ENGLISH

for Academic and Specific Purposes

WEEK 18 Topic:

✔ How to Build a Position

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• define position paper, and;

• identify the steps in making a position paper.
POSITION PAPER
• a type of essay that presents one side of a debatable issue
POSITION PAPER
STEPS in writing a position paper:

HAVE CREDIBLE
1 EXPLORE 5
RESOURCES

2 BRAINSTORM 6 REFINE THE ARGUMENT

PREPARE FOR THE

3 CREATE ASSERTIONS 7
OPPOSITION

WRITE THE POSITION

4 GATHER THE EVIDENCE 8
PAPER
POSITION PAPER
EXPLORE

• Read widely about your chosen topic.

• There will be varied positions because of different experiences
and worldviews.
• It is ignorant to ridicule, ignore, or demonize an opposition.
• An open mind is imperative.
• “Minds are like parachutes, they only function when open.” –
Thomas Dewar
POSITION PAPER
BRAINSTORM

• This is better done with a friend/colleague/peer.

• We can be blind to our flaws in reasoning, so it is always better
to consult someone.
POSITION PAPER
CREATE ASSERTIONS

• Assertions are opinions that people may or may not agree with.
• Assertions are not general truths, but positions on an issue.

GENERAL TRUTHS ASSERTIONS

Working adults pay taxes.
Presidential elections in PH is
conducted every six years.
Working adults that are on minimum
wage should be exempted to pay tax.
Presidential elections are better done
every 10 years for a fuller execution of
presidential power.
POSITION PAPER
CREATE ASSERTIONS

• Write down several assertions.

• Evaluate whether all of the assertions fit your thesis statement
(controllling idea).
POSITION PAPER
GATHER EVIDENCE

• Gather evidence to prove each point.

• Make sure that each assertion has strong evidence.
• facts
• statistics
• Itis• interviews
inappropriate to use
moral or religious truth.
• personal experiences
• It is inappropriate to call people that you disagree with as
savages, heathens, or demons.
POSITION PAPER
HAVE CREDIBLE RESOURCES

• The best sources are bills, laws, and declarations from

government and non-government organizations.
• You may also use scholarly articles, books, newspapers,
magazines, television stations, encyclopedias, and dictionaries.
• When using Wikipedia, it is best to look at its reference list.
• It is best not to use Wikipedia as your primary source.
• The library is the best place to find the best resources.
POSITION PAPER
REFINE THE ARGUMENT

• An argument is made of three elements: assertion, evidence

and explanation.
• Clarify the link between the assertion and the evidence with
the use of examples and situations.
POSITION PAPER
PREPARE FOR THE OPPOSITION

• An opposition is a negation of the position.

• Read the opposition’s arguments to refute them in your
position paper.
• Refute their strongest points by finding flaws in the argument,
and checking the quality of their sources.
• Refutation is a way to go against the arguments of the
opposition.
POSITION PAPER
WRITE THE OPPOSITION PAPER

• Use your persuasive skills.

• For beginners, it is best to emulate the rhetorical style of the
teachers that interest you, or your favorite writer’s style of
argumentation.
• Capture the reader from the first paragraph.
• Begin with a startling fact, personal experience, or an
anecdote.
• Next, enumerate each argument. A good position paper has at
least three arguments.
POSITION PAPER
WRITE THE OPPOSITION PAPER

• Write your refutation of the opposition.

• It is better to build a stronger argument than hoping to smash
your opponent’s (or opposition’s) arguments.
• Write a conclusion.
• A conclusion is your last chance to persuade someone.
• End your paper with strong insights, a recommendation, a call
to action, or an emotional appeal.