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ENGL Rivers - Position Argument

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Position Argument Essay

As we discussed in class, the goal of a position paper is to convince your readers that your position is thoughtful, well-founded, and worth considering.  To do this, you’ll need to pay very close attention to your own use of rhetoric—you need to effectively establish a reasonable tone, thoughtfully consider the pros and cons of possible counterarguments, and carefully choose sources and examples to back up your claims.

As citizens of the world, you have a stake in either side of these issues. You are entitled to have a position (any position) about any of these topics. There are no right or wrong answers here as long as you take a position and clearly back it up with evidence or examples. I will not judge your essay based on my positions about these issues—this assignment is about how well you defend your stance.

Like your previous essay, this essay needs to remain objective. Your job is not to pass judgment or to state an unproven opinion, but rather the essay needs to focus on the issue and the position you’ve decided to take. Your evidence needs to be provable, logical, and relevant.

  • Use the blue Navigation Buttons on the left of this web page to find the resources you need to narrow your focus and cite your sources.
  • Follow the short Argument Paper Tutorial to break this essay down into manageable tasks.
  • Then go to the Research with Databases tab and choose your Narrow Topic Focus for more resources.
  • Refer to the assignment sheet and rubric provided by your instructor first - and use the Ask a Librarian chat if you have any questions narrowing your search and finding resources.

Remember

  • Start early!

  • Break down the essay into steps

  • Take breaks between steps

  • Don't wait 'til the last minute!! (just saying this one more time because it's so important!)

 

  1. Select a Topic & Choose a Narrower Focus - See the "Research with Databases" Navigation Tab
  2. After Finding All Your Sources, Present Your Argument.
  3. Find and Cite Evidence to Support your Position.
  4. Revise as Needed - Check In-text Citations and Works Cited