Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to encourage you to write a position paper that defends your 

position on a controversial issue.  Your introduction should present your issue, provide 

background, and state the claim you intend to support.  According to your text, “[A] claim is, in 

fact, a statement of opinion that then must be argued. In argument essays, your thesis states a 

clear position or claim, and the body of the essay provides ample support to convince your 

reader of your position” (Green and Lawlor Chapter 12).  In constructing your claim, strive to 

develop audience-based reasons. The body of your argument should summarize and respond 

to opposing views as well as present reasons and evidence in support of your own position. You

will need to use at least 4-5 outside sources to supplement the evidence (logos) you may have 

in order to create a positive ethos (credibility).  

Objectives

:

Students should be able to:

1.

To take a stand on an issue

2.

Offer reasons and evidence in support of a controversial position of a particular issue.

3.

Summarize and respond to alternative views

4.

Use MLA documentation practices to document research evidence that they have 

integrated into their arguments.

5.

Use the components of the Classical Approach to argument as studied in class.

 

 

equirements:

4-5 pages minimum (not including the Works Cited page)

MLA Format and Documentation are IMPERATIVE



1” margins—top, bottom, left and right; left justified



Name block includes your name, instructor’s name the class/CRN [ENG 1102-12345] 

and the date



Header should be ½” from the top right margin and should include your last name and 

page number



The entire document should be double-spaced and in 12-point, Times New Roman font



Works Cited page



In-text citation documenting quoted and summarized research references [logos] 

of your topic.

Assessment:

Your paper will be assessed on the quality of the following



Thesis



Clear development of ideas [your viewpoints and opposing viewpoints of the argument]

 

Mechanics

 

Usage and punctuation

 

MLA Format 

and

Documentation