Department of Education

Grade 11: EAPP

Writing Various Types of Position Papers
Second Quarter - Week 3

Rosalia J. Gaddi
Writer

Glendle Lunar
Dr. Florante C. Marmeto
Validators
Josephine M. Montero
Cecilia Teresa C. Claudel
Marie Ann R. Esmeria
Dr. Ma. Carmen Solayao
Quality Assurance Team

Schools Division Office – Muntinlupa City

Student Center for Life Skills Bldg., Centennial Ave., Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
(02) 8805-9935 / (02) 8805-9940
 In this lesson, you will discover the steps in writing an effective position paper.
It will enable you to improve your critical thinking and reasoning skills in communi-
cating your ideas and opinions effectively using factual information.

After completing this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Determine the importance of using facts, opinion from experts, statistics and
other forms of evidence in writing a position paper;
2. Identify and understand the steps and guidelines in writing a position paper
and modes of reasoning; and
3. Write a position paper.

.
Directions: Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. It is a detailed paper that explains, justifies or recommend a particular course of

action.
A. concept paper C. position paper
B. conference paper D. reaction paper

2. The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that a writer’s opinions
are valid and _________.
A. credible C. informative
B. descriptive D. purposive

3. Deductive reasoning proceeds from a general _____________ that leads to a

particular or a specific evidence.
A. argument C. reason
B. evidence D. statement

4. Inductive reasoning derives a _____________ from specific examples and situations.

A. conclusion C. proposition
B. generalization D. question

5. The position paper has three parts which include the background information,
evidence to support the ___________ and a discussion of both sides of the issue.
A. argument C. opinion
B. conclusion D. reason

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6. A writer must use facts, opinion from ________, statistics and other forms of reli-
able evidence to convince the reader that his or her position is the best one.
A. authors C. speakers
B. experts D. validators

7. A position paper must contain a clear ____________ or statement that must be

defended.
A. answer C. proposition
B. argument D. question

8. It is the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or a

proposition is true or valid.
A. arguments C. statements
B. evidence D. reasons

9. A position paper assesses conflicting __________or opposing views on the issue

being discussed.
A. ideas C. reasons
B. opinions D. values

10. A position paper articulates a position, __________ or policy.

A. conclusion C. statement
B. question D. viewpoint

For every claim you make in your writing, you will be required to justify your
claim. Your ideas and generalizations will need factual details/evidences to support
them. Those supporting details may come from different types of reliable reference
sources.

Using the table below, write at least five reliable reference sources.

Example: Encyclopedia

Reliable Reference Sources

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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 A Position paper is a formal, usually detailed written statement, especially re-
garding a single issue, that articulates a position, viewpoint or policy.
(https://www.dictionary.com/browse/position-paper). It is a detailed policy re-
port that explains, justifies or recommend a particular course of action. The goal
of a position paper is to convince the audience that a writer’s opinions are valid
and credible. The position paper has three parts which include the background
information, evidence to support the opinion, and a discussion of both sides of
the issue. A writer needs to conduct a thorough research to support his or her
claims. A writer must use facts, opinion from experts, statistics and other forms
of reliable evidence to convince the reader that his or her position is the best one.

Steps in writing a position paper

1. Introduce your topic with the basic background information. Create a

strong thesis statement, which asserts your position.
2. State the possible contradictions to your position.
3. Discuss the opposing points, but make sure that you are not discrediting
your own views.
4. Emphasize that your position is still the best one. Discredit some of the
counter-arguments and support your own arguments using factual evi-
dence, expert views and statistical data from research and reliable publi-
cations. Include your recommended course of action for the issue.
5. State the summary of your argument and restate your position.

Guidelines for Writing the Position Paper

1. Values Communicated
a. Logical Thinking
b. Objective expression of ideas
c. Balanced assignment of conflicting opinions
2. Modes of Reasoning
a. Inductive
Inductive reasoning derives a generalization from specific examples and situa-
tions. Through an organized presentation of factual evidence and proofs, the reader

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is convinced of the soundness of the arguments that lead to a well-founded general
conclusion.
b. Deductive
Deductive reasoning proceeds from a general statement that leads to particular or
specific evidence.

Qualities of Convincing Position Papers

a. Contain a clear proposition or statement that must be defended.
b. Assess conflicting opinions or opposing views on the issue
c. Take a firm stand on the issue
d. List argument in an organized manner to defend the stand.
e. Presents factual evidence or proofs to support each argument.

References: Position paper (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.diction-

ary.com/browse/position-paper
Ferrer, Ailene D. (2019, November 5). Writing a Position Paper. Retrieved from
https://lrdms.deped.gov.ph/detail/16644

English for Academic and Professional Purposes: Teacher’s Guide (n.d.). Re-
trieved from https://lrdms.deped.gov.ph/detail/12268

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Activity 1:
Directions: Vocabulary Words
Match the term in Column A with its definition in Column B.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

1. position paper A. It is the available body of facts or

information indicating whether a
2. deductive reasoning belief or proposition is true or
valid.
3. inductive reasoning
B. It is a reason or set of reasons
4. argument given with the aim of persuading
others that an action or idea is
5. evidence right or wrong.
C. It is a formal, usually detailed
written statement, especially re-
garding a single issue, that articu-
lates a position, viewpoint or pol-
icy.
D. It proceeds from a general state-
ment that leads to particular or
specific evidences.
E. It derives a generalization from
specific examples and situations.
F. It is a process of decoding ideas
from a written text.

