HMS 102 Position Paper Directions and Rubric (in lieu of a final exam)
Here are the steps for developing a position paper, according to ThoughtCo.:
Search a few reputable sites, like education (.edu) sites and government (.gov) sites, to find professional studies and statistics. If you come up with nothing after an hour of searching, or if you find that your position doesn’t stand up to the findings on reputable sites, choose another topic. This could save you from a lot of frustration later.
Challenge Your Own Topic
You must know the opposite view as well as you know your own stance when you take a position. Take the time to determine all the possible challenges that you might face as you support your view. Your position paper must address the opposing view and chip away at it with counter-evidence. Consider having friends, colleagues, or family debate the topic with you to get alternative points of view that you might not have readily considered yourself. When you find arguments for the other side of your position, you can address them in a fair manner, and then state why they are not sound.
Another helpful exercise is to draw a line down the middle of a plain sheet of paper and list your points on one side and list opposing points on the other side. Which argument is really better? If it looks like your opposition might outnumber you with valid points, you should reconsider your topic or your stance on the topic.
Continue to Collect Supporting Evidence
Once you’ve determined that your position is supportable and the opposite position is (in your opinion) weaker than your own, you are ready to branch out with your research. Go to a library and conduct a search, or ask the reference librarian to help you find more sources. You can, of course, conduct online research as well, but it's important to know how to properly vet the validity of the sources you use. Ensure that your articles are written by reputable sources, and be wary of singular sources that differ from the norm, as these are often subjective rather than factual in nature.
A position paper can be arranged in the following format:
1. Introduce your topic with some basic background information. Build up to your thesis sentence, which asserts your position. Sample points:
2. Introduce possible objections to your position. Sample points:
3. Support and acknowledge the opposing points. Just be sure you aren't discrediting your own views. Sample points:
4. Explain that your position is still the best one, despite the strength of counter-arguments. This is where you can work to discredit some of the counter-arguments and support your own. Sample points:
5. Summarize your argument and restate your position. End your paper focusing on your argument and avoid the counter-arguments. You want your audience to walk away with your view on the topic being one that resonates with them.
When you write a position paper, write with confidence and state your opinion with authority. After all, your goal is to demonstrate that your position is the correct one.
ThoughtCo. (2019, July 20). How to write a position paper. ThoughtCo.com. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-position-paper-1857251
The Gateway Library has small reference collection of books on each campus for on-campus use only. The majority of the library collection is online.
Here are some benefits to the online collection:
Check out the tabs above to learn more about the Gateway Library. More information about a specific course or subject area can be located in the menu options on the left of the page.
Credo Reference is a database with more than 270 encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks with 3.1 million entries that are linked and interconnected to create a knowledge network.
Check here for tips on using this search interface!
START HERE for an overview of the databases and links to the most-used databases; you'll also find instructions for how to search the databases and navigate your results!
Greetings! My name is Elizabeth Hartlaub. I have been the Director of Library and Information Services at Gateway since the Summer of 2020.
I have been a librarian for over 15 years with both public and academic library experience. Some professional positions I held prior to coming to Gateway are as follows:
~ Library Operations Manager - UC Blue Ash
~ Branch Manager - Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
I am originally from Cincinnati and attended Xavier University for my undergraduate degree in International Affairs. My career in libraries started when I worked as a Student Assistant at the XU Library!
I was a first generation college student and found that the library provided the academic support and empowerment I needed to succeed in my studies. This doesn't go without saying that I also had an amazing group of family, friends, and other academic support at the university to help me along the way. My advice to any student is that you are not alone as you work through your courses! Engage with your school and personal support system early and often!
A few years after I graduated from XU, I earned a Master's Degree in Library Science at Indiana University - Bloomington.
My favorite part of being a librarian is connecting with students and guiding them through the research and information literacy process. Research is one of my favorite parts of being a librarian and I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love and share that knowledge with others!
In my free time, I love hiking and playing outside with my two children, going to baseball games at Great American Ball Park, and gardening in my small-but-mighty backyard garden.
One fun fact about me is that I started learning French when I was in Kindergarten. I kept with it all the way through to earning a minor at XU. I have visited France three times, including living there for 6 months as a part of a study abroad opportunity. I am really rusty, but I think I can still carry on a conversation if needed.
Email: Elizabeth.Goodman@kctcs.edu
Phone: 859-442-4162
Office Location: UB208 (in the TIE building)
Hello! My name is Luke Blasi, and I am a current MLIS student at Kent State. I earned my bachelor's degree in history from Xavier University in 2023. I have experience offering user-focused services in library, universities, and museums throughout my career. I am an avid reader and researcher myself, and I am eager to work with you all!
If you have any quick questions, please do not hesitate to come see me at the Edgewood IC Desk.
Priscilla Kapungu
Email: Priscilla.Kapungu@kctcs.edu
Phone: 859-442-1163
Office Location: Boone Campus (CAM Building) Ground Floor B05
Hello, my name is Priscilla Kapungu I am your Library Specialist based at the Boone Campus.
I have 20 plus years of experience working in a special-public library at the Department of State's Harare Embassy as the Deputy director, for the Information Resource Center.
Before joining Gateway College I worked as a Customer Support Associate at Cengage Learning Group for four plus years.
One thing I enjoy in my line of work - Information Management, Program Evaluation, Interlibrary Linkages, Information Resources Literacy, is patrons and colleagues alike who are incredibly friendly and willing and ready to ask questions.
Fun fact about me is, I strongly believe in the the spirit of Ubuntu - namely “I am because we are…”
Hello. My name is Adam Thurman. I work as a leader at the Gateway Information Commons - usually at the Covington TIE campus - and also work broadly with the library to provide information literacy, outreach, and reference services to the classes I am embedded with.
I have worked at Gateway since 2015, receiving my MLIS from Wayne State University in Michigan, after leaving an internship at Xavier University's library. My primary areas of interest were and are how to best catalog, curate, and organize information to make it easy to learn from and use.
As you might expect, I enjoy reading and researching history for fun.
Please note that the best way to contact me is by email. If you need to meet in person, I will schedule an appointment by email. I try to reply to all emails made during the work week within 24 hours.
Given my role extends beyond traditional library services, I would encourage those who are embedded in my classes to contact me for more general questions, as well as research related ones: If I cannot find an answer for you, I can find someone who can!
Email: AThurman0026@kctcs.edu
Phone: 859-442-1122
Office Location: UC - TIE Information Commons desk
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