Position Paper Portfolio

After reading the assigned material, you need to arrive to seminars with a position on material in mind. In French called a précis, in German a Referat, the position paper is an academic tradition whereby seminar participants share their thoughts in writing (ca. 1-2 pages/250-400 words not incl. the Works Cited).

Another way to think about a position paper is as a provocation: it should provoke readers to new ways about thinking about a complex issue. Very good, great, or excellent position papers might point towards the reader’s critique-in-process, or a mature critical perspective on both primary and critical text, opening the way for the seminar to discuss and debate themes that may call other scholars' perspectives into question. Fine or good position papers might begin to closely analyze details of a passage in the primary text while acknowledging points of the scholarly debate surrounding the primary text; it's probably a bit too general.   Okay or fine position papers might summarize the some critical points of a scholarly debate and connect these to the reader’s personal thoughts on the primary text, without taking an independent position in a scholarly debate; such papers are too general. Poor position papers are likely not long enough.

You should use position papers as opportunities to hone your own critical perspective, as well as your academic writing persona. The ability to say something intelligent about texts in a short amount of time is a skill that English graduate students are expected to demonstrate in several different forums: in seminars, in theses defenses, in oral presentations at conferences, and ultimately, in front of the classroom as professors. If you are struggling for an approach to take for your paper, consider beginning with a critical question; closely analyzing a specific passage in detail (examining issues such as subtext, gesture, language, symbolism, etc.); researching additional theater reviews and writing an anatomy of a specific performance that leads to a new interpretation of the text (by examining the potential for different interpretations that performance engenders); and/or arguing against a critical author's assumptions.

Nota Bene: All primary and secondary sources should be cited according to MLA. Sometimes we will be reading more than one critical text. Please choose your own focus: you do not have to write about every single text we read, but should form a critical perspective that definitely shows understanding of at least one of the secondary readings that might apply to one or more primary texts. Every seminar participant will write a position paper on assigned days and submit it to the instructor (hard copy, typed, stapled, 12 pt. font in Times New Roman, with 1" margins). In order to make these works in progress pedagogically effective for all seminar participants, please post your weekly writings on Blackboard/Discussion Board in addition to handing in a hard copy to the instructor.

Once a semester every student will present his or her position paper to the class. On these occasions, students should provide enough copies of the position paper for the entire class and the instructor, and should come prepared to read the paper aloud and to contribute in a significant way to the class discussion. Or we could agree to view the presenter's paper onscreen with the help of a data projector, if we happen to be in a classroom that facilitates this.

Evaluation: I will read your position papers (hard copy only), comment on them, and provide check, check plus, or check minuses as pre-evaluative criteria. At the end of the semester, a portfolio of your position papers will be evaluated for a letter grade (see below). The presentation of your position paper is not graded, but you must do it in order to receive a satisfactory Participation grade. Owing to scheduling difficulties, I am afraid I am NOT able to read late position papers, although you may include them as part of your top 5 papers in the Final Position Paper Portfolio. I will NOT accept emailed Position Papers. If you cannot attend class, I suggest you ask a fellow participant to bring your hard copy to class. If you are unable to turn in your Position Paper on time, I suggest you ask a fellow student to read and evaluate the work-in-progress, or come and discuss it with me in office hours.
The Position Paper Portfolio will include a critical introduction, your TOP 5 Position Papers, the original copies of the position papers with my comments on them (behind each revised copy), and at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills. If you wish to submit all 6 assigned analyses, you may; I average the top 5 scores. If you are not revising your original position paper, please just hand in the original with my comments on it (do not reprint another copy).

The cover letter should self-evaluate your own position papers and address the following questions: How do these position papers show the independence of your critical thinking? How would you describe your (evolving) academic writing persona? What have you learned about reading, researching, and the field of English? In what ways have these writing exercises prepared you to become a better student as well as to become a better researcher? How have these writing exercises aided your thinking this semester? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your position papers? Which is your best position paper, and why? What grade would you give yourself for this assignment?

Immediately following the cover letter, place a well-edited revision of one of your position papers that highlights how well you can transform your writing from rough to final copy. Even though this is the only required revision, I encourage you to revise all papers carefully. Please include all originals with my comments on them. You should also include any position papers that you’re handing in late--but only the five you are submitting for a grade (I will only evaluate the first five papers). Here’s a final list of everything you should include: 1) Cover letter; 2) Edited Revision; 3) Original Position Papers; 4) Any late material. Please simply staple everything together, or use a binder clip. No cover pages or folders, please.