Part 1: Position Paper
You will be writing a position paper. Position papers are used in a wide variety of contexts and for different purposes in academic and non-academic workplaces. Governments, political parties, non-government organisations and the business/corporate sector alike use position papers to communicate their approach to issues, outline and ground discussions, contribute to policy debates on a specific issue and advocate for the positions of various stakeholders/organisations.
In an applied debate context, a position paper presents one side of an argument about a particular issue. A position paper describes a position on an issue and the rationale for that position. It is based on evidence that provides a solid foundation for your argument. Its purpose is to generate support on/for an issue and convince the audience/reader that your position (on the issue) is valid and defensible.
More specifically, the goal is to present a compelling case justifying your position and the merits of the course of action you propose for solving the problem (where appropriate).
Part 2: E Portfolio
You are required to complete the following entry in your ePortfolio:
ePortfolio entry 6: Applied debating – Developing position papers.
Suggested Topics
1. Should governments be focused on ‘eradicating’ sex work, or is sex work a necessary form of labour?
2. Should comprehensive and inclusive sex education be compulsory from kindergarten onward in Australian public schools?
3. Are we living in a post-feminist period in which gender is no longer a major barrier to equity?
4. Is Australia a successful example of multiculturalism in action?
5. Should there be greater censorship of the internet?
6. Are the forms and expressions of identities freer in cyberspace than they are in everyday life?
7. Is the global economy re-configuring the workplace such that employees and employers benefit equally?
8 .Is the fundamental source of conflict in the 21st century primarily cultural?
A Topic of Your Choice
You may write the position paper on a topic of your choice. You are also encouraged to consider writing position papers on a topic closely related to the one that you will present on for Assignment 2. All topics of choice need to be approved by your OLA. Feel free to approach your OLA and discuss your choice of topic.
