English for Academic

and Professional
Purposes

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English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Quarter 4 – Self-Learning Module 1: Position Paper, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education - Schools Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

Writer: Ryan S. Tamayao
Editor: Julius Cezar D. Napallatan
Reviewers: Julius Cezar D. Napallatan, Joselito E. Calios, and Rowena D. Roxas
Illustrator:
Layout Artist:
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Carolina T. Rivera, CESE
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Manuel A. Laguerta EdD
Chief Curriculum Implementation Division
Victor M. Javena, EdD
Chief - School Governance and Operations Division

Education Program Supervisors

Librada L. Agon EdD (EPP/TLE/TVL/TVE)

Liza A. Alvarez (Science/STEM/SSP)
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Joselito E. Calios (English/SPFL/GAS)
Norlyn D. Conde EdD (MAPEH/SPA/SPS/HOPE/A&D/Sports)
Wilma Q. Del Rosario (LRMS/ADM)
Ma. Teresita E. Herrera EdD (Filipino/GAS/Piling Larang)
Perlita M. Ignacio PhD (EsP)
Dulce O. Santos PhD (Kindergarten/MTB-MLE)
Teresita P. Tagulao EdD (Mathematics/ABM)

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – Schools Division of

Pasig City

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English for Academic
and Professional
Purposes

Quarter 4
Self-Learning Module 1
Position Paper

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Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the English for Academic and Professional Purposes Self-Learning

Module on Position Paper!

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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 For the Learner:

Welcome to the English for Academic and Professional Purposes Self-Learning

Module on Position Paper!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.

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 EXPECTATIONS

This is your self-instructional learner module in EAPP. All the activities

provided in this lesson will help you learn and understand: Position Paper.

Specifically, you will learn about the following:

1. Define position paper;

2. familiarize the guidelines in writing the position paper; and
3. write a text applying the guidelines in writing the position paper.

PRETEST

TRUE or FALSE

Read and analyze the following statements carefully. Write T if the statement
is TRUE and F if the statement is FALSE on the space before the number.

_____1. A convincing position paper assesses conflicting opinions or opposing

views on the issue.
_____2. Position paper expresses or deals with facts or conditions as perceived with
distortion, personal feelings, prejudices and interpretations.
_____3. In a mode of reasoning, deductive reasoning derives a generalization from
specific examples and situations.
_____4. To balance the assignments of conflicting ideas, a writer should use
language, shift from the opposing argument to supporting argument, and
express both the arguments and the counter arguments.
_____5. Position paper is an essay that presents an opinion, makes a claim about
an issue, and a stand supported by arguments and evidences.

RECAP

In a nutshell, position paper is a formal statement of position on an issue of

social importance. Hence, it is done through research and careful planning. Also, it
is used as a foundation for proposing unique solutions or approaches to problems or
issues in society.

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 LESSON

Give a sentential level stand on each of the following societal issues.

Homeschooling is effective
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Modern teens are too much reliant on Information Technologies

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Academic qualification ensures success in life

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Position Paper

An essay that presents an opinion, makes a claim about an issue and a stand
supported by arguments and evidences.

Position papers are formal statements of position on an issue of social

importance. The preparation of a position paper is a very formal act and must be
done with careful planning and research. Though closely related to an opinion paper,
a position paper does not attempt to persuade others to the side of the writer to the
extent that an opinion paper does. Through the position paper, you announce to the
world your position on a particular issue or difficult problem as the foundation for
proposing solutions to the issue or problem. The solution should be unique or
present a unique approach to or understanding of the issue or problem.

Guidelines for Writing the Position Paper

I. Values Communicated

a. Logical Thinking
Process of using a rational, systematic series of steps based on sound
mathematical procedures and given statements to arrive at a conclusion.
Logical Thinker:
• Observes
• Analyzes phenomenon, reactions and feedback
• Draws conclusions based on input
• Justifies strategies, actions, and decisions based on facts gathered

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 b. Objective Expression of Ideas
Expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without:
• Distortion
• Personal Feelings
• Prejudices
• Interpretations

c. Balanced Assignments of Conflicting Ideas

• Use of language
• Shifting from the opposing argument to supporting argument
• Expressing both the arguments and the counter arguments

II. Modes of Reasoning

a. Inductive
Inductive reasoning derives a generalization from specific examples and
situations. Through an organized presentation of factual evidence and
proofs, the reader is convinced of the soundness of the arguments that
lead to a well-founded general conclusion.

b. Deductive
Deductive reasoning proceeds from a general statement that leads to
particular or specific references.

