A student has been assigned to write a position paper on the issue of whether writing classes should be required for all college students. Which of the following sentences is the BEST example of an explicit, appropriately qualified thesis statement on this issue? Question 1 options:

a) In many cases, most students would usually benefit from writing classes, but, sometimes, writing classes might not be needed or beneficial, or students might not understand or respond to the information, so writing classes could sometimes be redundant or not applicable.

b) For most students, writing classes should be required because these classes are valuable for learning about communication, rhetoric, and responsible participation in today's world.

c) All students must take a writing class as part of their college degree.

d) In college writing classes, students learn about communication, rhetoric, and responsible participation in today's world.

What is the BEST reason why position papers include and respond to the positions of others who have engaged with an issue? Question 2 options:

a) because the positions of others provide a clear indication that the topic matters to people

b) because the medium of position papers requires that we include the positions of others who have engaged with an issue

c) because when we take a position on an issue, we are participating in an ongoing conversation that others have been having about that issue

d) because the positions of others are more meaningful than our own position on the issue

When you are writing a position paper, should you include a discussion of viewpoints that differ from the position you are taking? Question 3 options:

a) Yes; including other possible viewpoints in your position paper makes your paper stronger because it shows that you have fully considered the issue and that you understand and respect its complexity.

b) Yes; including other possible viewpoints in your position paper is good because it shows that there are other possible positions on the issue.

c) No; including other possible viewpoints in your position paper is not good because then your readers might choose to believe in one of those opposing viewpoints rather than your position.

d) No; including other possible viewpoints in your position paper is not good because it will alienate readers who agree with your position on the issue.

Where can you find academic writing that takes a position? Question 4 options:

a) in many different fields and disciplines

b) in many different cultures and communities

c) in many different genres and media

d) You can find academic writing that takes a position in all of these places.

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of writing that takes a position? Question 5 options:

a) Writing that takes a position must analyze and evaluate a thing or a topic.

b) Writing that takes a position must be entertaining and engaging.

c) Writing that takes a position must express an explicit position on a topic or issue.

d) Writing that takes a position must be objective, fact based, and informative.