Chapter 18: Taking a Position

CHAPTER 18: TAKING A POSITION

This chapter goes over writing an essay about taking a position. Your goal is to take a stand on a controversial issue, explain what you believe and why you believe it, and encourage readers to respect or adopt your position.

Keys for success

· Explore all positions.

· Go beyond pure opinion; opinions and positions are different.

· Take a measured stand: concede points to your opponent, address objections to your view, let evidence weigh in your favor.

Topics to consider: current affairs, burning issues, divided lines, and fresh fare.

Guidelines on writing an essay on taking a stand

1. Select a topic. Explore current issues you care about.

2. Take stock. Assess your starting point, what is your current position and why, and what evidence do you have

3. Get inside the issue. Investigate all positions, consider doing first hand research, write positions on the top of the page and list pros and cons, and develop a line of reasoning.

4. Refine your position. Clarify your position.

5. Organize your development and support. Use a traditional pattern, blatant confession, delayed gratification, changed mind and winning over.

6. Write first draft.

a. Opening: Seize reader’s imagination and raise concern for the issue.

b. Development: deepen, clarify, and support position.

c. Closing: end on a lively note that stresses your commitment

7. Share your position. Have a peer reviewer see if they can accept your position.

8. Revise your writing. Is your position clearly stated, how your stand affects you and others, are reasons and support reasoning and complete, does it show awareness of questions, concerns, and other positions, does ideas flow smoothly, and is the tone confident and sincere.

9. Edit and proofread.

10. Publish your final essay.