POSITION PAPER

Lesson 3
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Position Paper
About the Lesson…
The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially channel.

- Piet Mondrian

The only constant in

.

In this lesson, students will

learn to be organized and outline your

viewpoint on an issue. Formally inform

others of a position paper should also

be noted as a foundation to build

resolution to difficult problems.

Position Paper
 LESSON 2:

Position Paper
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OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

explain the sequence position paper;

differentiate position paper to other academic text,
and
come-up with a sample of position paper.

ENGAGE and ENRICH the EXCITEMENT

The pre-activity will start with a question:

Asking the students if they are IN FAVOR with

same sex marriage…

Direction:

The subject teacher serves as mediator and identifies those in favor and not
agrees with the policy. Students will answer one at a time and every answer is in need
to be respected by both sides.

BRAIN BUILDER
A position paper is an essay that presents an arguable opinion about an
issue – typically that of the author or some specified entity. Position papers are
published in academia, in politics, in law and other domains. The goal of a position
paper is to convince the audience that the opinion presented is valid and worth listening

Position Paper
to. Ideas for position papers that one is considering need to be carefully examined
when choosing a topic, developing an argument, and organizing the paper.

Position papers range from the simplest format of a letter to the editor, through
to the most complex in the form of an academic position paper. Position papers are also
used by large organizations to make public the official beliefs and recommendations of
the group.

Argument Topics

1. Have to be about an issue where people don't agree.

2. Can be disagreements about facts, definitions, causes, values or solutions.

Choosing Your Topic

Each topic question is followed by the type of claim statement it makes which
can help you find a topic if your assignment is to write a particular kind of essay. All of
the claim types are useful for "Argument," "Position," or "Expository" essays. In
addition:

1. Fact and Definition claims are good for "Definition" or "Description" essays.
2. Cause claims are useful for "Cause Effect" or "Causal" essays. Policy claims are
good for "Problem Solution" or "How to" essays.
3. Value claims are good for "Comparison and Contrast" essays.
4. Policy claims are good for "Problem Solution" or "How to" essays.

Guidelines:

1. Format should be consistent with guidelines determined by the sponsoring

organization or committee
2. Include topic, date, purpose, etc., and should readily identify you as the author
3. If the paper represents a group, organization, committee, do not write in the first
person (not I, my, mine, etc. but rather we, our, etc.)
4. Limit yourself to two pages following the format established by previous
successful position papers

Research:
 Develop supporting evidence for both sides
including factual knowledge, statistical evidence, authoritative testimony

Position Paper
  Identify the issues and prejudices keeping in mind your audience
List these as appropriate and anticipate counterclaims
 Assume familiarity with basic concepts 
but define unfamiliar terms/concepts or state meanings that define your point of
departure
 Refer to those who agree with your position to assist you in developing your
argument
 Familiarize yourself with those who disagree with you to prepare your defense.
Summarize their argument and evidence, then refute

Introduction:
 Consider your audience: 
start with a topic sentence or two that attracts attention and summarizes the
issue. Inform the reader of your point of view.

Development:
Focus on three main points to develop. Each topic is developed with:
 a general statement of the position
 an elaboration that references documents and source data
 past experiences and authoritative testimony
 conclusion restating the position

Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph

 Keep your voice active
 Quote sources to establish authority
 Stay focused on your point of view throughout the essay
 Focus on logical arguments
 Don't lapse into summary
in the development--wait for the conclusion

Conclusion
 Summarize, then conclude, your argument
 Refer to the first paragraph/opening statements
as well as the main points
 does the conclusion restate the main ideas?
 reflect the succession and importance of the arguments
 logically conclude their development?

Share a draft with others
 to better develop the paper and ensure that your argument is clear

Revise, spell-check, and succeed in building your case.

Position Paper
 SAMPLE POSITION PAPER
This is an example of what a position paper might look like. This is in no way a required
format or style, but rather a suggested model for the document. The only requirement is the
information before each topic.
Committee: World Health Organisation
Topic: Eradication of Polio
Country: The Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as a nation still dealing with the detrimental
effects of the Poliovirus (PV), believes that the eradication of polio is not only an essential
step towards reaching the Millennium goals established in 2000, but also an attainable goal
in and of itself. Globally, there are only two regions in which PV is still considered
endemic: the Central African and Central Asian regions. The DRC strongly holds the belief
that with concrete, realistic pledges of aid by all member states and the cooperation of
affected-nations’ governments with WHO and other UN initiated programmes, the disease
can be eliminated within this generation.
With the WHO as a leading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the
DRC believes it is essential that all member states of the WHO keep their promises made at
the GPEI’s establishment in 1988. Specifically, the DRC laments the increasing funding
gap for the programme, and calls upon all nations, especially the developed nations, to
increase their monetary support of the programme. The DRC also believes that an obstacle
to the goal of eradication is the lack of developed infrastructure. Therefore, the DRC also
pleads to developing nations to continue and augment their development aid to affected
nations so as to eliminate this hindrance. The DRC feels this is an essential aspect to any
resolution passed by the committee.
The DRC would also like to offer itself as a model for a successful implementation of an
eradication programme. No longer endemic within the DRC’s borders, PV has decreased
due to the use of National Immunisation Days (NIDs) – an effort that has begun in other
African nations, such as Nigeria – and a social mobilisation programme. The promotion of
these two elements is also necessary within a resolution. The major obstacle to the success
of these programmes in the DRC was the Second Congo War (1998-2003), during which 5
of the 11 DRC districts were occupied by invading forces and much infrastructure was lost.
Due to this, the DRC feels that any resolution passed must contain some sort of reprimand
for a nation who prevents the continuation of any eradication programme.

Position Paper
PURPOSE OF POSITION PAPER

The purpose of a position paper is to generate support on an issue. It describes

the author’s position on an issue and the rational for that position and, in the same way
that a research paper incorporates supportive evidence, is based on facts that provide a
solid foundation for the author’s argument. It is a critical examination of a position
using facts and inductive reasoning, which addresses both strengths and weaknesses of
the author’s opinion.

ELEMENTS OF THE POSITION PAPER

The classic position paper contains three main elements:

An Introduction, which identifies the issue that will be discussed and states the
author’s position on that issue.
The Body of the paper, which contains the central argument and can be further
broken up into three unique sections:
Background information
Evidence supporting the author’s position
A discussion of both sides of the issue, which addresses and refutes arguments
that contradict the author’s position
A Conclusion, restating the key points and, where applicable, suggesting
resolutions to the issue.

REINFORCER:

Play and Watch the Video for greater understanding…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eERx5eOe8gY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJWvH5YdOLM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtsY44EhRls

Activity 1. Group Activity

With use of above stated examples, try to write or make your position
paper using the following possible topics stated below:

1. Rescheduling of Academic Calendar

2. Racial and gender discrimination in the workforce discrimination.

3. Sexual harassment for children and women

Position Paper
4. War on Drugs

5. China over Philippines?

6. Rehabilitation of Manila Bay

7. Salary Increase for Teachers

8. Political Dynasty

9. Anti-Palo Bill

10. Duterte Administration

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_paper

https://www.studygs.net/wrtstr9.htm

https://bowiestate.libguides.com/c.php?g=442189&p=3014828

Position Paper