M3 Lesson 1: WRITING A POSITION PAPER
APP1: English for Academic
STEM 11-Galilei | Sir. Juconz Ramirez | 1st SEM 2022
DEFINITION AND PURPOSE
 A position paper is a more
complex version of a persuasive
essay. A persuasive essay is a
position on a certain issue and its
presented paragraph forms.
 However, a position paper is not
an essay but has various parts just
like a concept paper.
 A position paper can be likened to
a debate, but you are presenting
the arguments in a written form.
 Presenting an argument implies
that you are favoring one side of
the issue.
PRINCIPLES OF ARGUMENTATIVE
WRITING
AUDIENCE, VIEWPOINT,
ORGANIZATION, WRITING STYLE
1. AUDIENCE – Consider your
audience. What is the best
possible way to communicate to
them? How can you convince them
to side with you in case they have
different stand?
2. VIEWPOINT - You have to know
the issue and the side that you
have chosen. To do so, you should
do basic research to gain
knowledgeable information about
the issue.
You should ask yourself
questions such as the following:
 Is the issue worth
pursuing?
 Is it a real issue?
 What is my position or
stand on this issue?
 What support do I have
(from books, the
internet, and field
research)
3. Clarification - the analysis of a
concept by looking at the
and Professional Use (Lecture)
examples and specifying some of
its characteristics
DON’T FORGET
The definition method of concept
explanation has something to do with
making abstract ideas clearer by providing
the meaning of an abstract concept.
This is done by answering the question:
“What does the concept mean?"
A definition includes the term to be
defined as well as the detailed exposition
of the term through the use of illustrations,
examples and descriptions.
TYPES OF DEFINITION
Informal Definition - This is done by simply
providing a brief explanation of a
term/concept.
(Ex: Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is naturally
found in vegetable oil, fish and nuts.)
Formal Definition - This is done by
incorporating the term to be defined
(species), the general category of the term
(genus) and the quality that makes it
unique from other items in the category
(differential).
(Ex: Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-
solublevitamin that acts as an antioxidant)
Extended Definition - It is a detailed way
of explaining a concept and may be a
paragraph long. This incorporates the
different patterns of definition (formal and
informal, comparison and contrast,
narration, description, etc.)
EXAMPLE OF EXTENDED
DEFINITION:
Subsequent to materials design is
the preparation of learning
materials. Learning materials refer
to both printed and non-printed
1
M3 Lesson 1: WRITING A POSITION PAPER
APP1: English for Academic
STEM 11-Galilei | Sir. Juconz Ramirez | 1st SEM 2022
objects or items that teachers and
learners use to facilitate language
learning. Nowadays, materials are
becoming more and more
sophisticated, incorporating
authentic language samples and
realias that help make a connection
between classrooms and real-life
activities. They also incorporate
information and communication
technology (ICT), role-plays,
information- gap activities songs,
taped transcripts, integrated macro
skills, and explicit rubrics.
1. EXPLICATION
 Explication is a method of
explanation used mainly for
literary criticism. This is done
by snipping certain lines,
phrases, verses (or even the
entire text itself) and then
interpreting/explaining them in
detail.
 In using explication, one should
state his/her thesis statement
in the introduction and then
writing the detailed analysis of
the passage or text (depending
on the type of criticism used)
including a description of how
the text itself was constructed
and then ending it with a
restatement of the thesis
statement made earlier as well
as the summary of the major
arguments given.
EXAMPLE:
and Professional Use (Lecture)
In the final stanza of his poem The
Road Not Taken, Frost talks about his
dilemma of coming upon two diverging
paths, and not knowing which one to
choose. The third line is very
important, as it delivers an idea of
choosing between the two divergent
paths.
The tone in this stanza shifts from
regretful to optimistic. The two roads
symbolically represent individual
choices. The mood is neither
depressed nor unhappy, but the poet
sighs because he knows what the
complexities our life may have for him.
Whether he has chosen a right or a
wrong path, it has a compelling impact
on his life. The phrase "less traveled"
suggests the theme of individualism.
From: The Road Not Taken (by Robert
Frost)
2. CLARIFICATION
 This entails the analysis of a
