Arab (Palestinian) - Israeli Conflict

Position Paper Project

Mr. Bayer Cultural Studies

Overview
This paper will require you to consider one of several central questions related to the land
conflict in modern day Israel. You will be required to find and read a significant amount of print
and online sources to arrive at an answer to one of the following central questions:
1) Given its repeated violations of human rights and international laws, should the
international community condemn Israel to be a criminal state?
2) Should Palestinians be afforded statehood?
3) Should Israel be required to withdraw its settlements from the West Bank? OR Does
Israel have a right to settlements in the West Bank?
4) Evaluate (provide a value judgment on) a narrow set of strategies and policies of
Palestinian groups such as the PLO, Fatah or Hamas in pursuit of Palestinian statehood.
5) Evaluate the legacy of a controversial figure in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict such as
Yasser Arafat or Benjamin Netanyahu. EX: Have the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu
helped or hindered the peace process?
6) Evaluate (provide a value judgment on) the strategies and policies of the Israeli
government regarding
a. its defense
b. settlements in West Bank
c. its policies toward Palestinians in Gaza (ex: blockade, IDF actions *in the Gaza
War of 2008-09*, etc.)
d. the Palestinian refugee crisis
This position paper must be a MINIMUM of five (5) full pages not including the bibliography.
It must be typed in 11-point Times New Roman font. It must have no more than 1 margins
and it must be double-spaced. The position paper will consist of 3 primary sections plus a
bibliography page:
- Introduction: Introduce the topic and provide a brief overview and establish relevance.
& Thesis:
1) Must answer the question with a clear position
(last sentence 2) Must have three organizational categories and acknowledge a
counterargument (if you
of 1st paragraph)
have one)
3) Organizational categories should be conclusions based on facts/reason
(not facts).
- Main Body:

If your argument lends itself to a counterargument, you will need to

develop a refutation to a counterargument in your first body paragraph.
This may be a stand-alone paragraph or it may be a separate paragraph
The three organizational categories in your thesis must be reflected in the
topic sentence of each of your body paragraphs. These arguments must
be supported by credible research.

- Conclusion:

Reiterate (dont restate) your papers claims. Talk about the impact of your
claims on:
the peace and stability of the region
Israel as a secure, democratic and internationally respected state
the aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian Peoples
1

- Bibliography:

Six sources where at least three must be non-websites (database articles

are OK!).
Use proper MLA format. (See handout, LRC homepage or MLA Style Guide).
*****In-paper citations are required for credit*****

Three Due Dates

1. Topic Statement:
Due Date - - Wednesday (4/14) **TO BE SUBMITTED ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM**
Paragraph: explain what research you have done thus far (where you have looked
and what you have found) and explain where you would like to take your
research. Be as specific as possible about the information you have
uncovered and what controversial BIG QUESTION (thesis-type question) you will
be trying to answer.
2. Preliminary Outline and Notes:
Due Date - - Thursday, 4/29 **TO BE SUBMITTED ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM**
In A Google From linked in an announcement in Google Classroom, you will cut
and paste
1 A PRELIMINARY OUTLINE that includes:
The BIG QUESTION you intend to answer
The various ORGANIZATIONAL CATEGORIES of your paper thus
far (The ways you intend to answer the BIG QUESTION) These will
take the form of topic sentences and you will need at least 2 at this
stage.
Several clear bullet points (~3-5) of SUPPORTING RESEARCH for
each of the ORGANIZATIONAL CATEGORIES
2 36+ detailed INDIVIDUAL NOTATIONS in a Google Spreadsheet
from four (4) different sources
3. Final Paper & Bibliography:
Due Date - - Wednesday, 5/6 (last day for maximum of 80% credit is 5/9)
**TO BE SUBMITTED ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM**
See attached requirements for your position paper and bibliography. Remember,
your thesis and three supporting points should be identified clearly in the
introduction. The paper should reflect extensive research and supporting
arguments for your position throughout the analysis. In-paper citations must be
used throughout the paper. See proper MLA style with embedded citations in
handouts provided. Use the outline format on page 5. Your works-cited page
should be the last page of your paper (it does not count toward the 5page minimum length.)

Note: Failure to document with an MLA-style works-cited page

and in-paper citations will result in a failed grade (zero points).
Embedded Citations Examples:

One reason for the South African governments opposition is that it does not want to upset
an economic ally, the United States. (Becker)
Because of the governments policies, ARV drug distribution has been relatively slow, with
only around 33 percent of people in need receiving treatment at the end of 2006. (HIV)
And then the full citations on the MLA bibliography page look like this:

Becker, Phillip. The Drug Companies. BBC News. 2008. BBC. 19 May 2008
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/africa/2000/aids_in_africa/drugs.stm>

First
signific
ant
word of
full
citation
.
(typical
ly the
author
s
last
name)
*If
there is
no
author
name,

HIV and AIDS in South Africa. Avert. 2008. Avert. 19 May 2008
<http://www.avert.org/aidssouthafrica.htm>

Mr. Bayer Cultural Studies Position Paper

Big 6 Research Planner

Develop an
Interest
1. Define
1.1 What is my question? What other questions should I be asking?
1.2 What is my timeframe?
Create Proof
1.3 How many sources are required?
Questions
2. Brainstorm
&
2.1 Where can I find information?
Hypothesize
2.2 What are the best sources?

about Answers

3. Find
3.1 Where can I find the sources?
3.2 What are some keywords?
3.3 How can I find information within the sources?
4. Use
4.1 Read, hear, view
4.2 Which information answers my questions?
4.3 How will I take notes? (Eliminate plagiarism here!)
5. Produce
5.1 How can I organize information from multiple sources?
5.2 How can I blend quotations with my ideas?

