LESSON

LESSON 14:
14: Position
Position Paper
Paper
By
By the
the end
end of
of lesson,
lesson, you
you will
will have
have been
been able
able to
to

 Identify the features of an effective position paper;

 Determine the purpose of a position paper;
 Define the context for a position paper;
 Use transitions to connect ideas; and
 Write an effective position paper.
What
What is
is aa Position
Position Paper?
Paper?

 A position paper is a type of academic writing

that presents one’s stand or viewpoint 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
Parts of
of aa Position
Position Paper
Paper

1.
1.Introduction
Introduction
• Uses a lead that grabs the attention of readers.
• Defines the issue and provide a through background.
• Provides a general statement of your position through a thesis statement.
 Parts
Parts of
of aa Position
Position Paper
Paper

2.
2.Body
Body
• States your main arguments and provide sufficient evidence (e.g.,
statistics, interviews with experts and testimonies) for each argument.
• Provides counterarguments against possible weakness of your arguments.
 Parts
Parts of
of aa Position
Position Paper
Paper

3.
3. Conclusion
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).
 Choosing an
Choosing an Issue
Issue

1. The issue should be debatable. You cannot take any position if the topic
is not debatable.
2. The issue should be current and relevant.
3. The issue should be written in a question form and answerable by yes or
no.
4. The issue should be specific and manageable.
 Guidelines in
Guidelines in Writing
Writing aa Position
Position Paper
Paper

 Begin the writing process with an in-depth research about the

issue at hand
 Be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain
and analyze them objectively.
 Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses .
 Guidelines in
Guidelines in Writing
Writing aa Position
Position Paper
Paper

Establish your credibility by citing reliable sources.

Present a unique way of approaching the issue.
Limit your position paper to two pages.
 Guidelines in
Guidelines in Writing
Writing aa Position
Position Paper
Paper

 Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to

their beliefs, need, interests, and motivation
 Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and refute
them with evidence.
 Define unfamiliar terms at first mention.
 Guidelines in
Guidelines in Writing
Writing aa Position
Position Paper
Paper

 Usean active voice as much as possible. This will make your

tone dynamic and firm.
 Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or
reductive approach
 Check your paper for fallacies and revise accordingly.
Guidelines in
Guidelines in Writing
Writing aa Position
Position Paper
Paper

 Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeals. Ethical appeals

relate your credibility and competence as writer; logical appeal
refers to the rational approach in developing an argument;
emotional appeals pertain to feelings evoked during arguments.
Make sure to check your appeals to ensure that they are not
fallacious.
Jem
Jem Villacruel
Villacruel

Dennis
Dennis Em
Em