Position Statement Activity Start Assignment In Week 1, you were asked to look at the final argument presentation guidelines, which included a timeline. An excellent place to begin this week is with

Final Argument Presentation: Due in Week 9

Over the term, you will develop an argument to present as a video. The video will be 5 to 7 minutes and will present your position on a topic you select in a convincing, compelling, and interesting way. 

Here are the steps you will follow: 

1. Select a topic—In the first 4 weeks

2. Develop your position statement and brainstorm your argument—Week 5  

3. Select sources to support your argument and understand the divergent or opposing views --Week 6 

4. Outline your argument—Week 7 

5. Understand the audience for your argument—Week 8 

6. Produce the final version --Week 9 

You will upload your argument as a video. See the Week 9 Lecture to see how to do that. 

Requirements for the presentation include: 

• 5-7 minutes of presentation 

• Audio; we must be able to hear you! 

• A sense of organization  

  • A hook to draw your listeners into your presentation 

  • Use either the Classical or the Rogerian form 

  • Documentation of your sources either verbally or visually 

• Demonstrate a sense of persuasion. This is not an informative presentation. You must ask the audience to agree with your perspective on your issue.  

• Make sure to demonstrate your ethos as well as logos and ethos. 

• A minimum of three references to support your position or explanation of the topic.  Be sure to provide source introductions for these references (such as "According to..."). 

FINAL PROJECT: Pick a topic

Your final project, which is due in week 9, will be a video presentation of your position on a topic. That presentation will be in the form of a formal argument, whether written or oral.  

We will discuss that form later and you will be able to map your argument. In fact, you will be guided through the whole process. 

1. First you will need to select a topic.  

2. Then you will write a position statement on your topic. 

3. Then you will need to find reliable resources that can support your position. 

4. You will also need to find at least one reliable resource that opposes your position. 

5. Then you will map your argument to one of two argumentative forms. 

6. Finally, you will create a video presentation of that argument, which will include visual elements. The most common form will be a PowerPoint presentation that you narrate. 

Again, you will be guided through this process. However, you will want to begin thinking about a topic.  

What makes a good topic? A good topic should be meaningful to you personally or professionally. It should be important to other people as well. 

For instance, you might choose a topic like “home schooling.” Is that an important topic? If someone is considering home schooling, understanding its effectiveness and some of the challenges would be important.  

Obviously, you could take a position for or against. Whichever you choose, you know that some people will be on the other side. 

Whatever topic you choose is fine. Just make sure that it is important to you and to others. And be ready to read reliable sources to support not only your position but those who do not agree with you