draft on top. In order to receive credit for the paper, you must also upload it on turnitin.com by the due date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organizing Your Researched Position Paper

Please note that the numbers by each section are only for organizational purposes. They should not be taken to represent paragraphs in your paper. You should spend adequate time with each of these sections as you see fit. Keep in mind that the items below are to help you organize your thoughts about your issue as you start drafting the research paper.

1.         What is an interesting way to introduce your issue? After beginning the paper with an interest strategy, explain the issue and why it is compelling and important. Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure the reader adequately understands the issue and its importance before you argue your claim.

2.         Explain the “conversation” that surrounds the issue. What are the prominent positions people have taken on your issue? Give an accurate, compressed, paraphrased summary; use direct quotations but use them sparingly in this section. You can use the three different positions you brought forth in your exploratory paper, but you must revise them to fit in with the flow of your position paper. Remember, the first part of the paper while extremely crucial, should not exceed one-third of the length of the paper. The bulk of your paper should be devoted to stating your thesis and supporting it with relevant evidence.

3.         After introducing the conversation about your issue, you will then explain in detail how you agree and/or disagree with those positions. State your thesis and explain how you differ from others’ positions and where you fit with them based on your circumstances. Make sure you fine-tune your claim after your paper is finished. Sometimes, thesis statements change because the paper itself went “elsewhere.” Also, here it’s the place where you probably want to mention the articles and authors that you agree with the most and will use for support throughout the rest of the essay.

 

4.         After you state your thesis, you will spend the rest of your paper giving evidence and support for it.

 

5.         Where will you put your most powerful evidence?  How will you present it? How will you incorporate quotations into your essay?

6.         Where will you put the rest of your evidence?

7.         Where will you directly acknowledge the opposing view? How will you refute this view?

8.         How will you conclude your essay? Restate your thesis and use an interest strategy the reinforce your claim and hold the reader’s attention.

 

 

Checklist for the Researched Position Paper

 

 

  1. The research paper follows standard MLA format rules and includes:

text of paper

works cited page(s)

 

  1. The paper is typed according to standard format:

it is consistently double spaced

left and right margins are 1 inch from edge

top margin is 1 inch

bottom margin is 1 inch

12 pt. font, Times New Roman

each page (this includes the WC pages) has a running header (last name and page

number) in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top of the  page

 

  1. You have quoted or paraphrased from at least 8 different sources, four of which must be academic scholarly journal essays. I will deduct 10% for each missing source or each missing journal essay.

 

  1. Each quote and paraphrase in your paper is identified as such by parenthetical citation.

 

  1. Each quote and paraphrase is integrated (introduced, cited, followed up).

 

  1. Quotes and citations are correctly formatted and punctuated.

 

  1. You use quotes and paraphrases to support or illuminate your assertions, not as ideas to stand on their own.

 

  1. You have determined whether a direct quote or a paraphrase best fits the situation.

 

  1. No more than 10% of the paper consists of direct quotes.

 

  1. There are no sentence fragments, comma splices, run-on sentences, or agreement errors in the paper. The paper has been carefully proofread for punctuation and spelling errors. You have corrected these and any typographical errors.

 

  1. Each sentence is clearly structured and precise in meaning, without wordiness or syntax problems.

 

  1. Your word choices are precise; you avoid slang, jargon, and inflated “thesaurus” language.

 

  1. You get straight to a point and make it; you do not talk in circles or convolute the issue.

 

  1. You do not use the personal pronoun “you.” Only use the personal pronoun “I” or “we” if you are using a personal anecdote in your introduction or conclusion, or if you are reporting primary research that you conducted. Maintain an objective and professional tone.

 

  1. Write in the appropriate tense. Use present tense except when presenting historical background (then use past tense).

 

  1. Your Works Cited citations are in correct MLA 8th ed. format.