READING AND WRITING

FINAL TERM LESSON 12 UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

ACADEMIC TEXT: POSITION PAPER HIGHER SCHOOL NG UMAK

Time Started : ___________

Time Ended : ___________

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. determine the purpose of position paper;

2. distinguish the key features of an effective position paper; and
3. compose an effective and convincing position paper.

INTRODUCTION/KEY POINTS

KNOWLEDGE BOOSTER (CORE CONTENT)

Identical to a debate, a position paper is composed to present one side of a debatable
opinion about a certain subject.

The aim of a position paper is to influence and to convince the audience that your opinion is
valid and defensible. The ideas that you are bearing in mind need to be cautiously examined in
selecting a subject matter, developing your dispute, and establishing your paper. It is imperative to
guarantee that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it in a way that is easy for
your readers to understand. Your main task is to take one side of the argument and persuade your
audience that you have well-founded information of the topic being presented. It is the central point
to support your argument with evidence to guarantee the validity of your claims, as well as to
disprove the counterclaims presented that you are well informed about both sides.
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 READING AND WRITING:
POSITION PAPER

Issue Criteria

To take a side on a subject, you should first establish the debatable side of a 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?

Once your topic is selected, you should do some research on the subject matter. Supporting
evidence includes the following:

TYPE OF INFORMATION TYPE OF SOURCES HOW TO FIND THESE

SOURCES
introductory information and directories, encyclopedias, use the Library catalogue
overviews handbooks
in-depth studies books, government reports library catalogue, government
websites
scholarly articles academic journals article indexes
current issues newspapers, magazines article indexes
statistics government agencies and statistics, research Index,
associations journal articles
** You do not have to use all of the above supporting evidence in your papers. This is simply a list of the various options available to you.

5 Steps to Writing a Position Paper

In a position paper, your responsibility is to select a side on a specific issue, usually

debatable, and shape up a case for your opinion or position.

1. Select a topic for your paper

 In various scenarios, the topic and your theme are not as significant as your ability
to make a sturdy case. Your topic can be simple or complex, but then your dispute
must be comprehensive and reasonable.

2. Conduct preliminary research

 Preliminary research is essential to regulate whether adequate and satisfactory
evidence is existing to support your point of view. If you turn up with nothing after
an hour of thorough searching, or if you see and feel that your position doesn’t
stand up to the results on reputable sites, choose alternative subject. This may well
save you from a lot of frustration later.

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 READING AND WRITING:
POSITION PAPER

3. Challenge your own topic

 You must recognize the contradicting view along with your own stance when you
take a position. Provide yourself the time to determine completely the possible
challenges that you might face as you support your view.

4. Continue to collect supporting evidence

 The minute you’ve determined that your position is manageable and the opposite
position is (in your opinion) weaker than your own, you are completely equipped
to branch out with your research.

5. Create an outline
 Introduce your topic with some basic background information.
 Introduce possible objections to your position.
 Support and acknowledge the opposing points.
 Explain that your position is still the best one, despite the strength of counter-
arguments.
 Summarize your argument and restate your position.

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 READING AND WRITING:
POSITION PAPER

INSIGHT

In a position paper, the ideas that you are considering need to be carefully examined in
choosing a topic, developing your argument, and organizing your paper. It is very important to
ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy for
your audience to understand.

TIPS:

 Present a unique, though biased, solution or a unique approach to solving a problem.

 Formally inform others of your position as a foundation to build resolution to difficult
problems.
 Establish your credibility.
 You must be certain that your paper is free from grammar and spelling mistakes.
 Avoid plagiarism: plagiarism is a form of stealing; as with other offences against the law,
ignorance is no excuse.

ASSESSMENT/ACTIVITY

Individual Activity:

In a bulleted form, state your intellectual opinion (at least five for each issue).

1. PhilHealth Irregularities and Corruption

2. Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020
3. Freedom of Media
4. Education: Transition to Flexi-Learning
5. South China Sea

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 READING AND WRITING:
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ASSIGNMENT
PAIR ACTIVITY:

Select one from the subjects or issues that you listed. In the topic that you two picked, you will
discuss and decide as to what sides you were going to discuss (such as one will choose to agree with
the topic while the other is the opposite). In a long bond paper, Font: century gothic, size 12, .5
margin all sides except left with 1”.

RUBRIC 24 – 25% 20 – 23% 16 – 19% 10 – 15% Score

Current Issue
Attention The introductory The introductory The author has The
Grabber paragraph has a paragraph has a an interesting introductory
strong hook or hook or introductory paragraph is not
attention grabber attention paragraph but interesting AND
that is grabber, but it is the connection is not relevant
appropriate for weak, rambling to the topic is to the topic.
the audience. This or inappropriate not clear.
could be a strong for the audience.
statement, a
relevant
quotation,
statistic, or
question
addressed to the
reader
Focus or The thesis The thesis The thesis The thesis
Thesis statement clearly statement statement statement does
Statement names the topic names the topic outlines some not name the
of the essay and of the essay. The or all of the topic AND does
outlines the main author's position main points to not preview
points to be is stated be discussed but what will be
discussed. The does not name discussed.
author's position the topic.
is strongly and
clearly stated.
Support for Includes 3 or Includes 3 or Includes 2 Includes 1 or
Position more pieces of more pieces of pieces of fewer pieces of
evidence (facts, evidence (facts, evidence (facts, evidence (facts,
statistics, statistics, statistics, statistics,

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 READING AND WRITING:
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examples, real- examples, real- examples, real- examples, real-

life experiences) life experiences) life experiences) life
that support the that support the that support the experiences).
position position position
statement. The statement. statement.
writer anticipates
the reader's
concerns, biases
or arguments and
has provided at
least 1
counterargument.

Writing Piece is clearly Author paid Errors may be Errors make it

Mechanics written with no attention to present and difficult to read
grammar, writing may slightly and/or
spelling, conventions; take away from understand the
punctuation, or Minor errors do the clarity; yet, paper.
capitalization not distract from the writer’s
errors meaning. meaning can be
determined.

REFERENCES
No author.(n.d.).Writing a position paper. retrieved from:
https://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm

Fleming, G.(2019).5 Steps to Writing a Position Paper. retrieved from:

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-position-paper-1857251

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