POSITION PAPER

PREPARED BY: TINTIN ARCALAS

 POSITION PAPER

 A position paper is a writing work that serves one

main purpose: to share your opinion with the
audience on the chosen topic. Not only you need to
share it, but define it and document the point of
view behind the theme.

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 POSITION PAPER
 It is an essay or report which expresses a position, conclusion, or
recommendation concerning a contested issue or undecided
question.
 The purpose of position paper is to generate a support on an issue.
 It describes a position on an issue.
 It describes a position on an issue and the rational for that position.
 It is based on facts that provides a solid foundation for your
arguments.
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Components of a Position Paper:

Explains Both Sides

Persuasive Support Evidence

Reasonable Tone Arguable

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How to write a Position Paper (Outline)?
 INTRODUCTION – it should clearly identify the issue and state the
author’s position. It should be written in a way that catches readers
attention.
 BODY – it of the position paper may contain several paragraphs. Each
paragraph should present an idea or main concept that clarifies a
portion of the position statement and is supported by evidence or
facts. Evidence can be primary source quotations, statistical data,
interviews w/ experts, and indisputable dates or events.
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How to write a Position Paper (Outline)?
 BODY – Evidence should lead, through inductive reasoning, to the
main concept or idea presented in the paragraph. The body may
begin with some background information and should incorporate a
discussion of both sides of the issue.
 CONCLUSION – it should summarize the main concepts and ideas
and reinforce, without repeating, the introduction or body of the
paper. It could include suggested courses of action and possible
solutions.
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Correct/Guideline Position Paper Format
 Choose the font size 12
 Use Times New Roman (or Calibri, Californian fb, or any formal font style)
 Use single inch margin only
 Keep the entire text single spaced
 Write in paragraph form
 Write maximum one page per topic
 AVOID including graphs, maps, pictures, and charts. You can add statistics
to the format (if applicable).

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Tips on how to write: Comprehensive, Detailed, Painless-to-write
 Start w/ a brief introduction to the country’s involvement or interest
and its history regarding the topic.
 Follow with the country’s background on the topic and actions taken
on the national level and other current topic-oriented policies.
*Action taken on the international level: Resolution, Convention
Tips: link your country to the work that has been already done
 Include quotes by the state representatives or statistical data
 Specify the country’s recommendation for a resolution for the topic
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Techniques on Writing a Position Paper:
1. You should use evidence to support your position, such as
statistical evidence or dates and events
2. Validate your position with authoritative reference or primary
source quotation.
3. Examine the strength and weaknesses of your position.
4. Evaluate possible position and suggest course of action.

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 Techniques on Writing a Position Paper:
 Choose an issue where there is a clear division of opinion & which is
arguable with facts and inductive reasoning. You may choose an issue
on which you have already formed an opinion. However, in writing
about this issue you must examine your opinion of the issue critically.
Prior to writing your position paper, define and limit your issue
carefully. Social issues are complex with multiple solutions. Narrow the
topic of your position paper to something that is manageable.
Research your issue thoroughly, consulting experts & obtaining primary
documents. Consider feasibility, cost-effectiveness & political/social
climate when evaluating possible solution & courses of action.
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 DO’s and DON’Ts when writing a position paper
1. Be Clear and Explicit

2. Write in the Present tense

3. Avoid First person pronoun

4. Avoid Superlatives

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 Table 1 Position paper topic
VIEWPOINT SCHOOL UNIFORM
Arguable Viewpoints For or Against School uniform

Table 2 Pick arguments for/against

AGAINST SCHOOL
VIEWPOINT FOR SCHOOL UNIFORM
UNIFORM
Supporting reasons Saves money Expensive to buy
Ensure equality Eliminate free
expression
*Collect a list of reasons to support a particular viewpoint
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 Table 3 Proceed with the slant
FOR SCHOOL UNIFORM AGAINST SCHOOL UNIFORM

A uniform policy ensures true A uniform policy can eliminate one’s

quality and saves enough money free expression and can be too
expensive to buy

*Write sentences that make your stand clear to your readers

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 POSITION PAPER
Write the INTRODUCTION
 use the introduction to inform your readers about your point of view. It
mainly has two primary goals. One is to identify the issue and the other
to state your assertion.
 Begin your introduction with a strong hook – include everything that
will grab your reader’s attention. Keep in mind that you are writing a
research-based paper. Therefore, make sure to write it in the third
person.
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 POSITION PAPER
Write the BODY PARAGRAPH
 The body of your position paper must consist of a minimum of three
body paragraphs. Depending on your paper’s length, you might decide
to add more content. Make sure that each paragraph states the main
argument to support your position.
 You can include statistics and quotes to support your argument. DO
NOT forget to explain why your point of view is valid.

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 POSITION PAPER
CONCLUDE your position paper
 Write a strong conclusion that restates your position. Stress the
importance of your thesis. Sum up your argument on a high note.

**Once you are clear about how to write a position paper, it is time to
check out some interesting topic or ideas that you think may have impact
to be your position paper.

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 WRITE A POSTION PAPER
(Long Bond paper)
 font size 12 – font style: Times New Roman, Calibri, Californian fb, or Georgia
 single inch margin only and single spacing for the entire text
 Write in paragraph form; must be justified
 one to two (1-2) page per topic
 AVOID including graphs, maps, pictures, and charts. However, you can add statistics
to the format (if applicable).
 Enter twice (2x) after your name and grade level & section then write your title
 Enter once after your title then you can start with your position paper.

