Writing a Position Paper

Developed by: Monica Alcaraz-Snow, Cal State Fullerton Genice Gilreath, Santa Ana College Charmaine Phipps Smith, Cal Poly Pomona Melissa Bader, Cal Poly Pomona

Level: IEP/Community College/University

Before you begin:

This lesson is adaptable to any current event or issue that will promote a position paper.

Objectives:

• Students will write a position paper on a current event or issue.
• Students will use relative clauses and conditional forms in the paper.
• Students will use logical argumentation skills or persuasive skills to make their point.
• Students will use Internet sources for background information and support of their argument.

In this paper, students will argue for or against the legalization of euthanasia. The instructor will need to find two or three website sources for each position before he/she begins the lesson.

Requirements:

No Computers needed

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to use the Internet and e-mail at the public library.
2. Students will compare housing using two resources, the Internet and newspaper ads.

Introduction:

Previewing: Talk to the class about Dr. Kevorkian and the controversy that surrounds his activities. Engage the students in a discussion about euthanasia (define the concept) and ask for personal experiences that relate to the topic. Discuss any pertinent vocabulary words such as: euthanasia, life support, Hippocratic oath, suicide, no-resuscitate order etc.

A articles about Dr. Kevorkian can be found at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kevorkian/aboutk/

*If time and technology permits, it would be good to show a clip of “ER” where a “do not resuscitate” order comes into play. Put the students into discussion groups and provide a discussion card with the question: Should euthanasia be legal? Students can discuss the variety of standpoints. Each group can brainstorm scenarios in which euthanasia should be employed and scenarios in which it should not.

Presentation

DAY ONE Put the students into discussion groups and provide a discussion card with the question:

Should euthanasia be legal?

Students can discuss the variety of standpoints. Each group can brainstorm scenarios in which euthanasia should be employed and scenarios in which it should not.

Practice

DAY TWO

For Beginners: Read one article or website about euthanasia and bring information to the next class meeting for discussion.

For Intermediate/Advanced Writers: Read two or more articles about Euthanasia and bring the information they find to the next class meeting for discussion.

DAY TWO POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES

For Beginners: Discuss the information students have found on euthanasia.

For Intermediate/Advanced Writers:

• Discuss the information students have found on euthanasia.
• Create a class cluster on the board based on the issues involved with euthanasia.
• Develop sentences that implement the current grammar topics of the class.
  • o For example, Dr. Kevorkian is a doctor who ___________________ (fill in)

DAY THREE IN-CLASS WRITING ASSIGNMENT

For Beginners: Write 3-4 sentences on the topic of euthanasia. Do you agree or disagree with the practice of euthanasia?

For Intermediate/Advanced Writers: Write a one-page paragraph on the topic of euthanasia. Make sure to include your opinion about the practice and examples to support your opinion.

*This can be adjusted/lengthened for advanced writers.

Perhaps have them site specific websites or articles to support their opinion.

FOLLOWUP ACTIVITIES

• Post opinions on an internet discussion board on the topic
• Discuss the legalization of euthanasia
• Create a website summarizing the information.
• Discuss how this issue is dealt with in their home countries,
• Interview medical professionals about the topic and write summaries of the responses

Sources:

http://www.tompaine.com

http://www.lwc.edu/administrative/library/suic.htm

http://www.georgetown.edu/research/nrcbl/biblios/suicide.htm

http://www.learner.org/exhibits/medicalethics

http://www.facts.com/icof/i00057.htm

http://www.thebody.com/legal/suicide.html