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E L I Z A B E T H F. A G U A N A
SHS-MASTER TEACHER I
 WRITING A POSITION PAPER
At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:
Define a position paper;
Identify the features of an effective position paper;
Identify the situations in which a position paper maybe effectively used in present society;
Gather manifestos and analyze their arguments
Use reasonable arguments and factual evidence to defend a stand
Determine the purpose of a position paper
Define the context for a position paper
Analyze the features of a position paper
Use transitions to connect ideas
Write a effective position paper
 LET’S WARM UP
1. Divide the class into six groups. Assign a group leader.
2. Each of the questions below will be assigned to two groups
 Should girls ask guys out?
 Is fashion important?
 Does age matter in a relationships?

3. The leaders will pick the group’s stand by engaging in a Gam e of Rock, Paper and Scissors.
The winner gets the chance to choose their group’s stand
4. Once your group knows your stand on the issue, think of three valid arguments to defend it.
5. Present your arguments through a creative role play presentation. Each group will be given
five minutes to present .
 SELF- AUDIT

After completing the Let’s Warm Up, tick

the column that determines how often you
practice what the following statements
say. Do this as objectively as possible.
You can use your performance in Let’s
Warm Up as basis in completing this
task.
 SELF-AUDIT
USUALLY-3, SOMETIMES-2, SELDOM-1, NEVER-0

3 2 1 0
1. I conduct an in-depth research before writing my position paper.
2. I provide a background on the issue being discussed.
3. I use reliable sources when providing evidence on my arguments.
4. I state clearly my position at the start of a position paper.
5. I anticipate possible criticisms and counters to my arguments.
6. I consider the reader’s beliefs, values, interests, and motivations when
taking a stand on an issue.
7. I use emotional , ethical, and logical appeals in my position paper whenever
appropriate.
8. I reread my paper and check weaknesses in arguments and writing, and
revise it accordingly.
9. I restate my stand at the end of my position paper.
10. I suggest a course of action after presenting all my arguments.
 SCORING
Score Level of Proficiency
28-30 Advanced
25-27 Proficient
23-24 Approaching Proficiency
21-22 Developing Proficiency
20 and below Beginning Proficiency
 LET’S LEARN

In everyday life, people continuously take

sides and form opinions on anything
that involves them. However, defending
your point by simply saying, “Because I
think so” won’t help you make a case.
It is therefore important that you learn
how to properly outline your thoughts
and make valid arguments.
WHAT IS A POSITION PAPER?
A position paper presents the writer’s stand or viewpoint on a
particular issue.
Writing a position paper entails outlining arguments and proposing the
course of action; by doing so, you are already taking part in a larger
debate.
Aside from this, you have the power to change the opinions and attitude
of others when you write a position paper. Because of this, a position
paper can be an essential tool in bringing about a societal change.
For example, if you do not agree with a certain issue or rule, you can
write a position paper to reflect your point of view.
 PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER
1. Introduction
 Start with an introduction which presents the issue while grabbing the attention of readers
 Define the issue and discuss its background
 Provide a general statement of your position via your thesis statement
2. Body
• State your main arguments
• Provide sufficient evidence for each argument such as statistical data, interviews with experts, and
testimonies.
• Provide counterarguments against the possible weaknesses of your arguments.
3. Conclusion
 Restate your position and main arguments
 Suggest a course of action
 State what makes your position superior and more acceptable
 End with a powerful closing statement such as quotation, a challenge, or a question.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER
1. Choose an issue. When choosing one, keep the following guidelines in mind.
o The issue should be debatable – you wont be able to take a stand if the topic is
not debatable
o The issue should current and relevant
o The issue should be written in a question form and answerable by yes or no.
o The issue should be narrow and manageable
2. Begin the writing process by conducting an in-depth research on the issue
3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when you first mention them
4. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain and analyze them
objectively.
5. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
6. Cite valid and reliable sources to establish the credibility of your
arguments.
7. View the issue in a different perspective so you can present a unique
approach.
8.Limit your position paper to two pages.
9. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their beliefs,
needs, interests, and motivations.
10. Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and use various evidence
and data to refute them.
11. Use an active voice as much as possible to achieve a dynamic and firm
tone.
Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or
deductive approach.
• In an inductive approach, you discuss specific
information first, and then look for patterns to create a
general conclusion. In essence, an inductive approach
entails a flow from specific to general ideas.
• In a deductive approach, you take something general
and then branch out and think of specific things that
could apply to it. Basically, it is a type of reasoning
where the flow of discussion starts with a general
theory and moves to a specific hypothesis.
13. Check your arguments for fallacies and eliminate
them . Fallacies or errors in reasoning weaken your
argument.
14. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal. An
ethical appeal relates to your credibility and
competence as a writer; a logical appeal refers to a
rational approach in developing an argument; while
an emotional appeal uses arguments in a way that
evokes feelings..
 CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING
1. Write G if the practice is good one, write W if not
____1. Patrick considers all possible views on the issue at hand.
____2. Alex says that the issue is a crucial component of a position paper.
____3. Brendon thinks that an issue is debatable if it cannot be answered by yes or no.
____4. Pete conducts an audience analysis to help him write a more persuasive position paper.
____5. Kate boasts about her credentials to establish her credibility as a writer.
____6. Jack primarily uses opinions in supporting his arguments.
____7. Nicki uses statistical data in supporting her argument.
____8. Brandon believes that the main goal of a position paper is to inform readers.
____9. Jamie uses emotional appeal in all of his position papers because it is the best type of appeal.
____10. Matt restates his position in the concluding paragraph.
11. Enumerate at least three specific issues in your community or in the country
which you feel strongly about and which you think can be effectively addressed
through a position paper.

