Q PAT 3: Issue Analysis Paper Competencies VI.1: Arrange ideas and data into a coherent argument in favor of a specific claim or proposition. V.4: Analyze a claim from multiple points of view. V.5: Investigate a controversial issue through structured research. V.6: Break down a complex issue into its component parts, evidence and reasoning. V.7: Discriminate logical from emotional appeals. Directions For this performance assessment task, you will complete an Issue Analysis paper. The purpose of an Issue Analysis paper is to structure an argument, based on research, showing why your position on a controversial issue is better than another position. You want to convince your readers to agree with you. In order to prove your points, you need to appeal to logic, authority, and emotions. You also need to show both sides of the argument, but you need to show where problems exist with the opposition. Ask your instructor for some examples of controversial issues if you can’t decide on one. Be sure that your paper is in APA style (see sample paper for formatting help). Here are your steps: 1. Choose a topic to research for your paper. A sample list of topics can be found in Canvas. 2. Find five (5) sources to research your topic. These should be credible sources. Note on credible sources: Wikipedia and ProCon.org are not to be included as final sources. Make sure you have information from your sources on both sides of the issue. A good argument brings in the opposition in order to show the author has researched the issue before concluding which side is the better choice. 3. Carefully read the five sources. Decide where you stand on this issue, what the common arguments are, what each side says about the issue, and why your side is the better choice. 4. Construct your paper making sure to have an introduction, body, and conclusion. 5. Be sure to include a works cited page. Make sure it meets the criteria on the scoring guide, and is in APA style. 6. Be sure to include a cover page and reference/works cited page. Paper length is a minimum of 4 - 7 pages, not counting the cover page or reference page, double-spaced 12-point Times New Roman with one-inch margins. Issue Analysis Paper Scoring Guide Scoring Standard You must achieve a rating of at least “yes” or “2” on each criterion to demonstrate competence. Rating Scale 3: Work exceeds criterion by showing insight, creativity, resourcefulness, or attention to detail 2: Work meets criterion at a basic level of competence 1: Work does not meet criterion 0: Work is missing, incorrect, or incomplete Scoring Guide Criteria Ratings 1. Learner demonstrates awareness of viewpoints other than own, and enumerate the conclusions, reasons, and evidence for each point of view 3 2 1 0 2. Learner builds cases of relatively equal depth for opposed conclusions on a single topic 3 2 1 0 3. Learner withholds judgment until comprehension of all points is complete 3 2 1 0 4. Learner analyzes a claim based on its individual main points, and analysis lists separately the main idea, reasons and evidence 3 2 1 0 5. Learner correctly identifies specific emotional and logical appeals in somebody else's persuasive attempt 3 2 1 0 6. Learner generates logical and emotional appeals as part of your own persuasive attempt 3 2 1 0 7. Learner can link researched information to specific points in the paper 3 2 1 0 8. Learner uses APA style and a logical research plan for the paper 3 2 1 0 9. Learner generates an argument in support of a personal viewpoint 3 2 1 0 10. Learner follows a reasons-and-evidence format 3 2 1 0 11. Learner includes a rationale for your position 3 2 1 0 12. Learner anticipates objections to own argument 3 2 1 0 13. Learner includes the description of two or more opposing positions 3 2 1 0 14. Learner includes the errors or holes in the reasoning for each of the opposing positions 3 2 1 0 15. Learner includes objective critique of the rationale of your position 3 2 1 0 16. Learner includes critique with both positive and negative comments 3 2 1 0 17. Learner uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling 3 2 1 0 18. Learner locates credible information which can be used to support claims and cites that information in a works cited page. Yes (3) no (0) 19. Learner chose a topic on which there is a disagreement. Yes (3) no (0) 20. Learner constructs well organized paper that is properly formatted with the appropriate length. Yes (3) no (0)