Position Paper: Moral Relativism or Moral Realism (article and instructions attached)
Scanned using Scannx OS15000 PC Position Paper Instructions You will write a 4-6 page formal position paper on the issue examined in the Taking Sides text. Your position must be informed by the “Yes” and “No” sides of this issue presented in this text, without additional outside references. The content of your paper will include the following (see the grading rubric for more detail): 1. An overall introduction to the issue/question with consideration of the audience, purpose, and circumstances of this paper. What exactly is the issue at hand? What is your paper going to be about? What are we looking at here? 2. Your position on the issue. What is your position? Why do you take this position? What information supports your position in the Taking Sides reading? 3. The opposing side of the issue. What does the other side say? What are the objections to your position? How would someone who takes a different position make their case? 4. The refutation of the opposing side. Why are the objections raised by the opposing side incorrect and/or not persuasive? Are their faults in their reasoning? Why is the information supporting the opposing side not persuasive in comparison to your own position? 5. A summary of your position paper. How has your position developed in this paper? Why is your position persuasive in relation to the opposing side of this issue? What new questions or ideas have been raised from this paper? Your paper will include these headings (corresponding with the grading rubric): Introduction My Position Opposing Position Refutation of Opposing Position Position Summary References *Any and all information (e.g., idea, statement, fact, figure, etc.) that comes from a source must be appropriately cited within the content of your paper and referenced in either APA or MLA formatting. Position Paper Grading Rubric: Less than Adequate Adequate Competent Exemplary Introduction 0-2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points Question or issue absent Importance not discussed No summary of the positions and points in the paper No definitions Question or issue unclear No reader engagement Briefly mentions own position Gives a few definitions Provides a clear, recognizable question/issue Engages reader interest somewhat Describes own position Defines most terms Introduces the question/issue and its importance Engages the reader’s interest (i.e., an interesting fact or statistic) Describes the yes and no positions Defines terms and explains ideas for an audience unfamiliar with this topic My Position 0-3 points 4-7 points 8-10 points 11-15 points No position or position is unclear Focuses on no ideas from Points/Counterpoints of the Taking sides reading No quoting/citing from the Taking Sides reading Position is basic and involves minimal critical thought Gives minimal description of one main idea from the Points/Counterpoints Mostly summarizes arguments from article Lacks logic or coherence Less than adequate quoting/citing from the Taking Sides reading Position is clearly stated Gives adequate description of two main ideas from the Points/Counterpoints that support your position Explains what the authors are arguing, but not why they are making those arguments (i.e., the author’s reasoning) Using text to support position, rather than merely summarizing the text Adequate quoting/citing from the Taking Sides reading Position is clearly stated Gives detailed and thorough description of two main ideas from the Points/ Counterpoints that support your position Explains the author’s reasoning why they are arguing for those ideas Quotes and cites ideas thoroughly from the Taking Sides reading to support your position Defines terms and explains ideas for an audience unfamiliar with this topic Opposing Position 0-3 points 4-7 points 8-10 points 11-15 points No position or position is unclear Focuses on no ideas from Points/Counterpoints of the Taking sides reading No quoting/citing from the Taking Sides reading Position is basic and involves minimal critical thought Gives minimal description of one main idea from the Points/Counterpoints Mostly summarizes arguments from article Lacks logic or coherence Less than adequate quoting/citing from the Taking Sides reading Position is clearly stated Gives adequate description of two main ideas from the Points/Counterpoints that support your position Explains what the authors are arguing, but not why they are making those arguments (i.e., the author’s reasoning) Using text to support position, rather than merely summarizing the text Adequate quoting/citing from the Taking Sides reading Position is clearly stated Gives detailed and thorough description of two main ideas from the Points/ Counterpoints that support your position Explains the author’s reasoning why they are arguing for those ideas Quotes and cites ideas thoroughly from the Taking Sides reading to support your position Defines terms and explains ideas for an audience unfamiliar with this topic Refutation of Opposing Position 0-2 points 3-5 points 6-7 points 8-10 points Unclear refutation of the opposing side Unclear use of logical fallacies Less than adequate use of critical thought in refutation Refutes one counterargument from the opposing position using at least one logical fallacy Refutation is basic and involves minimal critical thought Refutes most (more than one) counterarguments from the opposing position using at least one logical fallacy, identifying the fallacy used. Refutation demonstrates adequate critical thinking Refutes all (multiple) counterarguments from the opposing position using at least two logical fallacies, identifying each fallacy used. Refutation demonstrates sophisticated critical thinking Position Summary 0-2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points Repeats introduction Gives partial summary of how your position has been developed and why it is persuasive through presenting the opposing side and refutation Raises no new questions Gives brief summary of your position and how it has developed/has become more persuasive by presenting the opposing side and refutation Gives one new question or idea that has been raised from this essay Gives a detailed and thorough account how your position has been developed and why it is persuasive through presenting the opposing side and refutation Explains a new question or idea that has been raised from this essay that could be examined in further detail in future work Writing and Peer Revision Workshop 0-2 points 3-5 points 6-7 points 8-10 points Almost no links between sections, paragraphs, and sentences Cannot follow reader logic Lacks coherence and clarity Many grammar errors that impede understanding No citations/references in either MLA or APA Writing using passive sentences No formatting Did not print out paper for peer revision workshop Few links between sections, paragraphs, and sentences The reader has difficulty following written ideas step by step without having to make leaps Some wordiness Many grammar errors Few or incorrectly used MLA or APA citations Some formatting Printed paper for peer revision workshop but not actively involved during workshop Missing some links between sections, paragraphs, and sentences The reader usually can follow written ideas step by step without having to make big leaps Occasionally wordy but coherent Usually proper grammar More active than passive sentences Use of most citations/references in either MLA or APA Formatted properly (12 pt font, Times or Times New Roman; 1-inch margins; 8.5 x 11 paper) Printed paper for peer revision workshop and actively involved during workshop Link your sections, paragraphs, and sentences together with clear transitions The reader can follow written ideas step by step without having to make big leaps Coherent, clear, and grammatically correct More active than passive sentences Clarity (avoid wordiness) Use of citations/references in either MLA or APA Uses provided Headers in paper (e.g., Introduction, My Position) Double-spaced with 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins Printed paper for peer revision workshop and actively involved during the workshop