Few historical debates get students as engaged as the decision to use the atomic bomb. After reading Hiroshima, many are eager to weigh in, and a position paper is a natural way to channel that energy. The assignment asks them to take a stand and defend it with evidence.

Grading position papers on a topic this charged calls for clear ground rules. Students may hold strong and differing views, and some have personal or family connections to the history. Your grading must be visibly fair to every position.

It also needs to reward the right things. A passionate paper with thin evidence should not outscore a measured one with solid reasoning. The rubric needs to say so, and you need to apply it consistently.

Here is how to keep both goals in balance.

Announce the Grading Rules in Advance

Tell students clearly that no position will be favored and that the grade depends on the quality of their argument. Share the rubric before they write. This reduces worry that a teacher's views will influence the score.

• Position: states a clear stance on the decision and defines the question being debated.
• Evidence: uses accurate, specific facts and sources, including Hersey where relevant.
• Reasoning: connects evidence to the claim with logical steps.
• Counterargument: fairly presents at least one opposing view and responds to it.
• Tone: argues respectfully and avoids treating opponents as unreasonable.

Reward Engagement With the Opposing View

Counterargument is where the best papers separate themselves. Students who present the opposing case accurately, not as a strawman, show real intellectual maturity. Give this criterion meaningful weight.

If a paper ignores the other side, a comment asking what a thoughtful critic would say can prompt a strong revision. It helps students learn that persuasion depends on taking opposition seriously. That lesson applies far beyond this assignment.

Keep Your Own Views Out of the Margins

It is easy for a teacher's reaction to leak into feedback. Watch your phrasing, especially in short comments. Stick to observations about evidence, logic, and structure.

Some teachers find it helpful to have another person review borderline papers, or to use a rubric-driven AI tool as a neutral reference point. Whatever method you choose, the goal is that students trust the grade regardless of where they stand on the issue.

Debrief the Debate

After returning the papers, hold a discussion in which students reflect on how well they represented the other side. Many will notice things they missed. It reinforces the value of understanding an argument before rejecting it.

Position papers on difficult topics can be among the most valuable assignments in a course. Fair, transparent grading helps students take the risk of arguing honestly, and that willingness is what makes the writing worth reading.