position paper

ENG 130: and Comp

ENG 130: Position Paper

This assignment focuses on your ability to: create effective thesis statements; synthesize
research, text support, and personal analyses into a cohesive essay; defend an argument; properly
cite researched material in APA format.

The purpose of completing this assignment is: as a student, career professional, and individual,
learning how to defend your side of an argument with data, experience, and valid information is of
paramount importance. As a student at Post, use this assignment to master the objectives listed
above, particularly APA citation and reference page formatting. You need to know APA and
argumentation techniques!

______________________________________________________________

Prompt (what will you be writing about):

Despite having sold more than 40 million copies, To Kill a Mockingbird is still one of the most

banned books in American school curriculum. This is based in its adult theme and charged

language.

Now that you have viewed this version (which is almost identical to the novel), what do you

think about his ban? Please respond to the following prompt, using the film study, and two

other academic/reliable sources. In your essay, use cited text examples from both research

sources as well as the film.

Should Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird be banned in middle and high schools? Why

or why not?

Instructions (how to get it done):

• Choose your side of this issue and decide what three supporting proofs you are going to use

to defend your argument.

• Create a thesis statement that clearly states your argument and how you are going to prove it.

You are welcome to use the following template:

o It is apparent that Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird,

should be banned in middle and high schools because of reason #1, reason #2,

reason #3.

• Go to the library database and find two sources that will help you defend your argument. You

must use information from these articles in your essay and cite this new information with an in

text-citation. Format for citing from articles is:

o According to research, Lee’s novel has been on the list of top ten banned books since

it was written in 1960 (Miller, 1986).

OR

o According to Miller (1986), Lee’s novel has been on the list of top ten banned books

since it was written in 1960.

• Be sure also to include text examples from the film. These should be cited also. Format for

citing from a movie is:

o For in text citations:

▪ (Director, year) which is (Mulligan, 1962)

o For the reference page citation:

▪ Mulligan, R. (1962). To kill a mockingbird. Brentwood Productions.

• Defend your thesis in an introduction, at least three supporting sections, and a conclusion.

• Check in with your instructor with any and all questions.

Requirements:

• Length and format: 3-4 pages.

• You should have at least two outside sources plus the film.

• The title page and reference page are also required, but they should not be factored into the

3-4 page length of the essay.

• It should also be double spaced and should conform to APA formatting and citation style.

• Use the third-person, objective voice, avoiding personal pronouns such as “I,” “you,” “we,” etc.

• Use APA format for in-text citations and references when using outside sources and textual

evidence.

• Please be cautious about plagiarism. Make sure to use in-text citations for direct quotes,

paraphrases, and new information.

Position Paper Rubric

Does Not Meet
Expectations

0-11

Below
Expectations

12-13

Needs
Improvement

14-15

Satisfactory

16-17

Meets
Expectations

18-20

Organization Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
The paper does
not use
paragraphs.

Writing may have
little discernible
organization, but
some details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
The paper uses
paragraphs
ineffectively.

Writing has
adequate
discernible
organization.
Paragraphs are
generally used
effectively.

Writing is
organized and
details are placed
in a logical order.
Paragraphs are
mostly used
effectively.

Writing is
effective,
purposeful, and
well-organized.
Paragraphs are
used effectively.

Persuasiveness Fails to develop
arguments.

Some arguments
are developed but
need further
elaboration.

Develops most
arguments.

Satisfactorily
develops
arguments.

Expertly and fully
develops
arguments.

Evidence and
Support

Does not include
researched or text
support and/or
text support is not
cited.

Very little evidence
is given and used
in the essay
properly. Research
evidence may not
be incorporated.
Evidence may not
relate to the thesis
statement.
Evidence is cited
but not with the
proper formatting.

Some evidence is
used from one
research source
and the film;
evidence is
somewhat related
to the thesis
statement.
Evidence may or
may not always
cited properly.

Evidence is used
from two outside
sources and the
film; evidence is
mostly tied to the
thesis statement
and used properly
and is cited
properly.

Evidence is
integrated from at
least two outside
sources and the
film; evidence is
used effectively
and cited properly.

APA
Format

APA format is not
followed.

Errors in four areas
of APA format and
style.

Errors in three
areas of APA
format and style.

Errors in two
areas of APA
format and style.

No errors in APA
format and style.

Grammar and
Mechanics

Grammar and
mechanics’ errors
make the essay
incomprehensible.

Grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and
mechanics errors
occur throughout
document. Word
choices are seldom
academic.
Sentence structure
may be illogical or
unclear.

Several errors in
grammar,
punctuation,
spelling and
mechanics
present. Word
choice reveals
some
understanding of
academic
language
requirements.
Many sentence
structure issues
exist.

Some spelling,
grammar,
punctuation and
mechanical errors
are evident.
Academic
language is
upheld. The
sentence structure
is often logical and
clear so that
relationships
among ideas are
established.

Free of
punctuation,
spelling, grammar,
and other
mechanical errors.
Consistent use of
academic word
choices.
Sentence
structure is mostly
logical and clear.

*A zero can be earned if the above criteria are not met.
*Plagiarism will result in a zero.