The Immigration Debate

The Immigration Debate Position Paper

One of the hot topics in America today is immigration, both legal and illegal. Many people argue that immigration is destroying the United States, while other people argue immigration is necessary to keep our country great.

Immigration is a topic that is woven throughout the history of the United States, from the Englishmen who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in the early seventeenth century to the myriad of Latin America, African, and Asian immigrants who have journeyed to this country during the early twenty-first century.

Americans have a long history of both loving and hating immigration. On the one hand, the U.S. has embraced being a "melting pot," a nation that includes people from many different places but who live together in one place. On the other hand, Americans throughout the country's history have found an influx of foreign people to be deeply disturbing and something to be feared.

From the stories and essays we will read, such as “Geraldo No Last Name,” “In First Person: Living the American Dream,” Across A Hundred Mountains, and journals from explorers, Puritans, and other immigrants throughout our nation’s history, we will see examples of how and why people come to America.

From your reading of these stories and any other articles that you will find, you will write a well-researched essay stating your position on the illegal immigration issue. To have a considered opinion, you will need to research BOTH sides of the issue, looking at both the positive and negative social and economic effects of illegal immigration on communities and the United States as a whole.

Possible Thesis Statements:  Illegal immigration threatens life in the United States.  The United States should make it easier for illegal immigrants to legally live and work here.

Web sources to get you started: US Citizenship and Immigration Services FAIR: Federation for American Immigration Reform Public Agenda Issues Guide: Immigration Cato Institute (search for Immigration) Illegal Immigration (Center for Immigration Studies) Immigration at ProCon.org

You are encouraged to look at other sources, but keep in mind that they may be BIASED! Make sure the sources are CREDIBLE—i.e. the product of real studies, facts, and published authors, and not just angry ranters! ICONN articles and news publications (Time Magazine, CNN, MSNBC, etc.) are a good place to start.

Task Due Date Points Pro/Con Graphic Organizer ______25 (Annotated) Bibliography ______25 Essay Graphic Organizer ______25 Typed Rough Draft ______25 Typed Final Draft ______100 A position paper that is Exceptional presents a clear and convincing argument for resolving a controversial issue and anticipates opposing views. A strong personal connection, voice and/or powerful personal story make the reader care. The analysis of the problem and solution offered are insightful and the reader is persuaded to act as the essay suggests. The introduction and title grab the reader’s attention, the vivid, accurate and persuasive supporting details maintain the reader’s attention and the conclusion makes the reader think or act. Extensive Cited references show thorough research and vividly illustrate or seal the argument. The overall organization, paragraphs, sentences, word choice and mechanics enhance the meaning. Illegal Immigration Pros + Cons - Reason +Facts: Reason +Facts:

Source(s): Source(s):

Reason +Facts: Reason +Facts:

Source(s): Source(s): Introduction Attention Grabber: Thesis Statement: Attention Grabber Thesis/ Opinion Statement

Reason #1 Reason #2 Reason #3

Evidence: Evidence: Evidence:

Opinion Statement: Call to Action: Conclusion Restatement of Thesis/ Opinion Summary of Reasons Call to Action Summary of Reasons: Instructional Rubric for a Persuasive Essay* Gradations of Quality Criteria 4 3 2 1 POSITION I make a claim and I make a claim but My claim is buried, I don’t say what my explain why it is don’t explain why it confused, and/or argument or claim is. controversial. is controversial. unclear. CONTENT Reasons in I give clear and I give reasons in I give 1 or 2 weak I don't give reasons in support of accurate reasons in support of my claim, reasons that don't support of my claim. the claim support of my claim. but I overlook support my claim important reasons. and/or irrelevant or confusing reasons. Reasons I discuss the reasons I discuss the reasons I say that there are I don't acknowledge against the against my claim and against my claim but reasons against the or discuss the reasons claim explain why it is neglect some or don't claim, but I don't against my claim. valid anyway. explain why the discuss them. claim still stands. Researched The facts I provide The facts I provide The facts I provide I don’t cite many evidence are well-researched are from research and are from questionable facts about the issue. and cited. cited. research—but cited. ORGANIZATION My writing has a My writing has a My organization is My writing is aimless compelling opening, beginning, a middle, rough but workable. I and disorganized. an informative and an end. may sometimes get middle, and a off topic. satisfying conclusion. STYLE Voice and It sounds like I care My tone is OK, but My writing is bland My writing is too tone about my argument. I my paper could have or pretentious. There formal or informal. It tell how I think and been written by is either no hint of a sounds like I don't feel about it. anyone. I need to tell real person in it, or it like the topic of the how I think and feel. sounds like I'm essay. faking it.

Word choice The words that I use I make some fine and The words that I use I use the same words are striking but some routine word are often dull or over and over. Some natural, varied, and choices. uninspired or sound words may be vivid. like I'm trying too confusing. hard to impress. Sentence My sentences are I have well- My sentences are Many run-on fluency clear, complete, and constructed often awkward, run- sentences and of varying lengths. sentences. My essay ons, or fragments. sentence fragments marches along but make my essay hard doesn't dance. to read. CONVENTIONS I use correct I have a few errors to I have enough errors Numerous errors grammar, fix, but I generally in my essay to make my paper hard punctuation, and use correct distract a reader. to read. spelling. conventions.

Adapted from* Goodrich Andrade, H. (2000). Using Rubrics to Promote Thinking and Learning. Educational Leadership, 57(5), 13-18.