Writing the

Position Paper
Lesson 1: Quarter 2

Prepared by: Ms. Nelly Jean T. Manalo

Most Essential Learning Competency

● Analyzes the arguments used by the

writer/s in manifestoes.
● Defends a stand on an issue by presenting
reasonable arguments supported by
properly cited factual evidences.
● Writes various kinds of position papers.
 Activity
The following sets of
jumbled letters are terms
that are related to the topic.
Rearrange the letters to
form those words.
 Activity
1. D E V I N E C E
2. T I O N P O S I P E R P A
3. T A R G U N E M
4. D U C T I N I O N R O
5. S I O N C L U C O N
6. S E S U S I
 Answers
1. EVIDENCE
2. POSITION PAPER
3. ARGUMENT
4. INTRODUCTION
5. CONCLUSION
6. ISSUES
 What is
position paper?
 POSITION PAPER
- is an essay that expresses a position
about an issue.
- presents the writer’s stand or viewpoint
on a particular issue.
- gives arguments that support the opinion
of the writer based on the facts collected.
 POSITION PAPER

- Topics of position papers or manifestoes

are: political, artistic, scientific and
educational, professional, and technology.
- The main objective of writing a position
paper is to take part in a larger debate by
stating your arguments and proposed course
of action.
 The best way to defend
your stand is to provide
supporting evidence which
includes the following:
❑ Factual Knowledge – information that is
verifiable and agreed upon by almost
everyone.
❑ Statistical Inferences – interpretation and
examples of an accumulation of facts.
❑ Informed Opinion – opinion developed through
research and/or expertise of the claim.
❑ Personal Testimony – personal experience
related by a knowledgeable party.
 Manifesto
Argument
Claims/Counterclaims
Opinion Vocabulary
Logical Appeal
Emotional Appeal list
Ethical Appeal
Fallacies
 Manifesto

- document or letter publicly declaring the

position or program of its issuer.
- its set of ideas, opinions, or views can also lay
out a plan of action. It is posted or
distributed to the public that announces
information such as the motive, reasoning, or
demands of a person or group.
 Argument

- A process of reasoning; series

of reasons; a statement,
reason, or facts for or against a
point.
 Claim/Counterclaim

Claim- main argument

Counterclaim- opposing
argument
 Opinion

- A view or judgment formed

about something, not
necessarily based on fact or
knowledge
 Logical Appeal

- Refers to a reasonable
approach in developing
an argument.
 Emotional Appeal

- Uses arguments in a way

that evokes or uncovers
feelings
 Fallacies

- Errors in reasoning;
a false or mistaken
idea.
 Ethical Appeal

- Refers to your credibility

or believability and
competence as a writer.
Introduction Parts of a
Body Position
Conclusion Paper
 Introduction
➢ Start with an introduction which
presents the issue while grabbing the
attention of the readers.
➢ Define the issue and discuss its
background.
➢ Provide a general statement of your
position via your thesis statement.
 Body
➢ State your main arguments.
➢ Provide sufficient evidence for each
argument such as data, interviews
with experts, and testimonies.
➢ Provide counter arguments against
the possible weaknesses of your
arguments .
 Conclusion
➢ Restate your position and main
arguments.
➢ Suggest course of action.
➢ State what makes your position
superior and more acceptable.
➢ End with a powerful closing statement
such as a quotation, a challenge, or a
question.
 Position Paper Outline
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the issue.
B. Provide background on the issue.
C. Provide thesis statement on your stand of the issue.
II. Body (the arguments/reasons)
A. Argument #1 of your claims
1. Give your opinion
2. Provide supporting evidence
B. Argument #2 of your claims
1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide support evidence.
C. Argument #3 of your claim
1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide support evidence.
D. Provide counterarguments against possible weaknesses of your arguments.
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your argument.
B. Provide a plan of action.
 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?
 Should Homework be Mandatory?
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.
 Should Homework be Mandatory?
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.
 Should Homework be Mandatory?
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 solve the problems themselves aiming to have
more time for family, not lessons. As a result, the child
will have the homework done. But that’s really not his
work. So, the whole idea of dedicating time to self-
education is lost here.
 Should Homework be Mandatory?
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.
 Should Homework be Mandatory?
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.
 Guidelines in
Writing a Position
Paper
 Guidelines in Writing a Position Paper
1. Choose an issue.
✓ The issue should be debatable.
✓ The issue should be current and
relevant. The issue should be written
in a question form and answerable by
yes or no.
✓ The issue should be narrow and
manageable.
 Guidelines in Writing a Position Paper
2. Begin the writing process by
conducting an in-depth research on the
issue.
3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms
when you first mention them.
4. Be aware of various positions about
the issue and explain and analyze them
objectively.
 Guidelines in Writing a Position Paper
5. Reflect on your position and identify its
weaknesses.
6. Cite valid and reliable sources to
establish the credibility of your
arguments.
7. View the issue in a different
perspective so you can present a unique
approach.
 Guidelines in Writing a Position Paper
8. Limit your position paper to two pages.
9. Analyze your target readers and align
your arguments to their beliefs, needs,
interests, and motivations.
10. Summarize the other side’s
counterarguments and use various
evidence and data to refute them.
 Guidelines in Writing a Position Paper
11. Use an active voice as much as
possible to achieve a dynamic and firm
tone.
12. Arrange your evidence using an
inductive (specific to general ideas) or
deductive( from general to specific ideas)
approach.
 Guidelines in Writing a Position Paper

13. Check you argument for fallacies

and eliminate them.
14. Use ethical, logical, and emotional
appeal.