Position Paper

Position Paper

• Presents the writer’s stand or viewpoint on a

particular issue; reflects one’s point of view.
Entails outlining arguments and
proposing the course of action.

essential tool in bringing about

SOCIETAL CHANGE
Parts of a Position Paper
I. INTRODUCTION
• Presents the issue while grabbing the
attention of readers.
• Defines the issue and discusses its
background.
• Provides a general statement of your
position via your thesis statement.
Parts of a Position Paper
II. BODY
• Strengthen main arguments.
• Provides sufficient evidence for each
argument such as statistical data,
interviews with experts, and
testimonies.
• Provide counterarguments against
possible weaknesses of your
arguments.
Parts of a Position Paper
III. CONCLUSION
• Restate your position and main
arguments.
• Suggest a course of action.
• State what makes your position
superior and more acceptable.
Guidelines in Writing a Position
Paper
• Choose an issue. When choosing an
issue, keep in mind:
– the issue should be debatable.
– the issue should be current and
relevant.
– the issue should be written in
question form, answerable by yes
or no.
Guidelines in Writing a Position
Paper
• Conduct in-depth research on the
issue.
• Be aware of the various positions
about the issue and explain and
analyze them objectively.
• Define unfamiliar terms when you first
mention them.
• Limit your position paper to two
pages.
Guidelines in Writing a Position
Paper
• Use an active voice as much as
possible to achieve dynamic and firm
tone.
• Analyze your target readers and align
your arguments to their beliefs,
needs, interests, and motivations.
Guidelines in Writing a Position
Paper
• Arrange evidence logically.
– Inductive Approach discusses
specific information first and then
look for patterns to create a general
conclusion
– Deductive Approach takes
something general and then branch
out and think of specific things that
could apply to it.
Guidelines in Writing a Position
Paper
• Check for fallacies and eliminate them.
• Use ethical, logical, and emotional
appeal.
– Ethical relates to your credibility and
competence as a writer.
– Logical refers to a rational approach in
developing an argument.
– Emotional uses arguments in a way
that evokes feelings.