SUBJECT CODE: APPLIED 004

SUBJECT TITLE: English for Academic and Professional Purposes

LESSON TITLE: Position Paper

MOST ESSENTIAL EARNING COMPETENCIES (MELCs):

 Defend a stand on an issue by presenting reasonable arguments supported by
properly cited factual evidences; and
 Write various kinds of position papers.

CONTENT/CORE CONTENT: Writing Position Paper

Good Day Learners!

The famous American poet Robert Frost once said, “The middle of the road is where the
line is, and that’s the worst place to drive. “

Frost suggested that there are risks in being neutral, that there are consequences in not
making a stand in issues of concern.

In this lesson, you will need to make a definite position on issues affecting you and our
society. Neutrality or being in the middle will not serve the objectives of this lesson.

Position Paper is defined as detailed policy report that usually explains, justifies, or
recommends a particular course of action.

According to Bernales, et al. (2017), A position paper is an essay that presents an

opinion about an issue - typically that of the author or some specified entity. A position
paper presents an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal of a position paper is to
convince the audience that your opinion is valid and worth listening to. Ideas that you
are considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your
argument, and organizing your paper.

Position papers range from the simplest format of a letter to the editor through to the
most complex form of an academic position paper.
ISSUE CRITERIA

To take a side on a subject, you should first establish an arguable topic that interests
you. Ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you will be able to present a
strong argument:

1. Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and uncertainty?

2. Can you identify at least two distinctive positions?
3. Are you personally interested in advocating one of these positions?
4. Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be manageable?

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD POSITION PAPER

1. In the author’s own words. Plagiarism is intentionally or unintentionally

representing somebody else’s ideas as one’s own.

2. Clear purpose. Your readers should always have a clear understanding of what
you’re going to do in your paper.

3. Well organized. Your paper as a whole, and each part of your paper, should work to
fulfill its purpose.

4. Coherent. Your paper should flow nicely from one point to another. Avoid sudden
jerk. Use smooth transitions.

5. Clear. Make sure that you really understand what you’re saying and that an average
member of your audience could be expected to understand it, too.

6. Complete. Think slowly. Don’t jump to conclusions. Flesh out all ideas and
arguments in sufficient detail and ensure that you adequately defend claims that
need defending.

7. Focused. Try not to include irrelevant or inessential material, unrelated to the

attainment of the paper’s purpose.

8. Substantively correct. Attribute positions to the right person and represent those
positions correctly.

9. Mechanically correct. Adhere to the rules of style and usage.

10. Creative. Ideally, ask new questions, answer old questions in new ways, see new
things, see old things in new ways, or make an original point.
WHY A POSITION PAPER IS WRITTEN

Gabelo, et al. (2016) identified several reasons why a position paper is written.

1. To organize and outline one’s viewpoint on an issue.

To formally inform others of one’s position as a
2.
foundation to build resolution to difficult problems.
To present a unique, though biased, solution or a
3.
unique approach to solving a problem.
To frame the discussion in order to define the playing
field. This can put one in an advantageous position
4. with those who may not be so well prepared as
regards the issues and the research behind their
position.
To establish one’s credibility. In writing a position
paper, one is able to demonstrate that he has a
5.
command of the issues and the research behind
them, and can present them clearly.
To let one’s passion be demonstrated in the force of
6. his argument, rather than in the use of emotional
terms, and/or
To guide one in being consistent in maintaining his
7.
position in negotiation.

HOW TO WRITE A POSITION PAPER

According to Fleming (2017), in writing a position paper, your charge is to choose a side
on a particular controversial topic and build up a case for your opinion or position.

Once you state your position, you will use facts, opinion, statistics, and other forms of
evidence to convince your reader that your position is the best one.

As you collect research for your position paper and begin to craft an outline, you must
remember that your teacher will be looking for a well-constructed argument.

This means that the subject matter and your topic is not as important as your ability to
make a case. Your topic could be simple or complex, but your argument must be sound
and logical (Fleming, 2017).
 Following are the steps in writing your own position paper:

STEP 6. Summarize your argument and restate your position.

Get attitude. When you write a position paper, you should write with confidence.
In this paper you want to state your opinion with authority.

STEP 5. Create an outline.

Your position paper might be arranged in a format .

STEP 4. Continue to collect supporting evidence.

Once you’ve determined that your position is supportable and the opposite position is
weaker than your own, you are ready to branch out with your research.

STEP 3. Challenge your own topic.

You must know the opposite view as well to determine all the possible challenges that you
might face as you support your view.

STEP 2. Conduct preliminary research.

Preliminary research is necessary to determine whether evidence is available to back up your

stance.

STEP 1. Select a topic for your paper.

Your position paper is going to center around a personal belief that is supported by research, so you
have an opportunity to tap into your own strong feelings in this assignment.
OUTLINE OF A POSITION PAPER

Fleming (2017) suggests that you arrange your position paper in the following format:

I. Introduce your topic with a little background information. Build up to your

thesis sentence, which asserts your position.
A. Sample points
1. There is now a call for government to require warning labels
to be placed on certain products that pose a threat to the
public.
2. Fast food restaurants are bad for your health.
3. Fast food packages should contain warning labels
II. List possible objections to your position.
A. Sample points
1. Such labels would affect profits of major corporations.
2. Many people would see this as overreaching government
control.
3. The program would be costly.
III. Support and acknowledge opposing points.
A. Sample points
1. It would be difficult and expensive for any entity to determine
which restaurants should adhere to the policy.
2. Nobody wants to see the government overstepping its
boundaries.
3. Funding would fall onto the shoulders of taxpayers.
IV. Explain that your position is still the best one, despite the strength of counter
arguments.
A. Sample points
1. The cost would be countered by the improvement of public
health.
2. Restaurants might improve the standards of food if warning
labels were put into place.
3. One role of the government is to keep citizens safe.
4. The government already does this with drugs and cigarettes
References:

Bernales, R.A, Biligan, R.J.G., & Aldaca, V.A.T. (2018) English for Academic and
Professional Purposes: A Work-Text for Senior High School, pp 21-24. Malabon
City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.