The paper is a position paper about the issue of school vouchers. I am taking the stance of being OPPOSED to school vouchers. The assignement is listed below:
Chapter Two Family Choice in Education
Directions: Each student will complete a position paper due at the end of the semester. Each position paper is worth 30 points and represents a total 30% of the course grade. All papers should be 5 to 7, double-spaced pages utilizing APA format. The topic for the position paper is Chapter 2: Family Choice in Education: Public Interest or Private Good (pgs. 49-68).
All students must take a position (Pro or Con) on the required question and provide their rationale through research from both the textbook and external resources. Students are expected to have a minimum of three external resources beyond the textbook.
How to Write a Position Paper
The purpose of a position paper is to generate support on an issue. It describes a position on an issue and the rationale for that position. The position paper is based on facts that provide a solid foundation for your argument. With the position paper, the degree candidate should:
Use evidence to support your position, such as statistical evidence or dates and events.
Validate your position with authoritative references or primary source quotations.
Examine the strengths and weaknesses of your position.
Evaluate possible solutions and suggest courses of action.
You will be assigned an issue where there is a clear division of opinion and which is arguable with facts and inductive reasoning. You may choose an issue on which you have already formed an opinion. However, in writing about this issue you must examine your opinion of the issue critically. Prior to writing your position paper, define and limit your issue carefully. Social issues are complex with multiple solutions. Narrow the topic of your position paper to something that is manageable. Research your issue thoroughly, consulting experts and obtaining primary documents. Consider feasibility, cost-effectiveness and political/social climate when evaluating possible solutions and courses of action. The following structure is typical of a position paper:
An introduction
Identification of the issue
Statement of the position
The body
Background information
Supporting evidence or facts
A discussion of both sides of the issue
A conclusion
Suggested courses of action
Possible solutions
The introduction should clearly identify the issue and state the author’s position. It should be written in a way that catches the reader’s attention. The body of the position paper may contain several paragraphs. Each paragraph should present an idea or main concept that clarifies a portion of the position statement and is supported by evidence or facts. Evidence can be primary source quotations, statistical data, interviews with experts, and indisputable dates or events. Evidence should lead, through inductive reasoning, to the main concept or idea presented in the paragraph. The body may begin with some background information and should incorporate a discussion of both sides of the issue. The conclusion should summarize the main concepts and ideas and reinforce, without repeating, the introduction or body of the paper. It could include suggested courses of action and possible solutions.