Plan How You

Will Research

Research
Organize Information &
Develop Structure
Details/Quotes/Ideas
Body Substance
Supporting
Points
Topic
Sentences
Thesis

6. Evaluate
6.1 How did I do on the product?
6.2 How did I do with the process?

Proofread, Get
Advice, SelfEvaluate, Learn
and Apply to
Doing Your Next
Paper

Whats the difference between a

Position Paper and Research Paper?
Research Paper Informative
Position Paper Informative and Persuasive
(Informed Argument)

BHS LRC and LRC staff your best

resources!!!
&
The Batavia Public Library

Related Portals (in Global Issues in Context)

Arab-Israeli Conflict
Gaza Strip
Holocaust: Lingering Issues
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinian Statehood
West Bank
Hamas: Role and Influence
Refugees
Counterterrorism

(From the LRC Page)

Also:

Gale Virtual Reference Library

Human Rights Watch (www.hrw.org)
History in Dispute
In-Class Sources (readings/videos)

Position Paper Outline Template

I.

II.

Introductory/Thesis Paragraph *1 paragraph*

A. Hook= Attention getting device and an explanation of relevance
B. Lay out counterargument (optional): While there are those who would argue
that
C. Thesis: However Clearly state your research-driven opinion. statement of
position & preview of 3 organizational/argument points *Last sentence of the
first paragraph*
Background Paragraph (optional) - Set the stage for the reader on the topic, time
period, groups involved, key concepts and issues of significance. In other words, make
sure that important background points are made before you jump into your argument.
Extensive levels of research should be evident throughout this section.
Body Paragraphs
A. Body Paragraph
1. Topic sentence-Argument (2nd strongest argument)
2. Provide Evidence (Support/Elaboration)
3. Tie-back to thesis
4. Transition sentence
OR
Counterargument Refutation Paragraph(s) *1 or 2 paragraphs*
1. Counterargument/Refutation (Strongest Thesis Argument) Topic Sentence:
articulates counterargument to your position, e.g., while there are those who
will say and a short refutation overview (your strongest, most wellsupported thesis argument).
a. Explanation of counterargument
b. Presentation of evidence one might use to support the counterargument
2. Strongest Thesis Argument/Refutation - Transition back to your perspective
Provide Evidence (Support/Elaboration)
B. Body Paragraph
1. Topic sentence-Argument (2nd strongest argument)
2. Provide Evidence (Support/Elaboration)
3. Tie-back to thesis
4. Transition sentence
C. Body Paragraph
1. Topic sentence-Argument (3rd strongest argument)
2. Provide Evidence (Support/Elaboration)
3. Tie-back to thesis

III.

Conclusion
A. Reiterate (dont restate) your papers claims vs. the counter-argument.
B. Talk about the impact of your claims on:
1. the peace and stability of the region
2. Israel as a secure, democratic and internationally respected state
3. the aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian Peoples

Mr. Bayer Big 6 Research Planner Worksheet

(to be filled out by students)
1. Define
1.1 What is my question? What topic questions should I be asking?

1.2 PLAN PLAN PLAN!!! What is my timeframe? Due Date(s):

Sunday
4/3

Monday
4/4

Tuesday
4/5

Wednesday
4/6

Thursday
4/7

Friday
4/8

Saturday
4/9

4/15

4/16

4/22

4/23

4/29

4/30

Paper Assigned

4/10

4/11

4/12

4/13

4/14
Topic
Paragraph Due

4/17

4/18

4/19

4/20

4/21

4/24

4/25

4/26

4/27

4/28

Preliminary
Outline/Notes Due

5/1

5/2

5/3

5/4

5/5

5/6

5/7

Final
Paper Due!!!

4/27

4/28

4/29

4/30

5/1

20% Grade
Reduction

1.3 How many sources are required?

2. Brainstorm
2.1 Where can I find information? (books, publications, journals, internet databases, websites, personal interviews, etc.)
2.2 What are the best sources?

3. Find
3.2 What are some keywords and how might I find other keywords? (Consider Boolean language strategy)
What can I read through to find key words on my topic?

3.3 How can I find information within the sources? (Indexes, tables of contents, edit-find searches, key headings, etc.)

4. Use
4.1 Read, hear, view
4.2 Which information answers my questions? --- TO BE DECIDED ON YOUR NOTE CARDS/POWERPOINT SLIDES
4.3 How will I take notes? Which note taking strategy will I use? (Eliminate plagiarism here!)
Spreadsheet Format

5. Produce
5.1 How can I organize information from multiple sources? What process will I use?
Consistent ideas/themes from research leading to a thesis w/ sub-points:

SUB-POINTS Arguments (Claims) and Counterargument/Refutation (if applicable)

Lay out your topic sentences (based on themes from your research) that might support your thesis:

THESIS:
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

5.2 How can I blend quotations with my ideas? (IQE)

6. Evaluate
6.1 What did the teacher say about the product?

Proofread, Get
Advice, SelfEvaluate,
Learn and
Apply to Doing
Your Next
Paper

6.2 How did I do with the process?

Did I use my time effectively?
& How can I do better next time?

Did I use other resources effectively (Internet, library, personal contacts, teachers, librarian, computer lab)
& How can I do better next time?

Did I plan my research effectively? (planned vs. actual time, time spent spinning wheels vs. reading/learning/
analyzing, Did I look at effective sources right away or did it take me awhile?)
& How can I do better next time?

Did my note taking/note organizing strategy work effectively?

& How can I do better next time?

What else could be considered strengths and improvement areas of this project and how might I work on my
weaknesses in the future?
Positives:

Areas to Improve: