Because essays finding common ground must avoid the appearance of bias, they rely heavily on quotations to convey the positions of the proponents and to articulate criticisms of those positions. Notice how Jeremy Bernard integrates longer and shorter quotations to articulate the positions and criticisms of those positions.
Uses quotations to articulate positions and criticisms
9However, Walker disagrees with Mitchell’s way of defining “a level playing field” as one where “success and advancement . . . is the result of ability and hard work” (Mitchell 5). According to Walker, Mitchell makes a false distinction between what is natural and unnatural. Whereas certain aids to performance—such as better bats, chemical-filled drinks like Gatorade, Tommy John and Lasik surgery—are considered natural and therefore allowable, other aids—particularly PEDs—are deemed unnatural and banned. To support his argument, Walker cites Fost again. “Here’s what Fost wrote in ‘Steroid Hysteria’: ‘There is no coherent argument to support the view that enhancing performance is unfair. If it were, we should ban coaching and training. Competition can be unfair if there is unequal access to such enhancements.’”
Uses quotation marks and integrates shorter quotations into his own sentences
10In other words, unequal access is the key to the unfairness argument. On this point, Mitchell and Walker seem to agree. The argument is really about making sure that there is a level playing field. Mitchell puts his finger on it when he explains that
the illegal use of these substances by some players is unfair to the majority of players who do not use them. These players have a right to expect a level playing field where success and advancement to the major leagues is the result of ability and hard work. They should not be forced to choose between joining the ranks of those who illegally use these substances or falling short of their ambition to succeed at the major league level. (5)
Omits quotation marks and indents longer quotations (over 4 lines in MLA style; over 40 words in APA style) a half inch from the left margin
Ethicists call this a coercion argument. “Steroids are coercive,” Fost explains, because “if your opponents use them, you have to” as well or you risk losing. Walker has a simple solution: allow PEDs to be “equally available to any who might want them.” He argues that there are lots of requirements or expectations that athletes regularly make choices about. He sees “no logical or ethical distinction between—just for example—killer workouts and PEDs.” Therefore, Walker concludes, each athlete has to decide for him- or herself what’s “appropriate or necessary.”