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English for Academic and

Professional Purposes
Quarter 4 – Week 1-2
Writing a Position Paper

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 LESSON 1

WHAT IS A POSITION PAPER?

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
 define what a position paper;
 identify situations in which a position paper may be effectively used in the
present society; and
 gather manifestos and analyze the arguments used by the writer/s.

WHAT IS IT

Position paper- is an essay that expresses a position about an issue. It gives

arguments that support the opinion of the writer based on the facts collected. Its goal
is to convince an audience that the opinion raised underwent thorough investigation
and data collection and that it is therefore valid.

Elements of a Position Paper

1. Introduction – this part of the paper identifies an issue that is being discussed by
the author emphasizing his position about the issue. Here, the topic is introduced;
background and history of the issue shall also be discussed.

2. Body of the paper– this part illustrates the central argument which can be
presented through a brief description of the argument. Details, point of view,
evidences are used to support the claim. It can be divided into these sections namely:
background information, evidence supporting the author’s position, and a discussion
which addresses and refutes arguments that present both sides of the issue.

3. Conclusion – this part restates the main points, then summarizes the arguments
made in the paper and then provides a call of action.

Position papers are utilized to present an issue and to generate support on the issue.
Therefore, gathering factual information to support your argument would be very
essential.

What about Manifesto as a form of writing?

Manifesto is a document publicly declaring the position or program of its issuer.

A manifesto advances a set of ideas, opinions, or views, but it can also lay out a plan
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of action. While it can address any topic, it most often concerns art, literature, or
politics. Manifestos are generally written in the name of a group sharing a common
perspective, ideology, or purpose rather than in the name of a single individual.
It combines a sometimes violent societal critique with an inaugural and inspirational
declaration of change. Although manifestos can claim to speak for the majority, they
are often authored by social activists and usually linked to new
ideas(https://www.britannica.com/topic/manifesto).

LESSON 2

WRITING A POSITION PAPER

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

 Defend a stand on an issue by presenting reasonable arguments

supported by properly cited factual evidences.
 Writing various position papers

WHAT IS IT

There are two basic of writing which specialized at convincing. These are:

1. Persuasion appeals to readers’ emotions to make them believe something or take

specific action. Persuasion can also use logic and evidence.
Note: Refer to the color coding
Steps in Persuasive Writing
1. State your opinion and introduce your argument.
2. Give your reasons for your opinion.
3. Illustrate with examples to support your opinion.
4. Restate your opinion and your suggested solution.

Example:
Parents’ love which is illustrated with their sacrifices is worth recognition.
They send their children to school even if they have not gone to school
themselves, even if their own wants are sacrificed just to fund students’
needs. You, dear students must recognize this immeasurable love of your
parents by being good in your studies.
2. Argumentation relies on logic and evidence to build a case for a specific claim.
Argumentation de-emphasizes appeals to emotion.

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Steps in Argumentative Writing
1. Make a claim
2. Support your claim with reasons/evidence
3. Acknowledge the counterclaim
4. Refute the counterclaim
5. Conclude with strong statement

Example:

Many students ignore the significance of doing well in their studies. They
often neglect their parents’ sacrifices by getting low grades or worst yet
getting a failing marks. On the other hand, psychologists say performance
in school is influenced by many factors which include peers. However, to
fair well in school is not only about influence but also about being exposed
to social realities such as difficulties of getting decent job. Thus, funding
students to school becomes a big sacrifice among parents.

Persuasive versus Argumentative

This table below will help you differentiate Persuasive writing from
Argumentative writing.

CHARACTERISTICS PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATIVE

Claim is based on Claim is based on
CLAIM
opinion factual evidence
Asks audience to Proves a point to the
PURPOSE
do something. audience.
Based on
Based on stabilised
BASIS character and
position and logic.
emotion.

REFERENCES
Saqueton G, Uychoco M .2016. English for Academic and Professional Purposes. 1977 CM Recto Avenue, Manila: Rex Bookstore.

Wyson, John Daryl B. 2016. English for Academic and Professional Purposes, Quezon City:Vibal Group Inc.

English for Academic Purposes Learner’s Material and Teacher’s Guide. Department of Education, First Edition, 2016.

MARICAR R. MUSNI LEONORA A. MARALIT ARLENE A. ROSARIO, PhD

English Coordinator Grade Level Chairperson Master Teacher I

EAPP11-Q3-Wk1-2

Bugallon Integrated School

Bugallon, Pangasinan
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NAME: ____________________________GR.&SEC.:______________ SCORE:____

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

WRITTEN TASK: ACTIVITY 1. Directions: Match the descriptions in Column A with the terms
in column B. Write your answers in your notebook.

