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ENG 130: Literature 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!

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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.

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• 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.

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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.