Professionals are often asked to research important issues and make a recommendation or advocate for a cause that is essential to the organization's mission. The first step in this process is to research the background of an issue, particularly one with multiple points of view, and form a thesis, a statement about how you view the issue. Once you form a viewpoint, you then must defend/argue your point of view. If there is potentially strong opinions (think about writing a position paper on abortion and you will have an idea about strong opinions on multiple fronts), you will need to think about how to address these opposing viewpoints. One of the sample links provided gives you examples and how you could structure this type of argument. Even if you don't have leaders voicing strong opinions on an opposing side, it can be helpful to consider what might detract someone from your position and address it. For example, perhaps you advocate for a new communication program, but there are costs to a cash-strapped organization that might find other uses for its funds or a free program that requires time and you need to make the case for the importance/benefit of your position. In its most basic form, a position paper is an articulate argument for your point of view. You will provide research and be able to defend your viewpoint on a communication issue you believe is important. There isn't just one way to write a good position paper, and while the academic structure assumes you have strong opposing viewpoints (think politics), you may have less opposition and instead have more space in your paper to advocate for how your position could be enacted (see examples with recommendation sections.) For the two position papers you will write, you will need to pick two different communication topics to write a position paper on. Ideally, these topics should have multiple ways to approach them. For example, you might write a position paper on the need for all companies, regardless of the culture, to communicate guidelines for how remote workers communicate. In this paper, you might address several aspects: Hesitancy to set guidelines, especially for organizations with a relaxed culture Address reasons people might oppose this position Identify the need for these guidelines 1 Cite studies, including possibly case studies, to support your thesis Offer recommendations for what these guidelines should include and how they should be communicated (Note: I'm not advocating for the above position, but I want to offer you an example and give you some aspects to include in your paper.) You will have the opportunity to write about two different topics. Your final paper for each topic should be no less than 12 full pages, not including citations, title page, etc. This paper should rely heavily on sources to support your view; remember, I will know your view from reading the paper so there is no need to write: I believe...and then argue a personal viewpoint. The paper you are working on now is position paper 1. This is based on the topic you proposed for your proposal. The next step is to begin your research because this needs to be a well- researched paper, which should be 12 full pages. More details are available in the Canvas assignment called Position Paper After you finish with your 12 pages paper, create a slide of the summary of your paper. You can produce your slides in several different ways--as a screen capture that records your voice with visuals (i.e. PowerPoint/Prezi) or with you standing next to a screen and someone recording your presentation. I will be looking for the following as part of your presentation: Are you knowledgeable about your subject? Do you appear prepared? (Note- You will want to rehearse or record more than one take.) Do you address the material requested on the slides (info below)? Does your presentation appear professional and free of errors? 2 You will need to include the following: Title Slide Your paper's title, your name, graphic element if appropriate Slide 2 Introduce your topic Slide 3 Explain why the topic is important You should use evidence from your research here. Slide 4 Introduce your point of view/thesis Provide some interesting details about what you found that supports this (Note--you will not be able to tell us about your entire paper here.) Slide 5 Opposing viewpoint- you may briefly indicate opposing views and refute them (if you have not already addressed it--avoid repeating your points) Next Slide- Implications & Conclusion How will this impact businesses/organizations in the future? Can you predict any future changes based on your research? Finally, conclude by reminding the audience of your position and ask for questions/comments. Topic that you're going to be working on: Al in Workplace Communication: Lack of Emotions A.I. The New York Times. 3 The use of Al in workplace communication, such as email correspondence and contract formatting, is a growing concern. An issue highlighted is the absence of emotional expression typical in human interactions when ChatGPT manages work communication. This raises worries that an increased reliance on Al in communication tasks may undermine genuine human relationships and understanding. There's a risk that excessive dependence on Al might erode human touch and emotional skills essential for effective workplace interactions. As the nature of the workplace evolves, the debate on whether Al should replace or complement human communication methods becomes increasingly significant. Balancing the benefits of efficiency with the drawbacks of emotional disconnect in communication poses a challenge. Exploring potential solutions to maintain a balance between efficiency and emotional intelligence in Al- mediated communication is essential. False Information: Risks and Rewards A.I. The New York Times. The use of Al, exemplified by Al-powered tools like Ask AT&T, holds the promise of enhanced efficiency in simplifying code-related tasks and streamlining job responsibilities. However, the article emphasizes the need for careful consideration due to potential issues such as the dissemination of false information, adverse reactions, and data breaches. Responsible use of creative Al in the workplace necessitates the establishment of clear rules and safety measures. The growing prevalence of generative Al prompts reflection on whether the gains in productivity outweigh the risks associated with misinformation and security vulnerabilities. Investigating optimal strategies for leveraging Al to benefit business operations while mitigating potential risks is a crucial aspect of navigating the evolving landscape of Al integration in the workplace. Human Replacement Concerns Wall Street Journal. The complete replacement of human roles, especially in content creation within marketing and communication, is an unlikely outcome of Al advancement. While Al, such as ChatGPT, can generate coherent text, it lacks the intricate knowledge, creativity, and strategic thinking 4 inherent in human contributions. Emphasizing the importance of retaining the original purpose of business communication, Rosen cautions against viewing Al as a comprehensive solution for skilled human workers. Recognizing the potential for simplified processes and cost reduction, he underscores the fallacy of believing that Al can entirely supplant human roles in business communication. Although Al can generate understandable text, its current limitations include an inability to comprehend complex ideas or strategize like humans. While acknowledging the benefits of Al, a cautious approach is advocated, highlighting the irreplaceable value of human understanding and creativity. At least for now, Al is seen as a tool to augment, rather than completely replace, human involvement in communication processes. 5