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Essay 3 – Multiple Sources Position Paper – Ling 94

Draft 1: 12/3/15 Draft 1 Returned: 12/8/15 Final Draft: 12/12/15 (at final exam)

Readings

“I See Why Others Choose to Die” by Jerry Fensterman

“In Defense of Voluntary Euthanasia” by Sidney Hook

“Suicide by Choice? Not So Fast” by Ben Mattlin

“Promoting a Culture of Abandonment” by Teresa Wagner

Prompt

In the four texts listed above, Fensterman, Hook, Wagner and Mattlin each share their views on the issue of euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. For this assignment, develop an argument that

1) expresses a position (THESIS STATEMENT) on whether physician assisted suicide should be legal (YOUR OWN OPINION) and

2) supports your position with evidence from these texts

To support your position with evidence from the texts, you will need to employ synthesizing techniques (not a summary of each author’s entire article) by organizing your argument around topics and common themes, and identifying connections among the texts. In other words, organize your paper by IDEAS rather than sources. Also, remember that not everything the author writes in his or her article will be relevant to your essay. In addition to taking a position, you will also need to counter-argue viewpoints that are different from your position. That is, you will need to acknowledge what other people believe and then explain why your position is better or more correct. YOU CAN USE PERSONAL OPINION AS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR REASONS IN ADDITION TO (BUT NOT INSTEAD OF) EVIDENCE FROM THE ARTICLES.

To get started, it will help if you address the following questions:

* How do I feel about the topic?

*In what ways do the texts support or agree with one another? Do the texts share similar ideas about this topic? (by thinking about which texts agree with each other, you can find multiple sources to support each of your reasons)

*Are there places where the texts contradict or disagree with one another? (this will help you come up with rebuttals for opposing arguments)

Audience

You are writing in an academic tone for people who come from educated backgrounds. Imagine you are writing for a well-respected opinion section of a magazine or newspaper.

Paper Length and Format

Your essay will be typed in 12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced, with one inch margins.

Your essay will be 4-5 pages, not including the list of references.

Your essay will include a References list in APA format that lists the bibliographic information for the three articles your paper is based on.

Please give your paper a title and staple your paper.

You must submit both a paper (hard copy) and electronic copy of the essay.

​Possible Outlines:

1) Introduction

a) Explain the topic of physician assisted suicide

i) Definition of physician assisted suicide, voluntary euthanasia, death with dignity, assisted suicide

ii) Explain why it’s a controversial issue. What are the different sides?

iii) Explain who cares about or is affected by this issue.

iv) THESIS STATEMENT: state your claim and list your reasons (optional)

2) Body Section 1: Reason 1

a) Topic sentence

b) Evidence from author a

c) Evidence from author b

d) Personal opinion/ experience (optional)

e) Explanation of how evidence supports your reason

3) Body Section 2: Reason 2

4) Body Section 3: Reason 3 (optional)

5) Body Section 4: Counterargument (opposing view) and rebuttal (reason 4)

a) Topic sentence- a statement of one of the opposing side’s arguments, and a brief summary of your response to it. Ex: “Although some argue that physician assisted suicide should be legal as long as there are laws in place to prevent abuse, there is no way to guarantee that any of the current safeguards have prevented abuse or will prevent it in the future.”

b) For example, evidence from author c or d (or both)

c) Rebuttal: However, evidence from author a or b (or both) that supports your position. You can also add personal opinion.

d) Concluding sentence that makes a final statement about why your argument is better.

6) Conclusion

a) Restate your claim and summarize your main reasons that support your claim.

1) Introduction

a) Explain the topic of physician assisted suicide

i) Definition of physician assisted suicide, voluntary euthanasia, death with dignity, assisted suicide

ii) Explain why it’s a controversial issue. What are the different sides?

iii) Explain who cares about or is affected by this issue.

iv) THESIS STATEMENT: state your claim and list your reasons (optional)

2) Body Section 1: Counterargument (opposing view) and rebuttal (reason 1)

a) Topic sentence- a statement of one of the opposing side’s arguments, and a brief summary of your response to it. Ex: “Although some argue that physician assisted suicide should be legal as long as there are laws in place to prevent abuse, there is no way to guarantee that any of the current safeguards have prevented abuse or will prevent it in the future.”

b) For example, evidence from author c or d (or both)

c) Rebuttal: However, evidence from author a or b (or both) that supports your position. You can also add personal opinion.

d) Concluding sentence that makes a final statement about why your argument is better.

3) Body Section 2: Counterargument (opposing view) and rebuttal (reason 2)

a) Topic sentence- a statement of one of the opposing side’s arguments, and a brief summary of your response to it. Ex: “Although some argue that physician assisted suicide should be legal as long as there are laws in place to prevent abuse, there is no way to guarantee that any of the current safeguards have prevented abuse or will prevent it in the future.”

b) For example, evidence from author c or d (or both)

c) Rebuttal: However, evidence from author a or b (or both) that supports your position. You can also add personal opinion.

d) Concluding sentence that makes a final statement about why your argument is better.

4) Body Section 3: Counterargument (opposing view) and rebuttal (reason 3)

a) Topic sentence- a statement of one of the opposing side’s arguments, and a brief summary of your response to it. Ex: “Although some argue that physician assisted suicide should be legal as long as there are laws in place to prevent abuse, there is no way to guarantee that any of the current safeguards have prevented abuse or will prevent it in the future.”

b) For example, evidence from author c or d (or both)

c) Rebuttal: However, evidence from author a or b (or both) that supports your position. You can also add personal opinion.

d) Concluding sentence that makes a final statement about why your argument is better.

5) Conclusion

a) Restate your claim and summarize your main reasons that support your claim.