Panel Paper Assignment

Comm 235
Overview: As a result of the research and preparation done for your panel discussion, each
student will write a 2-3 page paper focusing on a particular aspect of a controversial issue that
makes an argument similar to the one presented in their panel discussion. Your main argument,
or thesis, should be clearly stated in an introduction paragraph and should be a more specific
version of the resolution given as your panel topic. For example, if you are arguing in favor of
increasing our military presence in Afghanistan, your thesis might be, “The USFG should
increase its military presence in Afghanistan by sending two-thousand military doctors in order
to aid victims of Taliban attacks and U.S. drone usage.” If you are affirmative, the two best ways
to make a resolution specific enough to be a good thesis statement is to include a specific
means of implementing the resolution and a main reason why doing so is a good idea. If you are
arguing against the proposed topic for the panel discussion, you should similarly write your
thesis so as to include a reason to reject whatever is being proposed in the topic. Your body
paragraphs should offer sub-arguments that support your overarching thesis, and your
conclusion should summarize the argument you’ve made and illustrate the ramifications of
your proposal. For example, if you are arguing that we should send military doctors to
Afghanistan, your body paragraphs might explain why military doctors would be the best to
send (perhaps NGOs don’t have enough resources or access to dangerous places in
Afghanistan), and why drone and Taliban attacks are serious issues that are not being
addressed currently. Your conclusion might sum up those arguments and add implications by
saying, “not only will sending military doctors alleviate violence, it would also help change the
direction of our military’s use to peaceful goals, bolster the U.S.’s image abroad. Readers should
lobby their representatives for change in our policy toward Afghanistan.”
Guidelines:
1. Length: 2-3 pages, 12-point font, double-spaced.
2. Sources: At least five credible sources. You do not need to be limited to the NY Times for
this, but your decisions around the credibility of your sources will be taken into account
when grading. Credible sources include, but are not limited to, news articles from
reputable publications, peer-reviewed academic journal articles, quotations or opinion
from experts.
3. Organization: you should have a clearly-stated thesis, and the argumentative purpose of
each body paragraph should be clear.
4. Citations: Chicago footnote or endnote style.
5. Due: before class on the day of your panel discussion.