LESSON 17:

PURPOSEFUL WRITING IN THE DISCIPLINES AND FOR PROFESSIONS

(POSITION PAPER)

PERFORMANCE STANDARD: The learner produces each type of academic writing and professional correspondence
following the properties of well written texts and process approach to writing.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
Identifies the unique features of and requirements in composing texts that are useful across disciplines
e. Position Paper

DEFINITION OF TERM

Position Paper A position paper is an essay that presents an arguable opinion about an issue– typically that of the
author or some specified entity. Position papers are published in academia, in politics, in law and
other domains. The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that the opinion presented
is valid and worth listening to. Ideas for position papers that one is considering need to be carefully
examined when choosing a topic, developing an argument, and organizing the paper.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_paper

EXPLORE

ACTIVITY 1:

List down the common issues and controversies that you watched, heard or read from TV, radio and the Internet.
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ACTIVITY 2:

Choose 1 issue or controversy. Pick a side. Are you in favor (positive) or against it (negative). Write 3 claims.

Topic: (Issue)
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Racial and gender discrimination in the workforce

Vaccinating children
Medical marijuana
Harassment in the workplace
Treatment of athletes

Claim 1:

Claim 2:

Claim 3:

FIRM UP

DISCUSSION

POSITION PAPER

A position paper is a type of academic writing that present’s one stand or viewpoints on a particular issue.
The main objective of writing a position paper is to take part in a larger debate by stating your arguments and
proposed course of action.

PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER

Introduction
Uses a lead that grabs the attention of readers
Defines the issue and provide a thorough background
Provides a general statement of your position through a thesis statement

Body
States your main arguments and provides sufficient evidence (e.g. statistics, interviews with experts and
 testimonies)
Provides counter arguments against possible weaknesses of your arguments

Conclusion
Restates your position and main arguments
Suggests a course of action
Explains why your position is better than any other position
Ends with a powerful closing statement (e.g. a quotation, a challenge, or a question)

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 The issue should be debatable
The issue should be current and relevant
The issue should be written in a question form and answerable by yes or no
The issue should be specific and manageable

ACTIVITY 3:

Choose one topic from the following. Then, write your claim and thesis statement.

Is video game good or bad?

Is private school tuition (elementary, high school, or college) really worth it?
Are beauty contest a positive thing for young girls?
Is the death penalty an effective deterrent to criminals?
Is technology making people smarter or dumber?

Topic:

Claim:

Thesis Statement:

DEEPEN

ACTIVITY 4:

Write a topic outline. Use the thesis statement you have written. Follow the format below.

Introduction

a. Topic

b. Background

c. Thesis statement

b. Counter Argument

a. Counterclaims

b. Refute counterclaims

Your

Argument

A. Claim 1

1. Support with source

 Claim 2

c. Support with source

Claim 3

d. Support with source IV.

Conclusion

Restate your argument

Suggestion to action

Links for position paper:

https://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm
https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-position-paper-1857251

ACTIVITY 5: SMALL PERFORMANCE TASK

TRANSFER

EVALUATION

General Instruction:
Read the instructions carefully before answering.
e. Finish the test within one (1) hour.

I. Match Column A with Column B.

Column A Column B
1. Defines the issue and provide a thorough background a. Position Paper
2. Provides a general statement of your position through a thesis statement b. Introduction
3. Academic writing that present’s one stand or viewpoints on a particular issue c. Body
4. Provides counter arguments against possible weaknesses of your arguments d. Summary
5. States your main arguments and provides sufficient evidence e. Conclusion
6. Explains why your position is better than any other position
7. Ends with a quotation, a challenge, or a question
8. Uses a lead that grabs the attention of readers
9. Restates your position and main arguments
10 Suggests a course of action

II.

Enumerate the following

Things to consider when choosing a topic

 Parts of a position paper

Why do you need to include arguments in your position paper?

As a student, why do you need to know how to write a position paper?
A position paper is your own stand or viewpoint about a topic. Why do you need to cite information from
other people or sources?

REFERENCES

Casinto, Carlo. Reading and Writing: Strategies for Critical and Purposeful Communication.1st ed,. Cebu, MegaTEXTS Phil.,

Inc,. 2016

Dayagbil, Filomena, et al. Critical Reading and Writing for the Senior High School. Quezon, Lorimar Publishing, Inc., 2016

Tiongson, Marella and Rodriguez, Maxine. Reading and Writing Skills. 1st ed., Manila, Rex Book Store, 2016

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_paper

https://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm

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