Please read the following instructions thoroughly before you start your assignment:
Complete a 3-4 page paper that addresses one of the following questions (ONLY PICK ONE, DON’T ADDRESS BOTH):
• Option 1:
Is checkbook journalism (see p. 320 of your assigned textbook) an acceptable practice? How will the continuation of this practice impact the future of reporting? Could/should this practice be regulated or eliminated?
• Option 2:
Globalization is becoming easier as mobile/smart phones and devices, the Internet, and other technologies are making the world much smaller. However, your textbook author also postulates that these technological advances can be seen as a threat in some countries. How do these concepts coexist, or are they mutually exclusive? Are technological global advancements something that should be feared?
You may already have an opinion on your topic and an idea about which side of the argument you want to take, but you need to ensure that your position is well supported. Therefore, you will need to incorporate research, including 4-6 outside sources (peer-reviewed sources are best). Please be sure that you are including your scholarly evidence inside of your paper, including proper in-text citations that match the sources you supply in your reference page.
Papers should be 3-4 pages of content, in addition to a properly formatted APA style cover page, and a properly formatted APA style reference page. Papers should be double spaced, in Times New Roman font, 12pt size with proper in-text APA formatted in-text citations. No abstract is needed and abstracts do not count toward page requirements.
Please utilize the following resource when you are constructing your paper:
https://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm
Required Textbook: Biagi, S. (2017). Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media (12th Edition). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 978-1-305-58098-5.
Grading Rubric:
Scope and Critical Thinking
Takes a strong, well defined position; uses at least three appropriate reasons with at least two supporting details for each reason. Counter arguments effectively addressed. Critical thinking skills are evident throughout each argument.
20points
Clear position taken and defined; some reasons and some details present, but not fully developed. Counter arguments addressed.
15points
Position not clearly stated; development is brief; unrelated, unsupported general statements, reasons, and details; minimal facts used. Counter arguments not acknowledged.
10points
No clear position taken; reasons undeveloped; no supporting facts used
5points
No points
0points
Focus or Thesis Statement
Developed a strong thesis and included it in the appropriate place in the paper. The thesis was the focal point of the paper and supported throughout the paper.
20points
Developed a strong thesis and included it in the appropriate place in the paper. Most of the information supported the thesis statement.
15points
Developed a thesis statement and included it in the paper. Some of the information supported the thesis statement.
10points
Thesis Statement needs to be developed further or is not included in the paper. The thesis is not fully supported in the paper.
5points
No points.
0points
Support for Position
All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author’s position.
20points
Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author’s position.
15points
At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author’s position.
10points
Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained.
5points
No points.
0points
Depth and Variety of Evidence
Includes 4-6 pieces of evidence including peer-reviewed sources, that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader’s concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counterargument.
20points
Includes 4 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement. The writer anticipates the reader’s concerns, biases or arguments and has provided at least 1 counterargument.
15points
Includes 3 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences) that support the position statement.
10points
Includes 1 or fewer pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real-life experiences).
5points
No points.
0points
Writing and Mechanics
Piece is clearly written with no grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization errors
10points
Author paid attention to writing conventions; Minor errors do not distract from meaning.
8points
Errors may be present and may slightly take away from the clarity; yet, the writers meaning can be determined.
6points
Errors make it difficult to read and/or understand the paper.
2points
No points.
0points
APA Formatting
