Writing the Position Paper Social 10-1

Overview of A Position Paper   The Source will always be a quote that reflects a particular perspective. Regardless of the source, you will ALWAYS be asked the same question: TO WHAT EXTENT SHOULD WE EMBRACE THE PERSPECTIVE(S) REFLECTED IN THE SOURCE?  Your position (Thesis) will be a guide for your entire essay. It will be the focus of every argument you present. Your evidence is used to support your thesis. Support your position by providing evidence from your knowledge and understanding of the topic (this is where you insert the stuff you learn in class). This essay should be written in a formal manner. Therefore you must have a minimum of five to six paragraphs.

Example Let’s take a look at what an essay looks like: Quote: Cows are the best animal in the world. Thesis Options: We should fully embrace the perspective of the source (agree) We should not embrace the perspective of the source (disagree) We should only partly embrace the perspective of the source (in the middle)

Option 1 We should fully embrace the perspective of the source Arguments: Cows provide a valuable resource for nutritional food Cows prevent forest and grass fires through containing underbrush growth Cows are a valuable resource for the Alberta economy

Option 2 We should not embrace the perspective of the source Arguments: Cows cause environmental damage through methane gas Cows cause the overuse and destruction of crop lands Many animals have superior characteristics than the cow

Option 3 We should only partly embrace the perspective of the source Arguments: Cows provide a valuable resource for nutritional food Cows cause environmental damage through methane gas Cows can help control over growth of plants but can also cause the overuse and destruction of crop lands

The Source “Our relationships need to evolve back into a partnership… people to people, culture to culture, nation to nation. That is the direction we need to take.” -Al Ducharme, Metis history teacher, La Ronge, Saskatchewan, quoted in People to People, Nation to Nation: The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996 To what extent should we embrace the perspective reflected in the source?

Analysis Of the Source Analyze and clarify its meaning Your question is based on a source that reflects a perspective on globalization. The question asks you to: Analyze and clarify its meaning investigate the assumptions provide viewpoints or perspectives discover reasons, evidence and causes Investigate implications and consequences

Analysis of the Source “Our relationships need to evolve back into a partnership… people to people, culture to culture, nation to nation. That is the direction we need to take.” What is a partnership? What does it mean to “evolve”? Who would be involved in the above partnership? What is a nation? What does the source mean? Your interpretation must address all parts of the source. What is the perspective of the source? What is its viewpoint on the issue? Is there any inherent bias in the source? Who or what groups would advocate the perspective present in the source? Why? Who or what groups would counter the perspective present in the source? Why? What motivation would the author or cartoonist have for showing you this information?

implications & consequences “Our relationships need to evolve back into a partnership… people to people, culture to culture, nation to nation. That is the direction we need to take.” What partnerships historically existed with First Nations? When did these partnerships occur? Were the partnerships based on equality? What are the implications/consequences of evolving back to those partnerships? What is the legacy of those partnerships? What are the implications/consequences of these partnerships on contemporary society? What direction is the source suggesting these partnerships go?

Create your thesis A good thesis is not only a debatable position, but also suggests the structure of the paper. The thesis allows the reader to imagine and anticipate the flow of the paper Your thesis statement should: State your position Refer to the source (if you have not already done so in your introductory paragraph)

Thesis statement: The 3 Perspectives You completely agree with the source: “We should embrace the perspective of the source” You completely disagree with the source: “We should not embrace the perspective of the source” You partially agree or disagree with the source: “We should only partially embrace the perspective in the source” or “We should only embrace the perspective to a certain extent”

Example Thesis Statements “Our relationships need to evolve back into a partnership… people to people, culture to culture, nation to nation. That is the direction we need to take.” We should fully embrace the source because it is unfair that Aboriginals are still being controlled by the government with no voice. Although a “partnership” relationship between the federal government and aboriginal peoples would be nice in theory, we should only partially embrace the perspective of the source because Aboriginal people’s traditional way of life has already been destroyed. We should only embrace the perspective of the source to a certain extent because there are too many roadblocks that cannot be overcome.

Thesis Statements With a partner, write a possible thesis statement for the following source: “Our relationships need to evolve back into a partnership… people to people, culture to culture, nation to nation. That is the direction we need to take.”

