ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

QUARTER 4: MODULE 8
WRITING A POSITION PAPER

What is a position paper?

 According to Fleming (2018), a position paper is one where an author chooses a side on a
particular topic and builds up a case for your opinion or position. Building up your case will
entail the use of facts and statistics to convince the readers that the author’s position on the
matter is the best one.

 As defined by Merriam-Webster, a position paper is a detailed report that recommends a

course of action on a particular issue.
Why are position papers written?
 Position papers are written for the purpose of generating support regarding a particular stand/
idea (Xavier.edu.2020)

 The fundamental goal of a position paper is not only to present your stand on an issue/ idea but
also to determine how your stance is related to the arguments of others. (CSU, 2020)

Parts of a Position Paper

a. Start with an introduction which presents the issue while

grabbing the attention of readers.
Introduction b. Define the issues and discuss its background.
c. Provide a general statement of your position via your
thesis statement.

a. State your main arguments.

b. Provide sufficient evidence for each argument such as
statistical data, interviews with experts, and
Body
testimonies.
c. Provide counterarguments against the possible
weaknesses of your arguments.

a. Restate your position and main arguments.

b. Suggest a course of action.
c. State what makes your position paper superior and
Conclusion more acceptable,
d. End with a powerful closing statement such as
quotation, a challenge, or a question
Structure of a Position Paper

 A position paper should begin by clearly stating the problem and its relevance to the scientific
community or even to the society as a whole.

 The author should clearly list the common arguments and possible objections against this
position.

 A strong position paper acknowledges the validity of the counter-arguments and then puts forth
reasons why the author’s position is still the correct one.

 All arguments in the paper should be backed up by facts, data, and evidence, with proper
citation attributed to your sources.
Choosing an Issue
1. The issue should be debatable. You cannot take any position if the topic is not debatable.
2. The issue should be current and relevant.
3. The issue should be written in a question form and answerable by yes or no.
4. The issue should be specific and manageable.
Ten Tips for Writing a Strong Position Paper
1. Select a timely, relevant topic with two clear opposing sides.
2. Conduct thorough preliminary research and collect evidence to support arguments for and
against your position.
3. Identify your intended audience. You should tailor your tone depending on who the paper is
written for (the public, other scientists, policy makers, etc.).
4. Clearly state your position on the topic.
5. List and refute the counter-arguments to your position.
6. Include supporting data and evidence to back up your argument.
7. Properly attribute your sources using correct citation.
8. Keep it simple! Position papers don’t need to go into excessive detail. Present your points
clearly and briefly.
9. Each paragraph in the paper should discuss a single idea
10. Have someone proofread your paper to ensure it reads well and looks professional.
Let us familiarize the following words:

 Manifesto - a document publicly declaring the position or program of its issuer.

 Argument – is usually a main idea, often called a “claim” or “thesis statement,” backed up with
evidence that supports the idea.
  Claim- defines your paper’s goals, direction, scope, and is supported by evidence, quotations,
argumentation, expert opinion, statistics, and telling details.
 Assumption- is information not stated in the argument that has to be true in order for the
argument’s logic to hold.
 Evidence- is the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition
is true or valid.

ACTIVITY

Directions: Analyze the following text very carefully. Then, answer the questions below the text. Write
your answer on one whole sheet of paper.

Should Homework be Mandatory?

I can almost see many students nodding along with me as I ask this question. Younger
generations overloaded with home tasks and numerous assignments have already raised this issue
many times.

Yet, homework remains mandatory.

Is it fair or should it be cancelled?
I believe that homework should not be viewed as a mandatory part of education for several
reasons.

First, children spend seven hours every single workday at school. That is a huge chunk of life,
and with homework added on top of these hours, a child is left with no time to live his life to the fullest,
socialize, or grow in other areas.

Second, sitting at your desk solving problems does no good to your health. Kids need time to
get outside and have some fun, join a football league, or ride their bikes with friends around the block.
Otherwise, children will be very smart but surprisingly weak physically.

Another argument against this position is that homework is not always the best way to obtain
knowledge quality-wise. Students tend to ask their parents or siblings for help whenever facing
difficulties. Busy parents not always willing to spend extra time explaining school material to their little
one solves the problems themselves aiming to have more time for family, not lessons. As a result, the
child will have the homework done. But that is really not his work. So, the whole idea of dedicating time
to self- education is lost here.

Finally, knowing that after classes you would still have to work at home makes a kid less
concentrated at school. This results in short attention spans and difficulty to concentrate on something
for too long.
 All in all, homework should rather be an option. Students understanding that they are left
behind at some subjects will take their time to go over the material at home. However, in other cases,
they should have time after school for other activities.
Accessed from: (https://chiefessays.net/position-essay-examples-to-help-you-graspthe-idea/

Questions:

1. What is the opinion of the writer about the text? (State the writer’s position)

2. Do you agree with the writer? Why? Why not?

3. State the first argument of the writer?

4. What is the conclusion of the writer?

5. If you were to write a position paper what will be your stance about giving of homework?

ASSESSMENT

Test I.
A. Directions: Identify the word that is described in each statement. Choose your answer inside
the box.

position paper manifesto argument assumption evidence ________1.

It is one
where an author chooses a side on a particular topic and build up a case for your opinion or position.
________2. A document publicly declaring the position or program of its issuer.
________3. It is usually a main idea, often called a “claim” or “thesis statement,” backed up with
evidence that supports the idea.
_______4. It is something an argument takes for granted in reaching its conclusion.
_______5. It is the available body of facts or information indicating whether.

Test II.

B. What are the different issues in your school, community and country? Choose one issue that
you are interested in and choose your position. Write a position paper. Make sure to follow the
guidelines in making it.

(Write your own title)

Introduction: (In the introduction part you should capture the reader’s attention, define the issue
given and state your claim.)
 ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Body: (State three arguments then cite the evidence supporting your arguments)

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion: (This part includes restating your claim, summarizing reasons and explaining why
your stand/ claim is worthy to read)

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

RUBRICS
Argumentation (quality of logic, evidence, and 15%
explanation)
Persuasion 10%
Language 10%
Organization 10%
Mechanics (spelling, grammar and punctuation) 5%
TOTAL 50%

Test III.

C. Directions: Write T if the statement is true and F if false. Use your activity notebook in answering this
activity.

______ 1. A good position paper considers all possible views on the issue at hand.
______ 2. An issue is a crucial component of a position paper.
______ 3. An issue is debatable if it cannot be answered by yes or no.
______ 4. Audience analysis will help you write a more persuasive position paper.
______ 5. One way to establish your credibility as a writer is to boast about your credentials.
______ 6. Opinions are better than facts in supporting arguments.
______ 7. Statistics can be used as evidence to support an argument.
______ 8. The main goal of a position paper is to inform readers.
______ 9. The strongest type of appeal in a position paper is logical appeal.
______10. Your position should be restated in the concluding paragraph.