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:

 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):
Reason +Facts:
Reason +Facts:
Source(s):
Source(s):
Reason +Facts:
Reason +Facts:
Source(s):
Source(s):
Reason +Facts:
Reason +Facts:
Source(s):
Source(s):
Introduction
Attention
Grabber
 Thesis/
Opinion
Statement
Attention Grabber:
Thesis Statement:

Reason #1
Reason #2
Evidence:
Reason #3
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Conclusion
 Restatement
of Thesis/
Opinion
 Summary of
Reasons
 Call to Action
Opinion Statement:
Summary of Reasons:
Call to Action:
*
Criteria
POSITION
Instructional Rubric for a Persuasive Essay
Gradations of Quality
4
3
2
I make a claim and
I make a claim but
My claim is buried,
explain why it is
don’t explain why it
confused, and/or
controversial.
is controversial.
unclear.
1
I don’t say what my
argument or claim is.
CONTENT
Reasons in
support of
the claim
I give clear and
accurate reasons in
support of my claim.
I give reasons in
support of my claim,
but I overlook
important reasons.
Reasons
against the
claim
I discuss the reasons
against my claim and
explain why it is
valid anyway.
Researched
evidence
The facts I provide
are well-researched
and cited.
My writing has a
compelling opening,
an informative
middle, and a
satisfying conclusion.
I discuss the reasons
against my claim but
neglect some or don't
explain why the
claim still stands.
The facts I provide
are from research and
cited.
My writing has a
beginning, a middle,
and an end.
ORGANIZATION
I give 1 or 2 weak
reasons that don't
support my claim
and/or irrelevant or
confusing reasons.
I say that there are
reasons against the
claim, but I don't
discuss them.
I don't give reasons in
support of my claim.
The facts I provide
are from questionable
research—but cited.
My organization is
rough but workable. I
may sometimes get
off topic.
I don’t cite many
facts about the issue.
I don't acknowledge
or discuss the reasons
against my claim.
My writing is aimless
and disorganized.
STYLE
Voice and
tone
It sounds like I care
about my argument. I
tell how I think and
feel about it.
My tone is OK, but
my paper could have
been written by
anyone. I need to tell
how I think and feel.
My writing is bland
or pretentious. There
is either no hint of a
real person in it, or it
sounds like I'm
faking it.
My writing is too
formal or informal. It
sounds like I don't
like the topic of the
essay.
Word choice
The words that I use
are striking but
natural, varied, and
vivid.
I make some fine and
some routine word
choices.
I use the same words
over and over. Some
words may be
confusing.
Sentence
fluency
My sentences are
clear, complete, and
of varying lengths.
I have wellconstructed
sentences. My essay
marches along but
doesn't dance.
The words that I use
are often dull or
uninspired or sound
like I'm trying too
hard to impress.
My sentences are
often awkward, runons, or fragments.
I use correct
grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling.
I have a few errors to
fix, but I generally
use correct
conventions.
I have enough errors
in my essay to
distract a reader.
Numerous errors
make my paper hard
to read.
CONVENTIONS
Many run-on
sentences and
sentence fragments
make my essay hard
to read.
Adapted from*
Goodrich Andrade, H. (2000). Using Rubrics to Promote Thinking and Learning. Educational Leadership, 57(5), 13-18.