How to Write Good Position

Papers!!!

1.Linking Words

What are linking words?

1. They are words or phrases that link or relate two ideas to one another.

2. We can use them to contrast information, make comparisons, add

information, or give our reasoning for having said something.

Linking words that compare

1. Similarly: John likes to play baseball. Similarly, Jenna likes to play

softball.

2. Also: I like baseball. I also like football.

3. Like: My parents are like me. They are short and have curly hair.

4. Compared to: She is tall compared to her friend.

Linking words that help you contrast 1. On the contrary: I like to dance. On the contrary, Sarah likes to read

2. One the one hand...on the other hand: On the one hand, I like cooking because I like

food, but on the other hand, I don’t like it because it’s a lot of work.

3. To the contrary: I like to dance. To the contrary, Sarah likes to read.

4. In contrast: In contrast to Philadelphia, Madrid is warmer.

5. However: I like fruit. However, I like vegetables more.

6. But: I like fruit, but I like vegetables more.

7. Still: Women’s rights issues are really important. Still, we must also focus on equal

rights for people of color.

8. While/Whereas: Whereas I like fruit, my brother only likes vegetables.

9. Nevertheless: I don’t approve of all of Hillary’s policies. Nevertheless, I think she is the

best candidate for the job.

Linking words that help you provide an example

1. For example: I like many sports. For example, I like baseball and

football.

2. For instance: I like many sports. For instance, I like baseball and

football.

3. Such as: She plays many sports, such as softball and hockey.

4. Including: She plays many instruments, including the guitar.

Linking words that show cause and effect

1. Therefore: I grew up by the beach. Therefore, I like the beach.

2. Thus: I grew up by the beach. Thus, I like the beach.

3. As such: I grew up by the beach. As such, I like the beach.

4. Accordingly: I grew up by the beach. Accordingly, I like the beach.

Linking words that help you add you to what

you’ve already said

1. Additionally: I like swimming. Additionally, I like running.

2. Moreover: He is a bad president because he is racist. Moreover, he

is sexist.

3. In addition: In addition to liking swimming, he also likes basketball.

4. Also: I like swimming. I also like basketball.

5. Too: He likes swimming and she likes swimming too.

6. As well as: He likes swimming as well as basketball.

2. Good Thesis

Statements

So, what is a thesis statement?

A lot of things! That’s why it’s so important.

● It tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.

● It lays out an argument that others might disagree with.

● It proposes a new way of understanding a certain topic.

***Important***

Thesis statements are almost always one sentence long and almost always come at

the very end of the introduction.

What makes a good thesis statement?

1. The thesis statement must be debatable.

***debatable=something you can argue about

2. The thesis statement must be focused/specific.

Question: What should be done to stop pollution of our

environment?

Which thesis statement do you think better answers the

question?

“Pollution is bad for the

environment and therefore

it should be stopped.”

“To stop pollution, we

should ride our bikes more

frequently, recycle every

day, and turn off our lights

when we aren’t home.”

Why?

2 1 0

Grammar Contains few or no grammatical

errors and is formatted

according to instructions.

Contains some grammar and

punctuation errors, however they

do not hinder the understanding

of the paper.

The grammar errors hinder

understanding of the

paragraph’s ideas.

Structure Organized in a logical manner.

Each sentence leads into the

next. Contains all information

necessary.

Most of the key elements of the

paragraph are present but are

out of order.

Missing vital information for the

paragraph and sentences seem

disconnected from each other.

Topic Introduction The topic and purpose of the

paper is clearly defined.

Appropriately addresses the

audience (the UNICEF

committee).

The topic and the purpose of the

paper are evident but language

is unfocused or confused. May

not address the audience

correctly.

The topic and purpose of the

paper are unclear from the

introduction paragraph.

Background Sufficient background

information is given to introduce

the significance of the UNICEF

topic.

Some background information

about the topic exists but its

significance is hard to determine.

Missing explanation about topic

background and significance.

Thesis Statement Clearly and concisely states the

paper’s purpose in a single

sentence, which is thought

provoking.

The purpose of the paper is

stated but is not clear or direct.

The purpose of the paper cannot

easily be determined.

Total /10

Position Paper Introduction Rubric

Which of these is a thesis statement?

●Discuss a person you admire and why you chose this person.

●A: One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935.

●B: One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

B!

●B: One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

●A is a factual statement (it cannot be argued with) but B has an opinion that can be

argued with

Which of these is a/the better thesis statement?

●Discuss the social, political and economic effects of World War II on the United

States.

●A: World War II was a costly war that had a major impact on the economy of the

United States.

●B: World War II not only affected the economy of the United States, but also

altered the role of the American government and the American people forever.

B!

●B: World War II not only affected the economy of the United States, but also altered

the role of the American government and the American people forever.

●Addresses all of the effects stated in the prompt (A only addresses the “economic”

effects named in the prompt)

Which of these is a/the better thesis statement?

Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization in one South Asian

country.

●A: Globalization in India has offered solutions to poverty for some and created

more severe poverty for others.

●B: In India, globalization has meant new jobs for India’s emerging middle class.

A!

●A: Globalization in India has offered solutions to poverty for some and created more

severe poverty for others.

●There is an opinion and the statement addresses positive and negative aspects of

globalization.

Personal Position Paper Activity

Write a page-long paper about yourself, structured like a Global Classrooms

Position paper. Make sure you include a proper thesis and at least 5 linking words.

Underline your thesis and circle the linking words you use. Write your essay on a

clean, separate sheet of paper you can hand in.

This assignment is due Monday/Tuesday Nov. 5/6

Works Cited

●Bakely, Leah. “Copy of Position Papers, Linking Words, and Thesis Statements.”

Global Classrooms & UN Teaching Materials. Madrid Fulbright Mentors, 10 November

2016. Web. 29 October 2017.

●Pfrecords. “Writing Thesis Statements: an Interactive Activity to Develop Effective

Writing Skills.” SlideShare. LinkedIn Learning, 26 September 2013. Web. 29 October

2017.