By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assignment criteria:
For your final paper, you will select a controversial topic in psychology on which to take a position. Choose from the following topics:
After exploring scholarly research on both sides of the issue, write a 5–7 page, double-spaced paper (not including title page, abstract, and references) that presents:
Your paper should reference a minimum of five scholarly sources, cited and referenced in APA format.
Your assembled paper should consist of:
View the Joel Taylor Sample Final Paper linked in Resources to see how your paper should be organized. You are also encouraged to use the APA Paper Template, also linked the Resources.
Refer to the Controversies in Psychology Position Paper Scoring Guide to understand how this assignment will be graded and ensure you meet the grading criteria.
Note: Your instructor may also use the Writing Feedback Tool to provide feedback on your writing. In the tool, click the linked resources for helpful writing information.
To achieve a successful experience and outcome, you are expected to meet the following requirements:
CRITERIA | NON-PERFORMANCE | BASIC | PROFICIENT | DISTINGUISHED |
---|---|---|---|---|
Describe the position taken in an author’s thesis statement. 12% |
Does not describe the position taken in an author’s thesis statement. | Describes inaccurately or incompletely the position taken in an author’s thesis statement. | Describes the position taken in an author’s thesis statement. | Summarizes the position taken in an author’s thesis statement. |
Articulate evidence-supported arguments that directly support the thesis. 12% |
Does not articulate evidence-supported arguments that directly support the thesis. | Articulates vague counterarguments, not supported by evidence that may support the thesis. | Articulates evidence-supported arguments that directly support the thesis. | Evaluates evidence-supported arguments that directly support the thesis. |
Articulate evidence-supported counterarguments that directly question the thesis. 12% |
Does not articulate evidence-supported counterarguments that directly question the thesis. | Lists, but does not articulate evidence-based counterarguments that vaguely question the thesis or are not supported by evidence. | Articulates evidence-supported counterarguments that directly question the thesis. | Evaluates evidence-supported counterarguments that directly question the thesis. |
Articulate evidence-supported arguments to rebut the counterarguments. 11% |
Does not articulate evidence-supported arguments to rebut the counterarguments. | Articulates evidence-supported arguments to rebut the counterarguments that vaguely address the counterarguments or are not supported by evidence. | Articulates evidence-supported arguments to rebut the counterarguments. | Evaluates evidence-supported arguments to rebut the counter-arguments. |
Articulate scholarly evidence appropriate to the argument it supports. 11% |
Does not articulate scholarly evidence appropriate to the argument it supports. | Articulates evidence that is not scholarly or appropriate to the argument it supports. | Articulates scholarly evidence appropriate to the argument it supports. | Evaluates scholarly evidence appropriate to the argument it supports. |
Draw implications, including ethical implications, from the conclusions. 11% |
Does not draw implications, including ethical implications, from the conclusions. | Draws implications from the conclusions that are vague or off-target. | Draws implications, including ethical implications, from the conclusions. | Explains implications, including ethical implications, from the conclusions. |
Articulate a well-developed conclusion that logically flows from the arguments presented. 11% |
Does not articulate a well-developed conclusion that logically flows from the arguments presented. | Develops an incomplete and tangentially-related conclusion that may not logically flow from the arguments presented. | Articulates a well-developed conclusion that logically flows from the arguments presented. | Articulates a well-developed conclusion that logically flows from the arguments presented and evaluates the conclusion. |
Write in a manner that is scholarly in tone, easy to follow, and free from grammatical and spelling errors. 10% |
Does not write in a manner that is scholarly in tone, easy to follow, and free from grammatical and spelling errors. | Writes in a manner that may be scholarly, but is sometimes unclear, difficult to follow, and has grammatical and spelling errors. | Writes in a manner that is scholarly in tone, easy to follow, and free from grammatical and spelling errors. | Writing is exemplary: scholarly, clear, transitions well between arguments, incorporates evidence seamlessly, and is free of grammatical and spelling errors. |
Follow APA guidelines for in-text citations and reference lists. 10% |
Does not follow APA guidelines for in-text citations and reference lists. | Inconsistently or inaccurately follows APA guidelines for in-text citations and reference lists. | Follows APA guidelines for in-text citations and reference lists. | Follows APA guidelines for in-text citations and reference lists, and paper is free of spelling and grammar errors.psy |
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