concept by looking at the
examples and specifying some
of its characteristics to arrive at
one working definition which
can be used throughout the
paper.
 In simpler terms, you take a
concept, break it down into its
component types or examples
and then explain the examples.
After specifying the examples,
a general understanding of the
concept is then gleaned.
Signal words for Clarification:
After all, As an example, Consider the
following example, To clarify, for
instance, in other words, for example,
2
M3 Lesson 1: WRITING A POSITION PAPER
APP1: English for Academic
STEM 11-Galilei | Sir. Juconz Ramirez | 1st SEM 2022
namely, that is, in particular, in short,
to be specific
WHAT IS A CONCEPT PAPER?
A concept paper enables in putting
thoughts and ideas into paper for
consideration for research. It is from
the concept paper that one develops
the research proposal which can either
be business or academic-oriented.
Most students usually go directly to the
research proposal. As good as a
concept paper and research proposal
may seem similar, they are different in
the process and presentation. The aim
of the concept paper is to capture the
thoughts and ideas while the research
proposal captures the ideas in a
structured manner for approval to
research (Lango, 2019).
WHAT ARE THE USES OF A
CONCEPT PAPER?
 First, it serves as the
foundation of a full project
proposal.
 Second, it helps determine the
feasibility of a project before it
is implemented.
 Third, it is used to pique the
interest of potential funding
agencies.
 Lastly, it is used to gather
important feedback regarding
the presented ideas before
preparing the full proposal
PARTS OF A CONCEPT PAPER
Barrot and Sipacio (2016) claim
that a concept paper usually
and Professional Use (Lecture)
ranges from 500 to 2,000 words
and is usually divided into several
parts. However, they emphasized
that the format and design required
by the funding agency(PROJECT)
need to be followed. The parts of a
concept paper may also vary
depending on the nature of the
project/activity. There are two
outlines of a concept paper based
on the context.
Concept Paper for a Project
1. Cover Page
2. Introduction (info about the
funding agency, mission of the
agency, provide reasons why
funding should be given to the
project)
3. Rationale/ Background (state
the gap in the knowledge to be
addressed, state the problem
to be solved, state the project’s
significance)
4. Project Description (state the
goals and objectives of the
project, methodology, timeline,
benefits of outcomes, how
success will be evaluated)
5. Project Needs and Cost
(outline of the main budget
including item description and
amount, how will the budget be
used, personnel and
equipment
Concept Paper for Academic
Research
1. Title Page (research title,
name of proponents and
school, date of submission)
2. Background of the Study
(status quo, research gap,
3
M3 Lesson 1: WRITING A POSITION PAPER
APP1: English for Academic and Professional Use (Lecture)
STEM 11-Galilei | Sir. Juconz Ramirez | 1st SEM 2022
problems to be addressed by scholars and scientists. However,
the research, reasons why the refrain from using jargon when
study is conducted, theoretical your target readers are lay
persons.
and practical implications of the
proposed research) 7. Include the overview of the budget
3. Preliminary Literature if it is required. If not, then skip the
Review (theoretical framework, budget section. In place of this,
related lit, related studies, you may simply include the type of
synthesis of related lit and support you may need such as
studies) personnel, travel and
communication, and equipment.
4. Statement of the Problem/
Objectives (general problem,
8. Be sure that basic format details,
specific research questions/
such as page numbers, are
objectives)
incorporated.
5. A bridged Methodology
9. Cite your references
(context of the participants,
research instrument/s, data
collection procedure, data
analysis scheme)
6. Timeline (expressed in months
and years)
7. References

Guidelines in Writing a Concept Paper

Barrot and Sipacio (2016) presented the
following guidelines to come up with a
well-written concept paper.
1. Cost and methodology should be
reasonable.

2. The budget, methodology, and

timeline should be clearly aligned.

3. Use statistics and figures when

discussing the rationale for the
project.

4. Use no more than five pages

(single-spaced) excluding the
cover page. Do not overwhelm the
readers with details.

5. Never request funding for planning

the proposal.

6. Adjust your language to the

intended readers. You may use
technical terms if readers are