Assignment:
This is the first 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 the first four weeks 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.
Note: If your score is below 90%, you will have the opportunity to revise the paper. This is an option and is not required. Your score could possibly be improved by up to 10%, not to exceed a final score of 90%; but, your score cannot be reduced.
Write a two to three (2 to 3) page (700 to 1,200 words) paper in which you:
1. 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 the audience of what the main and support points are.)
2. Provide two or three (2 to 3) major points to support your thesis statement. (Put each major point in a separate paragraph.)
3. Provide one (1) paragraph in which you identify and answer an expected argument against your view.
4. Organize arguments and support your claims effectively.
5. Demonstrate personal passion for your position and critical thinking with persuasive language, sound logic, valid claims, and credible support for the claims.
6. Provide two to three (2 to 3) credible and reliable references (in addition to the textbook) 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.
"The Media and Race" Please respond to the following:
• Debate It - Take a position on this statement: Representation of race in the media affects our perceptions of individuals. Support your views with one or two reasons and / or examples. (Cite any sources you referenced.)
• Discuss one or two major problems with the way minorities are represented in the media, highlighting both the lack of diversity and the impact it may have on the way the world views the U.S. Support your views with one or two reasons and / or examples. (Cite any sources you referenced.)
"Listening" Please respond to the following:
• The CEO of the company you work for just announced that 20 people were terminated due to budget cuts. You find out that one of those people is your co-worker, Kathy, that you have had lunch with every week for 10 years straight. She comes to you to share how she's feeling, and for advice on what her next steps will be.
• What type of listener would you plan to be and why? Choose one of the following, and provide an explanation of your choice:
• People-Oriented (A friend willing to lend an ear)
• Action-Oriented (Can grow frustrated with a disorganized speaker)
• Content-Oriented (Soaks up many perspectives on an issue)
• Time-Oriented (More concerned about time than the content of the message)
Your supervisor has asked you to write a brief email on the vacation policy changes to be distributed to staff. You will need to listen to a voice mail from your supervisor with instructions on how to create the email to announce the new vacation policy. The voice mail will include specific details that must be followed in creating the email.
Listen to your supervisor's voice mail here.
Create an email message in which you:
1. Create a one to two (1 to 2) paragraph email with five to seven (5 to 7) sentences that follows your supervisor's instructions.
2. Target the appropriate professional audience.
3. Use appropriate language for professional audience.
4. Use correct email formatting.
5. Follow appropriate netiquette rules for electronic communication.
6. Meet the 250 to 500 word minimum requirement.
7. Use correct sentence mechanics, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
8. Provide the following heading on page one of your email and then begin your email:
o TO: Insert Professor's Name
o FROM: Insert Your Name
o DATE: Insert Assignment's Due Date
o RE: Create a title that relates to your topic and gets your audience's attention.