III. Qualities of a Convincing Position Paper

• Contains a clear proposition or statement that must be defended.
• Assesses conflicting opinions or opposing views on the issue
• Takes a firm stand on the issue
• Lists arguments in an organized manner to defend the stand
• Presents factual evidence of proofs to support argument

Tips for Writing a Good Position Paper

• Use simple language
• Give each separate idea its own paragraph
• Make sure each paragraph starts with a topic sentence
• Constantly proofread for mistakes
• Cite your sources

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Guided Practice

In each of the following situations you are tasked to read and answer a few
questions regarding the guidelines and tips for writing the position paper.

Situation 1

Your teacher in EAPP asked your class to read the article on, “Modern Teens
Too Much Reliant on Information Technologies” and you have noticed that the factual
evidences were organized from specific examples to general conclusion.

What guideline of writing a position paper was evident in the scenario?

It is inductive reasoning under modes of reasoning. This derives a

generalization from specific examples and situations.

Situation 2

A certain organization stated on the headlines, “In this time of pandemic,

online learning becomes more common, some people have suggested that schools
should be shut down and learners should be given laptops/tablets and internet
connection”.

What guideline of writing a position paper was evident in the scenario?

It is a clear proposition or statement that must be defended under qualities of a

convincing position paper. The proposition is “schools should be shut down and
learners should be given laptops/tablets and internet connection”.

Situation 3

During the election of SSG Officers, the two students running for president
were asked: “Should late students be accepted to attend the class?” To this, they
have expressed their arguments and their counter arguments.

What guideline of writing a position paper was evident in the scenario?

It is expressing both the arguments and the counter arguments under values
communicated in balanced assignments of conflicting ideas.

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 ACTIVITIES

Activity 1

Identification

Identify the guidelines of writing a position paper based on the given statements.
Write the letter of your answer on the blank before the number.

A. Logical thinking
B. Objective expression of ideas
C. Balanced assignments of conflicting ideas
D. Inductive reasoning
E. Deductive reasoning

_____1. The organization of factual evidence and proofs are derived from
specific examples and details to general conclusion.

_____2. The writer used a rational, systematic series of steps based on sound
mathematical procedures and given statements to arrive at a
conclusion.

_____3. The opposing argument was shifted to supporting argument.

_____4. The information proceeds from a general statement that leads to

particular or specific references.

_____5. The facts or conditions of the position paper were perceived by the
reader with the absence of prejudices and distortion.

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 Activity 2

Multiple Matching

Match the problem to its solution in specific guidelines under category A and
its solution in general guidelines under category B. Write your answer on the
space before the number.
Example: 1. C-III

Category A Category B
Answer Problem
Solution Solution
Specific Guidelines General Guidelines
________ 1. The position paper A. Logical I. Values
contains emotive thinking Communicated
language.
________ B. Objective II. Modes of
2. The reader was not expression of Reasoning
convinced from the article ideas
because it only proceeds III. Qualities of a
from general statement. C. Balanced Convincing
________ assignments of Position Paper
3. It has been said that conflicting
majority of the words ideas
used were hifalutin and
_______ technical. D. Take a firm
stand on the
4. The writer used hedge issue
________ words in his stand about
the issue. E. Inductive

5. The results did not F. Deductive

reflect from the input.

Activity 3

Write 450 to 600 word-paragraph considering the guidelines for writing the
position paper.

Guidelines in Writing Writing Activity

Position Paper
*Define position paper
(Based from your _____________________________________________________
understanding) _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