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ARGUMENTATIVE
ESSAY
PREPARED BY: TINTIN ARCALAS
 ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
 Argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to
investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate; and establish a
position on the topic in a concise manner.
 It is a type of essay that presents arguments about both sides of an
issue. It could that both sides are presented equally balanced, or it
could be that one side is presented more forcefully than the other. It
all depends on the writer on what side he supports the most.
 ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
 In writing an argumentative essay, you need to have a motion. A
motion refers to your main proposal or argument. You need to defend
your motion using facts.
 Moreover, in presenting your arguments, you must be careful not to
include fallacies.

FALLACY – it is an error in reasoning, and this usually happens when we

have faulty assumptions in the way we relate ideas.
What is FALLACY?
 Fallacies are mistaken beliefs based on unsound arguments. They
derive from reasoning that is logically incorrect, thus undermining an
argument’s validity.
 There are many different types of fallacies, and their variations are
almost endless. Given their extensive nature, we’ve curated a list of
common fallacies so you’ll be able to develop sound conclusions
yourself, and quickly identify fallacies in other’s writings and
speeches.
Commonly committed fallacies…
1. Sweeping Generalization -
 This happens when you come up with a conclusion based on a
limited number of examples. For example, you cannot conclude that
all the members of a family are academically gifted if you have only
seen two of their five members graduate with honors.
Hasty Generalization
 This usually occurs when a general rule is applied to a particular
situation on w/c the features of a particular situation render the rule
inapplicable.
Ex: Killing is a crime and is punishable by law. Therefore, the law must
punish this lunatic for he has killed his neighbor.
Commonly committed fallacies…
2. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc (Fallacy of False Cause)
 This fallacy is committed when one infers that because one event
follows another, the first event cause the second.
Ex: The Soviet Union collapsed after taking up atheism. Therefore, we
must avoid atheism if we do not want our government to collapsed.
Ex: I took a “medicol” and prayed to God, and my headache disappeared.
Thus, I say that God cured me of my headache.
Commonly committed fallacies…
3. Poisoning the well / Argumentum ad Hominem
 Literally translated as an argument direct at the man. This is
committed when the arguer attacks the person making the assertion
or the person’s particular circumstances instead of trying to
disapprove the truth of the assertion itself.
Ex: He surely is not telling the truth for he is well known as the greatest
liar in this compound.
Ex: Atheism is an evil philosophy. It is practiced by Communists and
murderers.
Commonly committed fallacies…
4. Appeal to authority / Argumentum ad Verecundiam
 The argument does not necessarily become correct if a popular or
highly esteemed person is the one saying it. It has to be evaluated
based on it own merits.
Ex: This internet news site said that the candidate punches babies. We
know that’s true because it’s on the internet.
Ex: One day robots will enslave us all. It’s true. My computer science
teacher says so.
Commonly committed fallacies…
5. Argumentum ad Populom (Bandwagon Fallacy)
 This fallacy is committed when one attempts to gain popular assent to
a conclusion by arousing the feelings and enthusiasm of the
multitude.
Ex: Almost everyone at my school will be at the party Friday night. It
must be a popular thing to do.
Ex: The bible must be true. Millions of people know that it is. Are you
trying to tell them that they are all mistaken fools?
Commonly committed fallacies…
6. Fallacy of False Analogy
 This works on the premise that when two things are similar in certain
aspects, then they are also similar in other aspects. For example, if a
presidential candidate makes the analogy that running a country is
similar to playing a basketball game, he/she may be guilty because
governance is much more complex than a sports match.
Ex: I know what will become of him. He will be just like his brothers.
Once you mix a fresh tomato with rotten tomatoes, it will not take long
for it to rot.
Commonly committed fallacies…
7. False Dichotomy / False Dillema / All-or-nothing Fallacy
 This happens when two choices are presented as if they were the only
choices available. If a group of lobbyist, for instance, does not agree
with a government policy, it would not mean that they are not
nationalistic right away.
Ex: I thought you were a good person, but you weren’t at church today.
Ex: Either we go to war, or we appear weak.
Ex: You are either with God or against him.
Commonly committed fallacies…
8. Argumentum ad Baculum
 This fallacy occurs when one appeals to force or the threat of force
instead of reason to cause acceptance of a conclusion.
 Fist, Insult, Stealth/Strategy, Threat.
Ex: Thus, there is ample proof of the truth of the Bible. All those who
refuse to accept that truth will burn in hell.
Ex: After graduating from high school, the parents of Mr. Dhi Masakitin
said, “My son, you take up AB or BS Psychology for we know what is best
for you. If you will not heed our advise, then you will not be going to
college.”
Commonly committed fallacies…
9. Argumentum ad Misericordiam (Special Pleading)
 This fallacy is committed when one appeals to pity instead of a sound
reasoning to gain acceptance of a conclusion.
Ex: A graduating student who failed in all his major examinations came
to see his teacher pleading: “Sir, have pity on me. I am about to
graduate this summer and my parents are expecting me to graduate.
Please give me at least the minimum passing grade because I have
already been in this school for almost seven years, and I want to
graduate this summer.
Commonly committed fallacies…
10.Argumentum ad Ignorantiam
 Whenever it is argued that a proposition is true solely on the basis
that it has not been proved false or that it is false because it has not
been proved true, then argumentum ad ignorantiam is committed.
This fallacy, however, does not apply in a court of law, where one is
generally assumed innocent until proven guilty.
Ex: Of course, the Bible is true. Nobody can prove otherwise.
Ex: Mental telepathy is not true because nobody has shown any proof
that is real.
STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. CHOOSE YOUR
TOPIC CAREFULLY AND WISELY.
FOR IN REAL LIFE, MISTAKES CANNOT BE
UNDONE.

THANK YOU! 

PREPARED BY: TINTIN ARCALAS