Name:__________________________________ Section:______________ Date:______________

POSITION PAPER HANDOUT:

When Music Offends
Position Paper Topic: Should CDs that might offend people carry warning labels?

Procedure: 1. Think about the topic. Imagine that a CD contains violent lyrics. Read each of the
following points of view. Which ones do you agree or disagree with? Circle your response.

VIEWS MY REPONSE
The artist: I should be able to express my ideas
in my own words. It isn’t fair to label my work as I Agree I Disagree
‘dangerous.’
Some parents: I don’t want my child to be
exposed to violence. Labels help me know which I Agree I Disagree
CDs my child should listen to.
Some kids: I should be allowed to make my own
choices about what I want to listen to. Labels I Agree I Disagree
aren’t necessary.
Some store owners: Some people get angry if I
sell violent CDs without labels. I think labels are
I Agree I Disagree
probably needed, but I won’t sell anything with a
warning label in my shop.

2. Choose your position. Are warning labels necessary? You must choose to write your paper from one
of the following perspectives: Circle one

A music artist A store owner A parent

Then, considering that person’s roles and responsibilities, select a position on the issue. Check one
________ Pro: I feel that CDs that might offend people should carry warning labels.
________ Con: I feel that CDs that might offend people should not carry warning labels.

3. Plan your paper. Complete the following graphic organizer in order to plan your five paragraphs.

Introduction (Thesis statement and position)

1
 Body Paragraph 1 (1st reason)

Body Paragraph 2 (2nd reason)

Body Paragraph 3 (3rd reason)

Conclusion (Thesis restatement and body summation)

Sample Graphic Organizer: A Store Owner’s Perspective

Introduction (Thesis statement and position)

As the owner of a music store, I believe that CDs should not carry the “Parental Advisory: Explicit
Lyrics” label.

Body Paragraph 1 (1st reason)

2
Labeling CDs may upset artists and ruin our rapport. Artists are needed for in-store appearances.

Body Paragraph 2 (2nd reason)

Parents should be responsible for what their children are listening to.

Body Paragraph 3 (3rd reason)

I believe that these warning labels inhibit people’s voices from being heard thus negating the ‘freedom
of speech’ portion of the first amendment.

Conclusion (Thesis restatement and body summation)

I’m sure that you can now see how, as a music store proprietor, I must oppose the posting of warning
labels on CDs.

Name:__________________________________ Section:______________ Date:______________

PERFORMANEC TASK
Procedure: 1. Think about the topic. Fill out the following possible POINT OF VIEWS. Circle your
response.

VIEWS MY REPONSE
The student:
I Agree I Disagree

Some parents: I Agree I Disagree

3
Some teachers:
I Agree I Disagree

DepEd administrators:
I Agree I Disagree

2. Choose your position. Should K-12 be CONTINUED or ABOLISHED? You must choose to write
your paper from one of the following perspectives: Circle one
The student Some parents Some teachers DepEd administrators

Then, considering that person’s roles and responsibilities, select a position on the issue. Check one
________ Pro: I feel that K-12 Curriculum must be continued.
________ Con: I feel that K-12 Curriculum must be abolished.

3. Plan your paper. Complete the following graphic organizer in order to plan your five paragraphs.
REFER to the rubric and the text by Philippine Daily Inquirer: DepEd will review K-12 curriculum.

Introduction (Thesis statement and position)

Body Paragraph 1 (1st reason)

Body Paragraph 2 (2nd reason)

4
 Body Paragraph 3 (3rd reason)

Conclusion (Thesis restatement and body summation)