Paper details:
Position Paper: You will be reading the two stances on this topic in your text book, on pages 102-108. From there, you will review page 109 and develop your position paper. As you write your paper, think of the following things: 1) Why is scientifically measuring the impact of prayer so challenging? 2) Describe possible mechanisms in which prayer and religion may benefit health 3) What might be the downside of relying on prayer for healing? Develop your position paper by following the outline below: I. Introduction ___A. Introduce the topic ___B. Provide background on the topic to explain why it is important ___C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue). Your introduction has a dual purpose: to indicate both the topic and your approach to it (your thesis statement), and to increase your reader’s interest in what you have to say. One effective way of introducing a topic is to place it in context – to supply a kind of backdrop that will put it in perspective. You should discuss the area into which your topic fits, and then gradually lead into your specific field of discussion (re: your thesis statement). II. Counter Argument ___A. Summarize the counterclaims (from the text) ___B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims (from the text or outside resources) ___C. Refute the counterclaims ___D. Give evidence for argument You can generate counterarguments by asking yourself what someone who disagrees with you might say about each of the points you’ve made or about your position as a whole. Once you have thought up some counterarguments, consider how you will respond to them–will you concede that your opponent has a point but explain why your audience should nonetheless accept your argument? Will you reject the counterargument and explain why it is mistaken? Either way, you will want to leave your reader with a sense that your argument is stronger than opposing arguments. Present each argument fairly and objectively, rather than trying to make it look foolish. You want to show that you have seriously considered the many sides of the issue. Be sure that your reply is consistent with your original argument. If considering a counterargument changes your position, you will need to go back and revise your original argument accordingly. III. Your Argument ___A. Assert point #1 of your claims _____1. Give your educated and informed opinion _____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably 2-3) ___B. Assert point #2 of your claims _____1. Give your educated and informed opinion _____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably 2-3) OPTIONAL FOR FIRST POSITION PAPER: ___C. Assert point #3 of your claims _____1. Give your educated and informed opinion _____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably 2-3) You may have more than 2 overall points to your argument, but you should not have fewer. IV. Conclusion ___A. Restate your argument ___B. Provide a plan of action but do not introduce new information The simplest and most basic conclusion is one that restates the thesis in different words and then discusses its implications. You will be graded on how well you organize your paper and use of supporting evidence to support your point of view. Please note there is no right or wrong answer and this is your opinion but supported with scholarly resources.
