Eapp Lesson 8

LESSON 8:
WRITING A
POSITION
PAPER
When we face an issue and are
challenged to make a stand,
we must support it with
logical arguments.
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.
Why are position
papers written?
Position papers are The fundamental goal of
written to generate a position paper is not
only to present your
support regarding a
stand on an issue/idea
particular stand/ but also to
determine how
idea your stance is
(Xavier.edu.2020) related to the
arguments of
others. (CSU,
2020)
Parts of a Position
Paper
INTRODUCTION
a. Start with an introduction that presents the issue while grabbing the
attention of readers.
b. Define the issues and discuss their background
c. Provide a general statement of your position via your thesis

statement.
BODY
a. State your main arguments.
b. Provide sufficient evidence for each argument such as

statistical data, interviews with experts, and testimonies.
c. Provide counterarguments against the possible weaknesses

of your arguments.
CONCLUSION
a. Restate your position and main arguments.
b. Suggest a course of action.
c. State what makes your position paper superior and more

acceptable
d. End with a powerful closing statement such as a quotation, a

challenge, or a question.
STRUCTURE OF A
POSITION PAPER
The structure of a position paper is flexible, but it should
generally follow a simple flow that clearly conveys the problem
and the position of the author(s). 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. It should then
address the main position of the author.
The author should list the common arguments and possible objections
against this position. To continue with our example:
Argument 1: A sugary drink tax that focuses on soda may not impact
other products that have an equally negative health impact such as
fruit juice or candy.
Argument 2: A sugary drink tax is regressive and places a financial
burden on the poorest consumers.
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.
Finally, summarize your main points and re-state your
position in your conclusion. All arguments in the paper should
be backed up by facts, data, and evidence, with proper citation
attributed to your sources. In this way, a position paper is no
different from an ordinary research paper. If you wish, you
can include a brief literature review in your discussion of the
background of the issue. While such a literature review is not
essential, it can make your paper stronger.
CHOOSING
AN ISSUE
1. The issue 2. The issue 3. The issue 4. The issue
should be should be should be should be
debatable. You current and written in a specific and
cannot take relevant. question form manageable.
any position if and
the topic is not answerable by
debatable. yes or no.
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 whom the paper is written for (the public, other
scientists, policymakers, 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.
A POSITION PAPER CAN BE A GREAT
WAY TO EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS
AND WRITE A NEW TYPE OF
RESEARCH PAPER. WHILE POSITION
PAPERS ARE UNLIKE ORDINARY
RESEARCH PAPERS, THEY STILL
CONTRIBUTE VALUABLE
PERSPECTIVES TO THE SCIENTIFIC
COMMUNITY. USE THESE TEN TIPS
TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE POSITION
PAPER!
MAN
IF E S
TO
Manifesto, a document publicly declaring the
position or program of its issuer. A manifesto
advances a set of ideas, opinions, or views, but it can
also lay out a plan of action. While it can address any
topic, it most often concerns art, literature, or
politics. Manifestos are generally written in the name
of a group sharing a common perspective, ideology,
or purpose rather than in the name of a single
individual.
ARG
UME
NT
An argument is usually a main idea, often
called a “claim” or “thesis statement,” backed
up with evidence that supports the idea.
CL A
IM
A claim defines your paper’s goals, direction,
scope, and is supported by evidence, quotations,
argumentation, expert opinion, statistics, and
telling details. A claim must be argumentative.
When you make a claim, you are arguing for a
certain interpretation or understanding of your
subject. Claims are, essentially, the evidence that
writers or speakers use to prove their point.
ASSU
MPT
ION
The assumption is information not stated in
the argument that has to be true for the
argument’s logic to hold. Simply put, an
assumption is something an argument takes
for granted in reaching its conclusion.
EVID
ENC
E
Evidence is the available body
of facts or information
indicating whether a belief or
proposition is true or valid.
ACTIVITY 1
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 one-to-two-page position
paper. Make sure to follow the guidelines in making it.
(Write your 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)
The rubrics in the evaluation of your position ________________________________________________________________________________________________

paper are as follows:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Argumentation (quality of logic,
evidence, and explanation) = 25% ________________________________________________________________________________________..........
Persuasion= 25% Language= 20%
Conclusion: (This part includes restating your claim, summarizing reasons and explaining why your stand/ claim is
Organization= 20% Mechanics
(spelling, grammar and punctuation) worthy to read)
=10%
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________...........

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LESSON 8:

b. Define the issues and discuss their background

c. Provide a general statement of your position via your thesis

b. Provide sufficient evidence for each argument such as

c. Provide counterarguments against the possible weaknesses

b. Suggest a course of action.

c. State what makes your position paper superior and more

d. End with a powerful closing statement such as a quotation, a

The rubrics in the evaluation of your position ________________________________________________________________________________________________

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