Position Paper

This assignment focuses on your ability to: create effective thesis statements; synthesize
research, text support, and personal analyses into a cohesive essay; defend an argument; properly
cite researched material in APA format.
The purpose of completing this assignment is: as a student, career professional, and individual,
learning how to defend your side of an argument with data, experience, and valid information is of
paramount importance. As a student at Post, use this assignment to master the objectives listed
above, particularly APA citation and reference page formatting. You need to know APA and
argumentation techniques!
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Prompt (what will you be writing about):
Despite having sold more than 40 million copies, To Kill a Mockingbird is still one of the most
banned books in American school curriculum. This is based in its adult theme and charged
language.
Now that you have viewed this version (which is almost identical to the novel), what do you
think about his ban? Please respond to the following prompt, using the film study, and two
other academic/reliable sources. In your essay, use cited text examples from both research
sources as well as the film.
Should Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird be banned in middle and high schools? Why
or why not?
Instructions (how to get it done):
Choose your side of this issue and decide what three supporting proofs you are going to use
to defend your argument.
Create a thesis statement that clearly states your argument and how you are going to prove it.
You are welcome to use the following template:
o It is apparent that Harper Lees Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird,
should be banned in middle and high schools because of reason #1, reason #2,
reason #3.
Go to the library database and find two sources that will help you defend your argument. You
must use information from these articles in your essay and cite this new information with an in
text-citation. Format for citing from articles is:
o According to research, Lees novel has been on the list of top ten banned books since
it was written in 1960 (Miller, 1986).
OR
o According to Miller (1986), Lees novel has been on the list of top ten banned books
since it was written in 1960. Be sure also to include text examples from the film. These should be cited also. Format for
citing from a movie is:
o For in text citations:
(Director, year) which is (Mulligan, 1962)
o For the reference page citation:
Mulligan, R. (1962). To kill a mockingbird. Brentwood Productions.
Defend your thesis in an introduction, at least three supporting sections, and a conclusion.
Check in with your instructor with any and all questions.
Requirements:
Length and format: 3-4 pages.
You should have at least two outside sources plus the film.
The title page and reference page are also required, but they should not be factored into the
3-4 page length of the essay.
It should also be double spaced and should conform to APA formatting and citation style.
Use the third-person, objective voice, avoiding personal pronouns such as I, you, we, etc.
Use APA format for in-text citations and references when using outside sources and textual
evidence.
Please be cautious about plagiarism. Make sure to use in-text citations for direct quotes,
paraphrases, and new information.