This document provides guidance on writing position papers, including how to use linking words, craft a good thesis statement, and identify the components of an effective thesis statement. It emphasizes that a thesis statement should be debatable and focused, laying out an argument others may disagree with. Examples are provided of strong and weak thesis statements on various topics to illustrate what makes a thesis statement effective. The document concludes with an activity asking the reader to write a short personal position paper including a thesis statement and linking words.

1. How to Write Good Position
Papers!!!

2. 1.Linking Words

3. What are linking words?
1. They are words or phrases that link or relate two ideas to one another.
2. We can use them to contrast information, make comparisons, add
information, or give our reasoning for having said something.

4. Linking words that compare
1. Similarly: John likes to play baseball. Similarly, Jenna likes to play
softball.
2. Also: I like baseball. I also like football.
3. Like: My parents are like me. They are short and have curly hair.
4. Compared to: She is tall compared to her friend.

5. Linking words that help you contrast
1. On the contrary: I like to dance. On the contrary, Sarah likes to read
2. One the one hand...on the other hand: On the one hand, I like cooking because I like
food, but on the other hand, I don’t like it because it’s a lot of work.
3. To the contrary: I like to dance. To the contrary, Sarah likes to read.
4. In contrast: In contrast to Philadelphia, Madrid is warmer.
5. However: I like fruit. However, I like vegetables more.
6. But: I like fruit, but I like vegetables more.
7. Still: Women’s rights issues are really important. Still, we must also focus on equal
rights for people of color.
8. While/Whereas: Whereas I like fruit, my brother only likes vegetables.
9. Nevertheless: I don’t approve of all of Hillary’s policies. Nevertheless, I think she is the
best candidate for the job.

7. Linking words that help you provide an example
1. For example: I like many sports. For example, I like baseball and
football.
2. For instance: I like many sports. For instance, I like baseball and
football.
3. Such as: She plays many sports, such as softball and hockey.
4. Including: She plays many instruments, including the guitar.

8. Linking words that show cause and effect
1. Therefore: I grew up by the beach. Therefore, I like the beach.
2. Thus: I grew up by the beach. Thus, I like the beach.
3. As such: I grew up by the beach. As such, I like the beach.
4. Accordingly: I grew up by the beach. Accordingly, I like the beach.

9. Linking words that help you add you to what
you’ve already said
1. Additionally: I like swimming. Additionally, I like running.
2. Moreover: He is a bad president because he is racist. Moreover, he
is sexist.
3. In addition: In addition to liking swimming, he also likes basketball.
4. Also: I like swimming. I also like basketball.
5. Too: He likes swimming and she likes swimming too.
6. As well as: He likes swimming as well as basketball.

10. 2. Good Thesis
Statements

11. So, what is a thesis statement?
A lot of things! That’s why it’s so important.
● It tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
● It lays out an argument that others might disagree with.
● It proposes a new way of understanding a certain topic.
***Important***
Thesis statements are almost always one sentence long and almost always come at
the very end of the introduction.

12. What makes a good thesis statement?
1. The thesis statement must be debatable.
***debatable=something you can argue about
2. The thesis statement must be focused/specific.

13. Question: What should be
done to stop pollution of our
environment?

14. Which thesis statement do you think better answers the
question?
“Pollution is bad for the
environment and therefore
it should be stopped.”
“To stop pollution, we
should ride our bikes more
frequently, recycle every
day, and turn off our lights
when we aren’t home.”

15. Why?

16. 2 1 0
Grammar Contains few or no grammatical
errors and is formatted
according to instructions.
Contains some grammar and
punctuation errors, however they
do not hinder the understanding
of the paper.
The grammar errors hinder
understanding of the
paragraph’s ideas.
Structure Organized in a logical manner.
Each sentence leads into the
next. Contains all information
necessary.
Most of the key elements of the
paragraph are present but are
out of order.
Missing vital information for the
paragraph and sentences seem
disconnected from each other.
Topic Introduction The topic and purpose of the
paper is clearly defined.
Appropriately addresses the
audience (the UNICEF
committee).
The topic and the purpose of the
paper are evident but language
is unfocused or confused. May
not address the audience
correctly.
The topic and purpose of the
paper are unclear from the
introduction paragraph.
Background Sufficient background
information is given to introduce
the significance of the UNICEF
topic.
Some background information
about the topic exists but its
significance is hard to determine.
Missing explanation about topic
background and significance.
Thesis Statement Clearly and concisely states the
paper’s purpose in a single
sentence, which is thought
provoking.
The purpose of the paper is
stated but is not clear or direct.
The purpose of the paper cannot
easily be determined.
Total /10
Position Paper Introduction Rubric

17. Which of these is a thesis statement?
●Discuss a person you admire and why you chose this person.
●A: One person I admire is Babe Ruth, who played baseball from 1914 until 1935.
●B: One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.

18. B!
●B: One person I admire is Babe Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time.
●A is a factual statement (it cannot be argued with) but B has an opinion that can be
argued with

19. Which of these is a/the better thesis statement?
●Discuss the social, political and economic effects of World War II on the United
States.
●A: World War II was a costly war that had a major impact on the economy of the
United States.
●B: World War II not only affected the economy of the United States, but also
altered the role of the American government and the American people forever.

20. B!
●B: World War II not only affected the economy of the United States, but also altered
the role of the American government and the American people forever.
●Addresses all of the effects stated in the prompt (A only addresses the “economic”
effects named in the prompt)

21. Which of these is a/the better thesis statement?
Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization in one South Asian
country.
●A: Globalization in India has offered solutions to poverty for some and created
more severe poverty for others.
●B: In India, globalization has meant new jobs for India’s emerging middle class.

22. A!
●A: Globalization in India has offered solutions to poverty for some and created more
severe poverty for others.
●There is an opinion and the statement addresses positive and negative aspects of
globalization.

23. Personal Position Paper Activity
Write a page-long paper about yourself, structured like a Global Classrooms
Position paper. Make sure you include a proper thesis and at least 5 linking words.
Underline your thesis and circle the linking words you use. Write your essay on a
clean, separate sheet of paper you can hand in.
This assignment is due Monday/Tuesday Nov. 5/6

24. Works Cited
●Bakely, Leah. “Copy of Position Papers, Linking Words, and Thesis Statements.”
Global Classrooms & UN Teaching Materials. Madrid Fulbright Mentors, 10 November
2016. Web. 29 October 2017.
●Pfrecords. “Writing Thesis Statements: an Interactive Activity to Develop Effective
Writing Skills.” SlideShare. LinkedIn Learning, 26 September 2013. Web. 29 October
2017.