English for Academic and

Professional Purposes (EAPP)

QUARTER 2 – LESSON 1:
What is a Position Paper?

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 LET’S DISCOVER!

Photo Source: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2019-05-14/what-you-should-know-as-a-first-generation-college-student

Congratulations for completing the previous modules! You are now ready for the next step which is
writing position paper. This will help you become objective about the issues that the world is facing this
modern time. Also, this will allow you to share your thoughts and opinions, reasons through factual evidences
and express a stand through writing.
You will learn to critically evaluate issues, use factual evidences and consequently pose convincing
stand through a well-crafted position paper. So, have fun and maximize your speaking potential.

In this module you will be able to:

 Gather manifestos and analyze the arguments used by the writer/s (CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIa-d-3)

Specifically, you are expected to:

 define what a position paper;

 identify situations in which a position paper may be effectively used in the present society; and
 gather manifestos and analyze the arguments used by the writer/s.

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 PRETEST
Before we start with our learning journey, let us answer the following questions to check your prior
knowledge on the topic that will be discussed in this module.

Name:( Pearl Angelah R. Lazareno)______________________________________________ Score: _

Section:( BLESSED DOMINIC)___________________________________________ Date:
(OCTOBER26)
Instructions: Identify the term being described from the statements below. Write T if the statement is true and
write F if otherwise. Write your answers in your notebook.
__T__1. Position Paper reflects series of statements for or against something that involves logic, research
evidence and assertion to make persuasion.
___T_2. As a type of paper, position paper should not only criticize but should also express challenges.
__T__3. A manifesto can be written by anybody regardless of status.
___T__T4. A social issue can be a good subject of an essay.
____T___5. The body of an essay is where evidences are stated to prove a claim.
____T___6. Conclusions in an essay are more detailed than the body.
___T____7. Evidences in an argument add weight to a claim.
____T___8. An emphatic statement at the end of an argument will influence adjudicators / judges in a debate to
merit the speaker’s claim.
___T____9. Gathering of evidences need not be done as long as words are chosen properly to express strong
claim.
____T___10. Thorough investigation about a subject must be observed in any essay.

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 LET’S WARM UP!

Activity 1: “Word Search”

Encircle the terms that pertains to writing a Position Paper. You can go horizontal or diagonal.

A A R G U M E N T L

S M R F G U I L T Y

F T I M M I N L E D

P L A I N N E D E I
Argument
H I N N D R N C K S Stand

A L L I D C K W Z S Evidences
Opinion
L C R U E L T Y P U
Issues
E V I D E N C E S E

D I S C U S S E S S

L O P I N I O N B R

D D W O R M E D E D

E G R E T T I E N L

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 KEY TAKEAWAYS

Position paper- is an essay that expresses a position about an issue. It gives arguments that support the
opinion of the writer based on the facts collected. Its goal is to convince an audience that the opinion raised
underwent thorough investigation and data collection and that it is therefore valid.

Elements of a Position Paper

A. Introduction – this part of the paper identifies an issue that is being discussed by the author
emphasizing his position about the issue. Here, the topic is introduced; background and history of
the issue shall also be discussed.

B. Body of the paper– this part illustrates the central argument which can be presented through a brief
description of the argument. Details, point of view, evidences are used to support the claim. It can
be divided into these sections namely: background information, evidence supporting the author’s
position, and a discussion which addresses and refutes arguments that present both sides of the issue.

C. Conclusion – this part restates the main points, then summarizes the arguments made in the paper
and then provides a call of action.

Position papers are utilized to present an issue and to generate a support on the issue. Therefore,
gathering factual information to support your argument would be very essential.

What about Manifesto as a form of writing?

Manifesto is a document publicly declaring the position or program of its issuer. A manifesto advances
a set of ideas, opinions, or views, but it can also lay out a plan of action. While it can address any topic, it most
often concerns art, literature, or politics. Manifestos are generally written in the name of a group sharing a
common perspective, ideology, or purpose rather than in the name of a single individual.

It combines a sometimes violent societal critique with an inaugural and inspirational declaration of
change. Although manifestos can claim to speak for the majority, they are often authored by social activists and
usually linked to new ideas(https://www.britannica.com/topic/manifesto).

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 LET’S PRACTICE!
Activity 2: “Enumerate Me”
Read the essay that follows. Examine its basic elements. Tell whether the parts were expressed
according to the standards that you have just learned from the discussion. Write your observations in your
notebook.

Importance of Education? Essay on Education

By: Priyanka Nagrale

Countless words are written daily about the importance of education. Indubitably, education is the only
valuable asset humans can achieve. Human evolution over eons is a result of education both formal and
informal.
Further, education is the sole basis on which future of the human race depends. Our quest for knowledge
is unending and will continue till planet Earth exists.
Everyone speaks about education and its importance. Hence, let us understand what defines education.
Briefly, education means acquiring knowledge.
In broader terms, education means acquiring various skills in diverse fields that are vital to our life and
very existence. These skills can be acquired by classroom training and during course of our life.
Classroom education is generally deemed as formal education. Whatever we learn and imbibe during
our lifespan is informal education.
Furthermore, knowledge and the innate human capability to learn continually distinguish us from other
living creatures that inhabit this planet.
https://surejob.in/importance-of-education.html

Write your observations here:

Observation Observation
(Introduction) (Body)

Observation
(Conclusion)

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Activity 2: “Enumerate Me Again”

Copy and answer the following sample manifestos made by students. Read and analyze what argument/s
are posted by the writers. List it on the blank lines beside the boxed items.

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 LET’S REFLECT!
Now, let us sum up what you have learned from our lesson by completing the given phrases below.

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 1. Why do you think it is important to familiarize the basic parts of an essay?

2. Now that you have learned how to put basic items into its part, what do you think should you develop
more to be able to write a position paper well in the future?

Teacher’s Notes:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

POSTTEST

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 You are doing great! It is time for you to display your understanding of the topics in this module.

Name: ________________________________________________Score: _________________

Section: ______________________________________________ Date: _________________

Directions: Read each question carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. It is an academic paper expressing about a position about an issue

A. Critique paper
B. Position paper
C. Reaction paper
D. All of the above

2. Which of the following sections of a position paper needs ample time to collect information?
A. Introduction C. Conclusion
B. Body D. All of the above

3. Which sections of a position paper restate the main point and final comment?
A. Introduction
B. body
C. conclusion
D. All of the above

4. The following situations can be used to express a position, except:

A. Social issues
B. Intriguing issues
C. Recurring issues
D. Gossips

5. What is the ideal minimum number of paragraphs in a position paper?

A. two paragraphs
B. three paragraphs
C. four paragraphs
D. five paragraphs

6. How can you make your paper convincing?

A. sources are cited properly
B. support opinions with evidences
C. record findings and post on any social media platform
D. none of the above

7. How many sources shall you incorporate in your paper?

A. one source
B. two sources
C. three or more sources
D. no need of any source

8. The following are to be considered in writing a manifesto, except

A. What issue should I want to address?
B. What do I want others do to address the issue?
C. What changes must I see?
D. All of the above

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9. Which of the following is employed in writing a manifesto?
A. Be concise and use clear language
B. Avoid using long and complicated words
C. A and B
D. Neither A nor B

10. Which of the following is true in dealing with manifestos?

A. Elaborate on skills if doing manifesto for an election
B. Your manifesto is not about you but about your opponent.
C. Both A and B are correct
D. Only B is correct

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