LESSON 2 – FINALS

WRITING A
POSITION PAPER
OBJECTIVES
CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIA-D-1 CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIA-D-4
defines what a position defends a stand on an issue by
paper is presenting reasonable arguments
supported by properly cited factual
CS_EN11/12A-EAPP- IIA-D-2 evidences
identifies situations in which
a position paper may be CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIA-D-5
effectively used in our present writes various kinds of
society position papers
CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIA-D-3
gathers manifestoes and
analyzes the arguments
used by the writer/s

2
WHAT IS A
POSITION
PAPER?

20XX Pitch deck title 3

POSITION PAPER
❑ an essay that expresses a position about an issue. It presents
the writer’s stand or viewpoint on a particular issue.
❑ Its goal is to convince an audience that the opinion raised
underwent thorough investigation and data collection and that
is therefore valid.
❑ Writing a position paper entails outlining arguments and
proposing the course of action; by doing so, you are already
taking part in a larger debate.
❑ Aside from this, you have the power to change the opinions
and attitude of others when you write a position paper.
Because of this a position paper can be essential tool in
bringing about social change.
❑ For example, if you do not agree with a certain issue or rule,
you can write a position paper to reflect your view.

4
POSITION PAPER
VS
OTHER ACADEMIC
PAPER

5
 Reaction Paper Position Paper
Reaction papers are opinion
Position papers are
papers.
supported by reasonable
The opinion presented can,
preponderance of empirical
on occasion, be supported by
evidence.
empirical evidence, though
Conclusions drawn in the
more often the opinion is
paper are dictated by the
supported not by empirical
evidence, though the
evidence, but by intellectual
interpretation of the evidence
logic and emotional
may be skewed by the
engagement.
personal agenda of the writer.
6
 Concept Paper Position Paper
• Subjective, because you
basically make a stand
• Objective • The discussion of the
• The discussion of the topic may only deal
topic is almost complete with the stand the
writer is trying to
defend.

7
 Report Survey Position Paper
• It follows a strict
• Its format is flexible.
outline and must be
• The discussion of the
created with a high level
topic may only deal
of professionalism.
with the stand the
• The discussion of the
writer is trying to
topic may delve on
defend.
almost all parts of it.

8
 PARTS OF A POSITION
PAPER
INTRODUCTION BODY CONCLUSION
-Start with an -State you main -Restate your position
introduction which arguments. and main arguments.
present the issue -Provide sufficient -Suggest course of
while grabbing the evidence for each action.
attention of the argument such as -State what makes
readers. data, interviews your position superior
-Define the issue with ex-perts, and and more acceptable.
and discuss its testimonies. -End with a powerful
background. -Provide counter closing statement such
-Provide a general arguments against as a quotation, a
statement of your the possible challenge, or a
position via your weaknesses of your question
thesis statement. argu-ments 9
PROCESSES INVOLVED IN WRITING
POSITION PAPER
➢choosing a topic
➢taking a stand
➢developing argument
➢organizing the paper
10
 CHOOSING A TOPIC (ISSUE
CRITERIA)
• establish the arguability of a topic that interests you
• ensure that you will be able to present a strong argument
• Ask yourself the following questions:
– Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and
uncertainty?
– Can you identify at least two distinctive positions?
– Are you personally interested in advocating one of these
positions?
– Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be
manageable?
11
 DEVELOPING AN ARGUMENT

• ensure that your position is well-

supported
• list the pro and con sides of the topic
• examine your ability to support your
counterclaims, along with a list of
supporting evidence for both sides
12
DEVELOPING AN ARGUMENT

13
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

14
CONSIDERING YOUR AUDIENCE AND
DETERMINING YOUR VIEWPOINT
Criteria:
• Is your topic interesting?
• Can you manage the material within the
specifications set by the instructor?
• Does your topic assert something specific, prove
it, and where applicable, propose a plan of action?
• Do you have enough material or proof to support
your opinion? 15
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A
POSITION PAPER
13.Check you argument for fallacies and eliminate them.
Fallacies, or errors in reasoning weaken your argument.
14.Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal. An ethical
appeal relates to your credibility and competence as a
writer; a logical appeal refers
to a rational approach in developing an argument; while
emotional appeal uses arguments in a way that evokes
feelings.
16
ORGANIZATION OF A POSITION
PAPER
I. Introduction
II. Body
A. Counter Argument
B. Your Argument
III. Conclusion
17
 INTRODUCTION

A. Introduce the topic.

B. Provide background on the topic to
explain why it is important.
C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue).
18
 COUNTER ARGUMENT
A. Summarize the counterclaims.
B. Provide supporting information for
counterclaims.
C. Refute the counterclaims.
D. Give evidence for argument. 19
 YOUR ARGUMENT
A. Assert point #1 of your claims
1. Give your educated and informed opinion
2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
B. Assert point #2 of your claims
1. Give your educated and informed opinion
2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
C. Assert point #3 of your claims
1. Give your educated and informed opinion
2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
20
 CONCLUSION
A. Restate your argument/thesis
statement and discuss its implication
B. Provide a plan of action but do not
introduce new information
Remember:
The simplest and most basic conclusion is one that restates the thesis
in different words and then discusses its implications.
21
ACTIVITY #2
Directions: Get one position paper online that
deals with any social issues relevant to Filipinos.
Read each manifesto carefully and analyze the
arguments used by the writer/s. Use the following
format;

You may use the following guide in writing your

analysis.
22
ACTIVITY #2
1. This argument analysis examines the article titled
__________________ (title of the article) written by
____________________(author/s). This article is about
______________________________(briefly summarize the
content of the article in 3 to 5 sentences). Specifically,
this analysis identifies the position of the author/s, their
main arguments, and the evidence supporting these
arguments. __________(Author) makes ________________
(number of claims) and support them with various
pieces of evidences. 23
ACTIVITY #2
2. The first main argument is _________________________(state the
argument in your own words). To support this argument, the
author uses ______(number of evidences presented).
__________________________________________________________________
(State all the pieces if evidence presented by the author to
support the first argument).
__________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________(State your
analysis of the argument and evidence presented. When
presenting your analysis, you may use phrases such as “first of
all”, “the author assumes”, and “ the author fails to consider.”)
24
ACTIVITY #2
3. In conclusion, the author
_______________________________(state the author’s
purpose). I agree that____________________________ (state
the arguments of the author with which you agree).
However,________________________________________________
_____(state your major arguments). _____________________
___________________________________________________(Insert
your strong closing statement).

25
THANK YOU