GUIGUINTO NATIONAL VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

SECOND QUARTER
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
September 9-13, 2019
I. Objectives
A. Defining a Position paper
B. Identifying situations for Position paper writing
C. Gathering and Analyzing arguments
D. Defending a stand on an issue
E. Writing various kinds of position paper
Basic Features of a Position Paper
a. The issue should be debatable.
b. The issue should be current and relevant.
c. In-depth research on the issue.
d. Analyze various positions objectively.
e. Cite valid and reliable sources.
f. Arrange evidences logically.

Parts of Position Paper

A. Introduction – Start with a topic sentence that attracts attention and summarizes the issue
and inform the reader of your point of view.
 Provide your audience with background information on your topic, including the
history and recent developments. 
 You should include information that is relevant for your stance, which will narrow
what you tell the reader. 
 For example, if you are writing a paper about gay marriage in Maine, you would only
include background information relevant to that state.
 Start with a hook that introduces your topic. For example, you could provide a
statistic of how many children are injured on old playground equipment every
year.
 Include a few sentences that provide more information on your topic,
narrowing down toward your stance.
 End your introduction with your thesis.

B. Body – Focus on three main points:

 General statement of the position
 States your main arguments and provide sufficient evidence for each argument
1. Statistics
2. Interview with experts
3. Testimonies
4. Facts
5. Quotes
6. Documented Stories
 Elaboration that references documents and source data.
 Past experiences and authoritative testimony

C. Conclusion – Summarize, then conclude your argument

 Restates your position and main arguments – Just stress the importance of your ideas.
Don’t just repeat the key ideas and reword the introduction.
 Suggest a course of action
 Explain why your position is better than any other position.
 Ends with a powerful closing statement – you may use a quotation, challenge, or
question.)
 Ex.: Ultimately, using tablets over textbooks is a smart strategy for schools. Even
though tablets can become a distraction, they also have the potential to increase
standardized tests scores, save schools money, and relieve students of the burdens of
heavy backpacks. With so many advantages, tablets should replace textbooks in the
classroom.
Source: https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/this-position-paper-outline-
will-help-you-get-started/