Lesson 4.

0: Writing a Position Paper

What’s New

Write your stand as you take sides on this controversial topic.

1. ―This time, Senator Cyntia Villar had something to say to medical workers, who
have been pleading for a two-week ―timeout‖ due to the still-rising infections in
the metropolis: "Hindi na siguro. Pagbutihin nila trabaho nila."[Translation: Perhaps
there's no need. They should just do their jobs better.]Villar's comment in a radio
interview on Saturday, August 01, 2020.‖ (Glee Jalea, CNN Philippines)

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What is it

Definition of a Position Paper

A Position Paper is a composition in which the writer takes a side on a particular

controversial topic and defends his side by presenting supports in the form of facts,
statistics, and other evidence to convince the reader to take his position.

The following steps are undertaken by a writer of a position paper.

1. Selecting a topic. Your position paper must focus on a topic supported by

research. Choose a topic that interests you.
2. Conducting Preliminary Research. Preliminary research is done to determine
the availability of supporting materials to back up your stance. If there are no
materials available or if materials found are too limited to help your defend your
position, the best thing to do is to change your topic
3. Challenging Your Own Topic. Try thinking of arguments opposed to your views. If
you challenge your topic, chances are you will know whether or not you stand
the chance to defend your stance convincingly such as that the reader will
favor your opinion.
4. Collecting Additional Supporting Evidence. Knowing your position can face
up to challenges from opposing positions, you are still uncertain about the
strength of your position. It is important to gather more evidence from various
sources (particularly primary sources such as experts or authorities in the field) to
further strengthen your position. Include personal experiences to make your
position emotionally appealing.
5. Creating an outline. A position paper may follow the format below.
5.1. Introduction- contains a little background information and the thesis
statement.
b. For decades, the FDA has required that warning labels should be placed
on certain products that pose a threat to public health.
c. Fast food restaurants are bad for our health.
d. Fast food packages should contain warning labels.
5.2. Possible objections to your position
a. Such labels would affect profits of major corporations.
b. Many people would see this as overreaching government control.
c. Whose job is it to determine which restaurants are bad? Who draws
the line?
d. The program would be costly.
5.3. Support and acknowledgement of the opposing points
 a. It would be difficult and expensive for any entity to determine which
restaurants should adhere to the policy.
b. Nobody wants to see the government over- stepping to the policy.
c. Funding would fall on the shoulders of taxpayers.
5.4. Explanation citing that your position is still the best one despite the
strength of counter arguments
a. The cost would be countered through the improvement of public
health.
b. Restaurants might improve the standards of food if warning labels
were put into place.
c. One role of the government is to keep citizens safe.
d. The government already does this with drugs and cigarettes.
5.5. Summary of your arguments and restatement of your position.
a. Having the attitude. A position paper must be written with confidence,
with assertiveness. It must state your point clearly and must contain
evidence support your point.

(Source: https://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/How-
To-Write-A-Position-Paper.html)

Uses of Position Papers

Position papers are written to achieve a number of purposes, which include but
not limited to the following:

1. Political- adherence and non-adherence to a political party, government

program, etc.
2. Artistic- creation or abolition of an artistic movement.
3. Scientific- acceptance and non- acceptance of a scientific theory.
4. Educational- conformity or non- conformity with educational reforms.
5. Religious- conversion to or departure from religious sects.
6. Professional- commitment or non-commitment to professional organizations.
7. Technology- application or non- application of technological breakthrough.
8. Business- patronage or boycott of business products and establishments.
(Note: the above list is just the common objectives of a position paper and it
is not complete)

Manifesto and Argumentative Essays:

A manifesto is a published verbal declaration of the intentions, motives, or views

issued by an individual, group, political party, or government. It usually accepts a
previously published opinion or consensus and/ or promotes a new idea with
prescriptive notions for carrying out changes the author believes should be made.
Often artistic or political in nature, it may present an individual’s position regarding life in
general. A manifesto which relates to a religious belief is referred to as a creed.

Persuasive or Argumentative Essays

Persuasive or argumentative essays are writings that convince (make readers

take the writer’s point of view) and actuate (make readers take a certain action). A
persuasive essay has the following parts:

1. Introduction- gives an overview of the thesis of an essay.

2. Body- discusses the pros (views in favour of) cons (views against)
the thesis statement; for example, the first paragraph/s of the
body might address the benefits of your position; the middle
paragraph/s of the body might address the limitations of a
counter position and the last paragraph/s of the body might offer
a compromise position between your position and the counter
position.
3. Conclusion- summarizes the state of the issue and restates the
thesis.

Position papers are classified according to the purpose they serve. Thus, the list under
that uses of position papers is the same list for the classification of position papers.

Notwithstanding the kind of position paper you are going to do, the online website
STUDY GUIDES AND STRATEGIES offers the following guidelines in writing position papers.

1. Format should be consistent with the guidelines determined by the

sponsoring organization or committee.
2. Include topic, date, purpose, etc., and should readily identify you as the author.
3. If the paper represents a group, organization, committee, do not write in the
first person (not I, my, mine, etc. but rather we, our, etc.
4. Limit yourself to two pages following the format established by previous
successful position papers.

Research Guidelines:

1. Develop supporting evidence for both sides including factual knowledge,

statistical evidence, and authoritative testimony.
2. Identify the issues and prejudices keeping in mind your audience. List these
as appropriate and anticipate counter claims.
3. Assume familiarity with basic concepts, but define unfamiliar terms/ concepts or
state meanings that define your point of departure.
4. Refer to those who agree with your position to assist in developing
your argument.
 5. Familiarize yourself with those who disagree with you to prepare your
defense. Summarize their argumenta and evidence, then refute.

Writing Guidelines

Introduction

Consider your audience. Start with a topic sentence or two that attracts
attention and summarizes the issue. Inform the reader of your point of view.

Body

Focus on three main points to develop. Each topic is developed with:

1. A general statement of the position

2. An elaboration that references documents and source data.
3. Past experiences and authoritative testimony
4. Conclusion restating the position
Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph
1. Keep your voice active
2. Quote sources to establish authority
3. Stay focused on your point of view throughout the essay
4. Focus on logical arguments
5. Don’t lapse into summary in the development —wait for the conclusion.

Conclusion

1. Summarize, and then conclude your argument.

2. Refer to the first paragraph / opening statements as well as the main points:
a. Does the conclusion restate the main ideas?
b. Reflect on the succession and importance of the arguments
c. Logically conclude your development
3. Share a draft with others to better develop the paper and ensure that your
argument is clear.
4. Revise, spell-check, and succeed in building your case.