SHOW YOUR INNER ”MARITES!

versus
GIVE ME AN ISSUE!

• Enumerate at least three specific issues in your

community or in the country which you feel
strongly about and which you think can be
effectively addressed through writing your own
stance.
POSITION PAPER

Weeks 1-2
W H AT I S A P O S I T I O N
PA P E R ?

• A position paper is an essay that expresses a

position on an issue.
• It gives arguments that support the opinion
of the writer based on the facts collected.
HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR POSITION
PA P E R ?

• Introduction

• Body

• Conclusion
INTRODUCTION

• presents the issue while grabbing the attention

of readers
• define the issue and discuss its background

• provide a general statement of your position via

your thesis statement
BODY

• state your main arguments

• provide sufficient evidence for each argument such as

statistical data, interviews with experts, and testimonies
• provide counterarguments against the possible
weaknesses of your arguments
CONCLUSION

• restate your position and main arguments

• suggest a course of action

• state what makes your position superior and more

acceptable
• end with a powerful closing statement such as a quotation, a
challenge, or a question
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

1. Choose an issue.
- should be debatable

- should be current and relevant

- should be written in a question form and answerable by yes

or no
- should be narrow and manageable
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

2. Begin writing the process by conducting an

in-depth research on the issue.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when

you first mention them.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

4. Be aware of the various positions about the

issue and explain and analyze them objectively.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

5. Reflect on your position and identify its

weaknesses.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

6. Cite valid and reliable sources to establish

credibility of your arguments.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

7. View the issue in a different perspective so

you can present a unique approach.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

8. Limit your position paper to two pages.

GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

9. Analyze your target readers and align your

arguments to their beliefs, needs, interests, and
motivations.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

10. Summarize the other side’s

counterarguments and use various evidence
and data to refute them.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

11. Use an active voice as much as possible to

achieve a dynamic and firm tone.

Which of which should be followed?

1. Object + Verb + Subject
2. Subject + Verb + Object
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

12. Arrange your evidence logically using an

inductive or deductive approach.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

13. Check your argument for fallacies and

eliminate them. Fallacies or errors in reasoning
weaken your argument.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION
PA P E R

14. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal.

• ethical – credibility and competence

• logical – rational approach in developing an argument

• emotional – arguments that evoke feelings

W H AT T O R E M E M B E R ?

• Clearly identify the issue that you believe is affecting you

and your community. You can have 2 or more issues.
• From the issues that you identified, take on a side that you
can defend.
W H AT T O R E M E M B E R ?

• Given the issues that you chose, identify other concepts or

ideas that you can associate with the issues.
• Formulate statements that will express your stand towards
the issues. These statements may convey the message that the
issues are having negative effects on people and the
community.
W H AT T O R E M E M B E R ?

• Gather factual evidences to support your arguments regarding

the issue. This evidence may be taken from official statement
of the government agencies, political leaders and academic
authorities.
• Make sure that your statements are strong enough to
convince or persuade your readers into action to address the
issue.