Summer 1999 -- 1st Term
Dr. Beth S. Bennett
FINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Your paper must be typed and limited to 1200-1500 words, approximately three to five pages in length. Standard 1 or 1 ½ inch margins, lines double-spaced (for a 66 max. page), and 10-12 pitch typeset are all expected to be used.

Specifically, the paper should provide the following:

    1. A description of your attitudes or beliefs about the problem initially,
    2. An analysis of the major issues raised by the group during this term which have been relevant to your decision making, and
    3. An account of the ramifications of your decision upon the problem in general.

For purposes of discussion and clarification within your paper, you may need to incorporate specific data from the group's presentations in class as illustration or support. Be certain, therefore, to cite the source (specific individual) of your data properly within the paper. PAPERS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 10:30 A.M., FRIDAY, 9 JULY 1999.

The outline below is suggested as an organizational guide for the position paper.

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Brief identification of the problem at issue

 

1. What is the problem?

 

2. What was your initial perspective on the problem?

 

3. Why do you believe a decision on this case is critical?

B. Statement of your position

C. Preview of the main points to be developed in the paper

II. MAIN PART OF THE PAPER (THE ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF YOUR POSITION)

A. How did you assess the group's treatment of the issue?

 

1. Did they cover the main issues pertinent to the problem?

 

2. How reliable was the information they presented?

 

3. How useful or systematic were their arguments pertaining to the issue?

B. How did you make your decision on the issue?

 

1. What criteria did you use?

 

2. What elements of the problem did you see as the most significant?

III. CONCLUSIONS

A. Why is your position the best possible decision?

B. What questions or problems still remain? 

 



Beth S. Bennett, bbennett@bama.ua.edu. Created 9 June 1999.