The document provides a 9-step process for writing a paper that finds common ground between two opposing viewpoints on a topic. The steps include choosing a topic, evaluating the credibility of sources, building an annotation chart to outline the paper, summarizing the positions of each author, analyzing and interpreting the authors' arguments, checking for proper formatting and citations, concluding by summarizing each position and how they differ, and reflecting on whether the analysis was fair and considered multiple perspectives.

1. Finding Common
Ground
#whatitiswhatitis

2. Step 1
•Choosing Your Topic
(Points of View database)
-Read Overview
-Establish a point and
counterpoint

3. Step 2
•Determine whether your
authors are credible sources:
• check for background info within the
article
• search for a bio within the database
• Google it!

4. Step 3
•Build an annotations chart
-See p. 214 sample by Betsy Samson to help
distinguish between your point and counterpoint
-Use the chart on p. 200 to build your own
-The chart will help to outline your paper structure
-Yes, you have to

5. Step 4
•Summarize
• Introduce each author and their
credentials
• Introduce each position: point and
counterpoint and other
counterpoints if applicable

6. Step 5
• Methodology
• analyze: consider what the authors are saying and try to phrase
in your own words
• interpret: determine how the authors’ thoughts affect the
topic
• credibility: reinforce your authors’ authority by using
appositives to identify them
• support: use direct quotes to strengthen your interpretations

7. Checks and
Balances
#checkyourselfbeforeyouwreckyourself

8. Step 6
•Check for:
• Transitions that help to signal similarities between your
authors’ points
• overuse or reliance on clichés or colloquial language
• use of questions to move from point to point

9. Step 7
•Check for:
• Page length 3 full pages, up to 5 pages
• 3 sources required; 2 must be from Points of view
• MLA in-text citations
• MLA works cited page
• MLA header
• MLA heading
• appositives
• em dash

10. Conclusion
#yourfinishwithaflourish

11. Step 8
•Conclude by
• summing up main points by
each author
• reiterate how the authors’
points differ and concede

12. Step 9: Reflect
•Questions to ask myself:
• Am I generalizing without sufficient data?
• Am I stereotyping? Are my analogies, (similarities
between 2 things), based on things that are truly
similar?

13. Questions to Ask Myself, cont:
• Am I sure that my causes and
effects are really causes and
effects, and are not related to
something else instead?
• #randomthoughtsdonotbelong

14. Questions to Ask Myself, cont.:
• Do I have enough source material to give a fair
understanding of the issue being discussed? Not
much is really either one thing or another. There are
usually several sides to one argument.
• Am I attempting to reveal my personal thoughts
about the subject?

15. Questions to ask Myself, cont.:
• Are my conclusions fair interpretations of my
authors’ arguments?
• Am I being sure to present authors’ opinions that I
do not agree with as viable and intelligent