POSITION PAPER

GROUP 3
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DEFINITION AND PURPOSE

• Position paper is a typical kind of scholarly or academic paper. It is

composed of subsequent to finding out about and examining a
specific issue. It is written by an author in order to make an argument
which must be based from proofs or evidences. It is more complex
version of a persuasive essay and it has a various parts like other
academic papers. A position paper can be likened to a debate, but you
are presenting your arguments in a written form. Presenting an
argument implies that you are favouring one side of the issue.
DEFINITION AND PURPOSE

•Position paper aims to present the stand of the

author or a person on an issue. It also incorporates
supportive evidence that are based on facts. The
evidence is needed to establish and strengthen the
claims or arguments of the writer on the issue.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER

1. Begin the writing process with an in-depth research about the issue at hand.
2.Be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain and
analyze them objectively.
3. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
4. Establish your credibility by citing reliable sources.
5. Present a unique way of approaching the issue.
6. Limit your position paper to two pages.
7. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their beliefs, needs,
interest, and motivations.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER

8. Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and refute them with evidence.
9. Define unfamiliar terms at first mention.
10. use an active voice as much as possible. This will make your tone dynamic and firm
11. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or deductive approach.
12. Check your paper for fallacies and revise accordingly.
13. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeals. Ethical appeals relate to your credibility
and competence as writer; logical appeal refers to the rational approach in developing
and argument; emotional appeals pertain to feelings evoked during arguments. Make
sure to check your appeals to ensure that they are not fallacious.
PARTS OF POSITION PAPER

Position paper consists of three parts such as the introduction,

body, and conclusion.
INTRODUCTION

• It consists the introduction of the issue, explanation

of the topic in order to provide the background
information of the issue and the assertion of the
thesis statement.
 BODY

• It includes the summary of
the counterclaims, and your
arguments. Summary of the
counterclaims refer to the
counter arguments of others
who disagree with your
claims or stand on an issue.
• In this part, you must also •It is the part where you
provide supporting must assert your claims by
information and refute the giving educated and informed
opinions. These should be
counterclaims by
providing evidence. After
supported or proven by
providing evidence from various
it is the presentation of sources, preferably three or
your arguments. more.
CONCLUSION

• It includes the restatement of the thesis

statement, arguments and the implications. You
may include plan of action but do not introduce
new information.
 HOW SHOULD A POSITION PAPER BE OUTLINED?

I. INTRODUCTION II. BODY III. CONCLUSION

A. Presentation of the A. Presentation of the

Summary of the A. Restatement of the thesis
topic
Counterclaims statement, arguments, action
B. Presentation of the plan
background information B. Presentation of the
Arguments
C. Presentation of the
B1. First Argument
thesis statement
a. Evidence/Support
B2. Second Argument
b. Evidence/Support
B3. Third Argument
c. Evidence/Support
THE FOLLOWING ARE REMINDERS IN WRITING A POSITION
PAPER:

1. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR POSITION PAPER HAS A CLEAR TOPIC AND ISSUE THAT HAS
ADEQUATE FINDINGS AND SUPPORT.

2. MAKE SURE THAT THE ISSUE YOU ARE WRITING ABOUT IS REAL AND HAS TWO
DISTINCTIVE SIDES THAT YOU CAN TAKE.

3. MAKE SURE YOU CAN PROVIDE EVIDENCE AND SUPPORT TO SIDE AND CLAIMS.
TYPES OF WRITING USED FOR
CONVINCING:
PERSUASIVE
• appeals to readers’ emotions to make them believe something or take a
specific action. It also uses logic and evidence.

Steps in Persuasive Writing

1. State your opinion and introduce your argument.

2. Give your reason for your opinion
3. Illustrate with examples to support your opinion
4. Restate your opinion and your suggested solution
EXAMPLE:

Parents’ love which is illustrated with their

sacrifices is worth recognition. They send their children
to school even if they have not gone to school
themselves, even if their own wants are sacrificed just
to fund students’ needs. You, dear students, must
recognize this immeasurable love of your parents by
being good in your studies.
ARGUMENTATION
• relies on logic and evidence to build a case for
specific claim.
Argumentation de-emphasizes appeals to emotion.

Steps in Argumentative Writing

1. Make a claim.
2. Support your claim with reasons/evidence.
3. Acknowledge the counterclaim.
4. Refute the counterclaim.
5. Conclude with strong statement.
EXAMPLE

• Many students ignore the significance of doing well in their studies.

They often neglect their parents’ sacrifices by getting low grades or
worst yet getting failing marks. On the other hand, psychologists say
performance in school is influenced by many factors which include
peers. However, to fair well in school is not only about influence but
also about being exposed to social realities such as difficulties of
getting decent job. Thus, funding students to school becomes a big
sacrifice among parents.
 PERSUASIVE VERSUS ARGUMENTATIVE

CHARACTERISTICS PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATIVE

CLAIM Claim is based on opinion Claim is based on factual

evidence

PURPOSE Asks the audience to do Proves a point to the audience

something

BASIS Based on character and emotion Based on stabilized position and

logic