Assignment 2: Position Paper Two – Media and Society

Assignment 2: Position Paper Two – Media and Society
 Due Week 10 and worth 250 points

 This is the second of two (2) position papers based on the following scenario to
be completed in this course.
 Imagine that you are running for a state office (e.g., governor, senator, or
representative) and you have to prepare a position paper for a debate on
controversial issues in the news. (Select one (1) of the topics addressed in
Weeks 5-9 of this class.) You will want your position paper to demonstrate
critical thinking, sound logic, valid claims, personal passion, and credible
support that is cited correctly because the paper will be provided to the news
media before the debate and will be scrutinized by the media and reported on
regarding these criteria. Your professor will serve as your close advisor whose
job is to review the paper and provide feedback to you on the paper’s strengths
and weaknesses. 

 Write a two to three (2-3) page (700 to 1,200 words) paper in which you:

Introduce your position using a thesis statement in the first paragraph, including a
quote, question, or statistic from your reliable sources and an overview of the main
points you will cover. (It’s important to grab the audience’s interest and inform
them of what the main and support points are.)
Provide three or four (3-4) major points to support your thesis statement. (Put each
major point in a separate paragraph.)
Provide one (1) paragraph in which you identify and answer an expected argument
against your view.
Organized arguments and support for claims effectively.
Demonstrate personal passion for your position and critical thinking with persuasive
language, sound logic, valid claims, and credible support for the claims.
Provide two to three (2-3) credible and reliable references (in addition to the
text) about current events, which have been published in the last five (5) years and
are cited correctly in the position paper. (Wikipedia is not an acceptable source.)

 Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins
on all sides; citations and references must follow APA. Check with your professor
for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the
professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference
page are not included in the required assignment page length.

 The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Apply critical thinking skills to the analysis of issues involving mass media and
society.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in media and society.
Write clearly and concisely about media and society using proper writing mechanics.
Note: Depending on the student’s topic selection, the outcome measured might include
one of the following:
Evaluate the appropriateness of various media forms for different audiences.
Analyze selected legal issues and policy regulations pertaining to the media.
Determine how new forms of technology impact first amendment rights
Analyze various issues affecting the media business.
Evaluate the effects of new forms of media (e.g., online services) on social
interactions.
Evaluate the effects of the digital information expansion / explosion on society.