ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

WORKSHEET – WEEK 2

Name: ___________________________________________________ Section: ________________

Week 2 Target Learning Competency:

At the end of the week, you should be able to write various kinds of position papers.

A. Read and analyze the following text.

WRITING A POSITION PAPER

A position paper is a composition that highlights an opinion of an author or specified entity about an issue.
As a debate, it presents one side of an arguable opinion and persuades the readers or audience that the author
has a well-founded knowledge about the issue.
In writing the position paper, your goal as a writer is not only to state and defend your position on the
issue but also to show how your stance relates to other position. Do remember that arguments should be supported
with reasons and evidence.

Here are the components of a position paper.

1. The Introduction identifies the issue that will be discussed and states the author’s position on that issue.
A. Introduce your topic with background information.
B. Build up your thesis statement which asserts your position.
• Fast food restaurants are bad for our health.
• Fast food packages should contain warning labels.

2. The Body contains the central argument and can be further broken up into sections:
A. Possible objections to your position (counter argument)
• Whose job is it to determine which restaurants are bad?
• Such labels would affect the profits of major corporations.
B. A discussion of both sides of the issue, which addresses and refutes arguments that contradict the author’s
position (your argument)
• It would be difficult and expensive for any entity to determine which restaurants should adhere to the policy.
• Nobody wants to see the government overstepping its boundaries.

C. Explain that your position is still the best one, despite the strength of counter-arguments. This is where you can
work to discredit some of the counter-arguments and support your own.
• Restaurants might improve the standards of food if warning labels were put into place.
• The role of the government is to keep citizens safe.

3. Conclusion is the restatement of the key points. When applicable, suggest resolution to the issue.
A. Restate your position.
B. Provide plan of action.

Source: Reading and Writing Skills Quarter 4 Module 8, DepEd Region IV-A (2020)

LODLOD INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Lodlod, Lipa City
Tel No.: (043) 757-2913
Email add: lodlodnhs@gmail.com
B. Answer the question below and provide three reasons supporting your answer. Then, cite evidence that will
solidify your arguments.

Question: Is it wrong for citizens to criticize its own government?

Your answer: ______________________________________

Reason 1: ____________________________________________________________________________
Evidence: ____________________________________________________________________________

Reason 2: ____________________________________________________________________________
Evidence: ____________________________________________________________________________

Reason 3: ____________________________________________________________________________
Evidence: ____________________________________________________________________________

C. On a short bond paper, write a position paper discussing your stand regarding the act of many Filipino citizens
who are criticizing the government. Use the arguments that you were able to come up in the previous activity. Do
not forget to include all the parts of a position paper: introduction, body, and conclusion. Be guided with the rubric
below.

RUBRIC FOR CHECKING 5 4 3 2 1

The introduction effectively grabs the attention of the readers.
The position paper has a clear and well-stated stand (thesis statement) on the given issue.
At least three arguments are provided in the essay.
There is a minimum of three evidence cited in the position paper.
The conclusion leaves a strong impact on the reader.
Overall, the position paper is persuasive and convincing.
There is a smooth transition from one paragraph to another
There are 0-3 grammatical errors found in the essay.
The capitalization, spelling, and punctuations are correct.
The position paper is free from erasures.
TOTAL

LODLOD INTEGRATED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Lodlod, Lipa City
Tel No.: (043) 757-2913
Email add: lodlodnhs@gmail.com