Column A Column B

_______1. A one- sentence statement about the topic. A. Argument

_______2. A statement that relies on logic and evidence. B. Persuasion
_______3. A statement that appeals to emotion to convince. C. Thesis
_______4. It is a part of the essay where you encourage D. Body
readers to take action. E. Introduction
_______5. It is a part of the essay which elaborates detail. F. Conclusion
_______6. A paper that poses the writers position of an G. Position Paper
issue. H. Manifesto
_______7. A type of writing which uses examples to
defend a claim.
_______8. An academic writing that shows how your stance
relates to other positions.
_______9. A document publicly declaring the position
or program of its issuer.
_______10. An element of position paper which includes
personal experiences to illustrate a position.

ACTIVITY 1.1 MARK IT!

Copy the table below in your notebook. Read the descriptions below and identify
whether it is a form of persuasion or reason. Put an X on the appropriate box.

PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATIVE
DESCRIPTION
WRITING WRITING
1. Writer starts with a strong opinion
and researches reasons to support it
2. Writer starts with a topic, researches
and discusses all sides of the issue,
and chooses one side to support
3. Appeals to readers with logic
4. Appeals to readers with evidence
5. Appeals to readers with emotion
6. Outlines multiple sides of the issue
7. Calls readers to action
8. Uses passionate, urgent writing
voice
9. Uses calm, neutral writing voice
10. Proves a point
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https://k12.thoughtfullearning.com/minilesson/distinguishing-argumentation-persuasion

PERFORMANCE TASK: Writing a Position Paper

ACTIVITY 2.
From the issues listed below, choose one (1) to work on to develop into a
position paper. Do some researching/reading to gather information and defend your
stand by writing a position paper with the intention of convincing your reader to
support your stand. Refer to the rubric below. Write your position paper on a 1 whole
sheet of paper.

List of Issues:

Online Classes Among Public Schools Students

Curfew Among Minors
NO vaccination NO entry in all establishments
Cyber Bullying
Limited face to face classes
________________________________ (topic of your choice)

(Write your position paper here on the issue of your choice.)

Introduction ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
 Catchy
Topic ____________________________________________________________
sentence ____________________________________________________________
 Your ____________________________________________________________
Position ____________________________________________________________
about the
____________________________________________________________
issue

____________________________________________________________
Body ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
 Position ____________________________________________________________
 Evidences
____________________________________________________________
 Personal
experience ____________________________________________________________
s relative ____________________________________________________________
to the
____________________________________________________________
issue
____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
Conclusion ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
 Summary,
____________________________________________________________
Conclusion
 Action ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
RUBRIC IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER:
SCORE

EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR POOR

CRITERION
4 3 2 1

Content and Takes a strong, Clear position Position not No clear

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Development well-defined taken and clearly stated; position
(50%) position; uses at defined; some development taken;
least three reasons and is brief, reasons
appropriate some details unrelated, underdevelo
reasons with at present, but not unsupported ped; no
least two fully developed. general supporting
supporting details Counter statements, facts used.
for each reason. arguments reasons, and
Counter addressed. details,
arguments minimal facts
effectively used. Counter
addressed, arguments
without not
undercutting acknowledge
position. d.
x.50
Organization Structure of Structure is Structure of Organizatio
and paper is clear mostly clear the paper is n and
Structure and easy to and easy to not easy to structure
(20%) follow. Paragraph follow. follow. detract the
transitions are Paragraph Paragraph message of
logical and transitions are transitions the writer.
maintained the present. need Paragraphs
flow of thought Conclusion is improvement. are
throughout the logical. Conclusion is disjointed
paper. not logical. and lack
Conclusion is transition of
logical and flows thoughts.
from the body of
the paper.
x.20
Format Paper follows Paper follows Paper follows Paper lacks
(10%) guidelines. Paper guidelines. most of the more
has appropriate Paper has guidelines. elements of
length as appropriate Paper is correct
described for the length for the over/under formatting.
assignment. assignment. word length. Paper is
Format enhances Format is good. inadequate/
readability of the excessive in
paper. length.
x.10
Grammar, Rules of Rules of Paper Paper
Punctuation grammar, usage, grammar, contains few contains
& Spelling punctuation are usage, grammatical, grammatical
(20%) followed; spelling punctuation are punctuation ,
is correct. followed with and spelling punctuation
Language is clear minor errors. errors. and spelling
and precise; Few/ no spelling Language errors.
sentences errors. lacks clarity Language
display or includes uses jargon
consistently the use of or
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 strong, varied some jargon conversatio
structure. or nal tone
conversationa
l tone.
x.20
OVERALL
SCORE
Source:https://eng.ucmerced.edu/people/awesterling/SPR2014.ESS141/Assignments/rubric2.pdf

Prepared by: Checked by: Noted:

MARICAR R. MUSNI ARLENE A. ROSARIO, PhD DIGNA A. TANDOC

Teacher II Master Teacher I Principal I

GUIA CHARISSA D. CEREZO

Teacher II