Arguments to prove your thesis Thesis & Arguments Choose one of the thesis statements, and brainstorm possible arguments to support this statement. Thesis: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Arguments to prove your thesis (3 at minimum):

Putting it All together Use the exemplar essay, and go through the elements of the introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion:

Introduction Analysis of the source- this is where you identify any bias in the source and then you keep to answer the following questions: What does the source mean? Your interpretation of the source needs to be comprehensive. Who or what groups would advocate the perspective present in the source? Why? Who or what groups would counter the perspective present in the source? Why? What motivation would the author or cartoonist have for showing you this information? Transition- moves you from the analysis of source to the thesis that you chose.   Thesis statement- Determine whether you agree, disagree or partially agree with the source. Your thesis will begin like one of the three following: You completely agree with the source: “We should embrace the perspective of the source” You completely disagree with the source: “We should not embrace the perspective of the source” You partially agree or disagree with the source: “We should only partially embrace the perspective in the source” or “We should only embrace the perspective to a certain extent”

Mentor Text: Introduction Paragraph The author of the source implies that the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and today’s government is unfair and unequal due to past legacies of historical globalization. Past interactions between fur traders and their aboriginal guides demonstrated a relationship that was of mutual benefit: “people to people, culture to culture, nation to nation”. Since that time, government policies such as assimilation, had a negative effect on Aboriginal peoples and their cultures. Some examples of unfair treatment are the Indian Act, unequal land treaties, and residential schools. The Federal government today recognizes the injustices caused by past policies, but believes that an equal relationship with Aboriginals can be achieved through discussion and reconciliation. However, Aboriginal groups may argue that past relationships between their peoples and the Federal government was never equal to begin with; therefore, the hope that these relationships could “evolve back” is close to impossible. The desire to have a relationship built on mutual respect is a natural desire; however, both sides must recognize each other as equals. Although a “partnership” between the federal government and Aboriginal peoples may be theoretically possible, we should only partially embrace the perspective of the source because Aboriginal peoples’ traditional way of life has already been destroyed.

Mentor Text: Introduction Paragraph The author of the source implies that the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and today’s government is unfair and unequal due to past legacies of historical globalization. Past interactions between fur traders and their aboriginal guides demonstrated a relationship that was of mutual benefit: “people to people, culture to culture, nation to nation”. Since that time, government policies such as assimilation, had a negative effect on Aboriginal peoples and their cultures. Some examples of unfair treatment are the Indian Act, unequal land treaties, and residential schools. The Federal government today recognizes the injustices caused by past policies, but believes that an equal relationship with Aboriginals can be achieved through discussion and reconciliation. However, Aboriginal groups may argue that past relationships between their peoples and the Federal government was never equal to begin with; therefore, the hope that these relationships could “evolve back” is close to impossible. The desire to have a relationship built on mutual respect is a natural desire; however, both sides must recognize each other as equals. Although a “partnership” relationship between the federal government and Aboriginal peoples may be theoretically possible, we should only partially embrace the perspective of the source because Aboriginal people’s traditional way of life has already been destroyed. Blue- perspective Purple- analysis of source Green- supporters of source Red- Critics of source Black- thesis statement

Body Paragraphs A BODY is comprised of three things: A statement that is a reasonable, logical & can be supported (persuasive) Specific support (examples) An explanation of how the evidence supports your argument and how this proves your position & is related to the source   Body Paragraphs: The topic sentence/argument for your paragraph. Topic Sentences/arguments are NOT examples!! Arguments must be logical & reasonable & based on at least one of these considerations: ethical/moral, environmental, political, economic, historical Explain why your argument is true. A tip: Ask either “How?” or “Why?” and explain it. Support your arguments with specific evidence that is accurate, relevant & detailed – could be historical, theoretical, or contemporary (current events) You can provide counter-arguments and discuss why the other perspectives are wrong (REFUTATION) as long as they don’t overpower your own arguments, or confuse your reader. All things written in your paragraph should be related and linked to the source and your thesis. Concluding sentence should be used to relate your evidence to back to your argument and thesis. REMEMBER S.E.X. (Statement(argument); Evidence; eXplanation (how evidence proves your argument & position)

Conclusion The CONCLUSION is comprised of three things: Re-statement of the thesis statement (USE OTHER WORDS). Summary of Arguments PQRS – Choose ONE of these **End with a “TaDaa” statement Prediction Question Recommendation Statement   Do NOT introduce new information in your conclusion

Your Turn! Using the information we have gathered start writing your essay. Step one, combine your analysis with your thesis to create your introduction Choose evidence to support each of your arguments and build your body paragraphs Use your conclusion to summarize the key points of your essay. Refer to the rubric that is provided to check that you are including all the necessary elements.