Activity II.
Directions: Read and copy a position paper from any academic journal and publi-
cation. After copying the position paper, identify its parts which include background
information, evidence to support the opinion, and a discussion of both sides of the
issue.

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Activity III: Writing a draft of a position paper.
Directions:
1.Select one topic for your position paper.
Choices:
a. School uniforms should no longer be required.
b. The Mother-Tongue-Based-Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy should be
implemented up to Grade 6.
c. Term Limits of Government Officials should be removed.
d. Same-sex Marriage should be legalized.

2. Write a short background of your topic and create a strong thesis statement,
which asserts your positions.

3. Conduct a research activity to look for evidences to support your positions.

4. List your reference sources.

Activity IV: Writing a Position Paper

Write a two-page position paper using your draft in Activity III of this lesson.
Mention the evidence you found to support your reasons and arguments. Follow
the guidelines in writing a position paper.
Choices:
a. School uniforms should no longer be required.

b. The Mother-Tongue-Based-Multilingual Education (MTBMLE) policy should be

implemented up to Grade 6.
c. Term Limits of Government Officials should be removed.
d. Same-sex Marriage should be legalized.
Rubric for the position paper
20 16 12 8 4
The position is The position The position The position The position
clear and is clear and is clear, com- is clear but is not clear,
strong, comprehen- prehensive not not well-
comprehen- sive, well- but not well- comprehen- organized and
sive and well- organized but organized and sive, not well- contains
organized and contains contains organized and grammatical
is free from grammatical grammatical contains errors
grammatical errors. errors. grammatical
errors errors.

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 Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct word to complete the

statements below.
______________ is a formal paper that articulates a position, ________ or policy.
It has _______________, evidence to support the ___________and a discussion of both
sides of the issue. In writing a position paper, a writer must use _________ and
other forms of ____________ to justify his/her claims. Always follow the recom-
mended steps and guidelines in writing a position paper.

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct word to complete the statements

below.
1. __________________ is the available body of facts or information indicating
whether a belief or 2. _____________ is true or valid.

The parts of a position paper are 3. _____________, 4. _____________________ and

5________________.
6. _____________ is a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading
others that an action or idea is right or 7. ____________.

A convincing position paper must have a clear 8. ___________ or statement that

must be defended
In writing a position paper, 9. _______________ evidence or proofs are important to
support the 10. _____________.

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Test 1: Modified True or False
Directions: Indicate whether the statement is True or False. If it is false, change
the underlined word(s) to make the statement true. Use a separate sheet of paper
for your answers.
____________________1. In writing a position paper, a writer must use factual and
other forms of reliable evidence to justify his/her claims.

____________________2. Inductive reasoning proceeds from a general statement that

leads to a particular or a specific evidence.

____________________3. Deductive reasoning derives a generalization from specific

examples and situations.

____________________ 4. In writing a position paper, you must include your

recommended course of action for the issue being discussed.

_____________________5. Statement is the available body of facts or information

indicating whether a belief or a proposition is true or valid.

_____________________6. A position paper assesses conflicting opinions or opposing

views on the issue being discussed.

_____________________7. A position paper has background information, evidence to

support the opinion and a discussion of both sides of the issue.

_____________________8. A position paper has a clear proposition or statement that

must be defended.

_____________________9. Arguments are reasons given with the aim of persuading

others that an action or idea is right or wrong.

____________________ 10. Position paper is a formal, usually detailed written

question, especially regarding a single issue, that articulates a position, viewpoint
or policy.

References:

English for Academic and Professional Purposes: Teacher’s Guide (n.d.). Retrieved
from https://lrdms.deped.gov.ph/detail/12268

Evidence. (2020). In Oxford Online Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.lex-

ico.com/definition/evidence

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Ferrer, Ailene D. (2019, November 5). Writing a Position Paper. Retrieved from
https://lrdms.deped.gov.ph/detail/16644

Position paper (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/position-

paper

ANSWER KEY

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

1. evidence
2. proposition
3. background information
4. evidence to support the
opinion
5. a discussion of both sides
5. A of the issue
4. B 6. argument
3. E 7. wrong
2. D 8. proposition
1. C 9. reliable
Words 10. claims
Activity 1: Vocabulary POST TEST

10.D 1. True
9. B 2. False -deductive
8. B 3. False -inductive
7. C. 4.True
6. B 5. False -evidence
5. C 6.True
4. B 7.True
3. D 8.True
2. A 9. True
1. C. 10False --statement

PRE-TEST

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