Essay 3 Position Paper Instructions

The purpose of the position paper is to give you the opportunity to develop your own argument. In the exploratory paper, the focus was on the main perspectives; in this essay, the focus is on your perspective, which may be one of the perspectives you preliminarily researched in the Exploratory Paper.

In the Position Paper, you will further develop and fully support your perspective, perhaps using some of the same sources from your Exploratory Paper; however, you are also expected to go further in your research. Remember that you must not rely completely on Websites. You are expected and required to use the online databases subscribed to by the Cypress College Library.

Quality of research is an important factor in the evaluation of your final project. Use articles that have been published in academic/scholarly (peer reviewed) journals. You will be asked to introduce all of your sources--providing the author's full name and credentials. If you cannot identify an author for a source or if you cannot clearly establish that the author is an "expert" or authority on your topic/subject, then you should not rely upon that particular source. You may access the library databases from the course site; click on the Cypress College Library navigation link. You will have to enter a username and password to access EBSCOHost; the username is your student ID number, and the password is your last name.

The Position Paper will serve as the body of the final research project.

Directions:

Prepare a researched essay of approximately 1,000 words (4-5 pages) in which you present a single-perspective argument on your issue. Include at least four new sources on the perspective presented in a Works Cited page. These four sources should demonstrate library research. Papers that provide only web sources will not receive a passing grade. These four sources should be in addition to those sources used in the Exploratory Paper. The final research project will include a minimum of eight sources.

The Position Paper should include all of the following components:

1) Present a single-perspective argument on your issue. This means you will choose a position/perspective on your issue. Your position may change as you continue with your research. This is OK. However, you must take a position for this paper.

2) Present your ideas objectively. This means you will present the information in as fair and unbiased way as possible, without use of first person point of view.

1) Use the Toulmin model to identify the parts of your argument: State a clear claim. The rest of your paper will support this claim. Develop the claim with two or three sub-claims. Decide whether to spell out the warrants in the paper or to leave them implicit. Decide whether or not backing is required. Plan a rebuttal; in other words, think about the positions held by others on this issue and develop a rebuttal statement. Decide whether to qualify your claim. Refer to pages 229-230 in Perspectives on Argument for a sample position paper. The type of claim, the elements of the Toulmin model, and the proofs are identified in the margin.

2) Follow these formatting/composition guidelines: Your position paper should be typed in a 10-12 point font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides. Your essay should be written in third person perspective. Your essay should follow MLA documentation format. Your essay should have a titled that reflects the argument/content of the paper--centered at top of first page. Save your document as a “Word” (.docx) file and upload your essay to the assignment area in Blackboard by the due date/time.

Grading Criteria:

Your essays will be evaluated for the following: strength of argument, development of claim, thoroughness of research, writing ability, completeness of the writing process, meeting the requirements of the assignment.