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I. Values Communicated
A. Logical Thinking
Observe, analyze
phenomenon, reactions
and feedback
(Identify current societal
issues)
Draw conclusions based
on input
(Your stand)
Justify strategies, actions,
and decisions based on
facts gathered
B. Objective
Expression of Ideas
Expressing or dealing with
facts or conditions as
perceived without:
Distortion, personal,
feelings, prejudices and
interpretations
C. Balanced
Assignments of
Conflicting Ideas
• Use of language
• Shifting from the
opposing argument
to supporting
argument
• Expressing both the
arguments and the
counter arguments
II. Modes of Reasoning
A. Inductive
reasoning
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
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 B. Deductive _____________________________________________________
reasoning _____________________________________________________
(Choose one reasoning) _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
III. Qualities of a _____________________________________________________
Convincing Position _____________________________________________________
Paper _____________________________________________________
• Contains a clear _____________________________________________________
proposition or _____________________________________________________
statement that must _____________________________________________________
be defended. _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
• Assesses conflicting
_____________________________________________________
opinions or
_____________________________________________________
opposing views on
_____________________________________________________
the issue
_____________________________________________________
• Takes a firm stand
on the issue
• Lists arguments in
an organized
manner to defend
the stand
• Presents factual
evidence of proofs to
support argument

RUBRIC 10 7 4 1
Position Applied all the 8-12 of writing 3-7 of writing 2 and below
paper position paper guidelines in guidelines in of writing
writing writing guidelines position paper position paper guidelines in
guidelines were used were used position
paper were
used
Grammar, No errors in Few errors in A number of So many
usage and spelling, spelling, errors in errors in
mechanics punctuation and punctuation spelling, spelling,
grammar and grammar punctuation punctuation
and grammar and grammar
Length 450 words Under the Under the Under the
minimum minimum or minimum or minimum or
600 words over the over the over the
maximum maximum by maximum by maximum by
15 words 25 words more than 50
words

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 WRAP-UP

Complete the semantic map about the guidelines and tips in writing position paper.
I.________________________________________________________

A. _______________________________________________________

B.________________________________________________________

C.________________________________________________________

Write 1 sentence about the tips for writing a good

II.________________________________________________________
position paper.
Guidelines
and tips in A. _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________ Position
_________________________________________________ paper B.________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

III._______________________________________________________

Write 1 sentence about what is under III as guidelines.

__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

VALUING

Complete the Bible verse by using the clues and choices from the box.

darkness light peace compassion heaven

“Because of our God’s deep (sympathetic) _______, the dawn from (paradise)
_______will break upon us, to give (absence of dark) _______ to those who are sitting
in (absence of light) _______ and in the shadow of death, to guide us on the path of
(tranquility) _______.” Luke I:78-79

POSTTEST

Choose the words/phrases that will correct the underlined words/phrases of the
following sentences considering the guidelines in writing position paper. Write the
letter of your answer on the space before the number.

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_____ 1. It was believed by Dr. Leo Wisebonder, psychologist for the Los Angeles Unified
School Program, “Children learn many things outside of school. It’s a different
type of learning, which simply is not tested.
A. In conclusion B. It seems that C. According to
D. It tends to be that
_____ 2. In my opinion, learners would not be able to attend face-to-face learning and
would miss interests that are taught in schools.
A. Furthermore B. As I believed C. I disagree
D. I beg to disagree
_____ 3. It tends that there should not be assignment given to learners because they
are already bombarded with activities.
A. It seems that there must not be B. There should not be
C. It was believed that there should not be D. There should be
_____ 4. According to a study, a combination of exercise and a spartan diet is a decent
way to reduce atherosclerosis.
A. Coronary-artery disease B. Arteriosclerosis
C. Arterial sclerosis D. Arterial
_____ 5. Through an organized presentation of factual evidence and proofs, the reader
is convinced of the soundness of the arguments that lead to a well-founded
overall conclusion.
A. results B. outcomes C. conclusion
D. general conclusion

KEY TO CORRECTION

D 5. A-I 5. B 5. T 5.
A 4. may vary. D-III 4. E 4. T 4.
B 3. answers C-I 3. C 3. F 3.
A 2. Learner’s F-II 2. A 2. F 2.
C 1. B-I 1. D 1. T 1.

Posttest Activity 3 Activity 2 Activity 1 Pretest

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 References

“Establishing Your Position: Writing a Position Paper.” Essay, Term Paper Writing
Service. Accessed August 13, 2020.
https://www.genuinewriting.com/position_paper.html.
Condina, Leah. “Position Paper q2.” SlideShare, August 19, 2019.
https://www.slideshare.net/LeahCondina1/position-paper-
q2?fbclid=IwAR3x5jzSPDe_KDvsx10F_f9WtJ0k2660hiWUEQrbu8ow8q4D-GRtaQ7-
vZI.

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