12. ____________________________________________________
13. ____________________________________________________
14. ____________________________________________________
 LET’S PRACTICE
1. Read the text in the following link.

Taylor Swift’s Open Letter to Apple’s Music Streaming Service:

http:lltaylorswift.tumblr.com/post/122071902085/to-qpple-love-taylor
 EVALUATE THE TEXT USING THE RUBRIC
VGE(5) GE(4 SE(3) LE(2 N(1)
) )
CONTENT (35%)

Paper clearly states the position of the writer.

Opening statement captures the readers’ interest.
Issue is debatable, fresh, relevant, and somehow original.
Arguments reflect higher level though.
Paper uses evidence from refutable sources.
There are sufficient pieces of evidence to support the claim.
Paper considers all possible counterarguments.

Paper refutes the opposing arguments logically.

Papers aligns the arguments to the target reader’s beliefs, attitudes, values, and motivations.

Paper employs appropriate method in presenting arguments.

Paper appropriately applies logical, ethical, and/or emotional appeals.

Paper is free from logical fallacies.

Conclusion restates the position of the writer.

Conclusion presents feasible course of action

Closing statement is powerful.

 EVALUATE THE TEXT USING THE RUBRIC
VGE(5) GE(4 SE(3) LE(2 N(1)
) )
ORGANIZATION(25%) g

Paper uses organizational pattern and structure appropriate for the genre
Cohesive devices are effectively used.
Ideas are correctly placed which improves the paper’s organization
Flow of ideas is smooth and easy to read.
STYLE (20%)
Paper showcases the writer’s voice.
Paper uses a variety of sentence structures.

Paper eliminates sexist language

Paper uses language appropriate to context.

Paper eliminates wordiness.

GRAMMAR AND MECHANICS (10%)

Grammar is accurate .

Spelling , capitalization, and punctuations are correctly used.

Word choice is appropriate

Sentences are well –structured

 EVALUATE THE TEXT USING THE RUBRIC
VGE(5) GE(4 SE(3) LE(2 N(1)
) )
DOCUMENTATION AND SOURCES(10%)
Paper uses correct citation and reference format
Sources used are reliable.
Sources used are relevant to the topic.

TOTAL
Legend: RATING:
VGE - TO A VERY GREAT EXTENT 4.01-5.00
GE- TO A GREAT EXTENT 3.01-4.00
SE- TO SOME EXTENT 2.01-3.00
LE- TO A LITTLE EXTENT 1.01-2.00
N-NOT AT ALL 1.00

ANALYZE THE TEXT USING THE TABLE

11. Get two position papers online that deal with any social issues relevant to
Filipinos. Read each manifesto carefully and analyze the arguments used by the
writer/s.
Use the following format in your paper:
short bond paper
Times New Roman
font size 12
1” margin on all sides
1.5” spacing
You may use the following guide in writing your analysis
• This argument analysis examines the article titled (title of the article ) written by ( author/s)
This article is about (briefly summarize the content of the article in 3 to 5 sentences). Specifically ,
this analysis identifies the position of the author/s, their main arguments, and the evidence
supporting these arguments . (Author)makes (number of claims) and support them with various
pieces of evidence.
• The first main argument is (state the argument in your own words). To support this argument,
the author uses (number of evidence presented). (State all the pieces of evidence presented by
the author to support the first argument ). (State your analysis of the argument and evidence
presented. When presenting your analysis , you may use phrases such as “first of all”, “the
author assumes “, and “the author fails o consider.”)
• In conclusion, the author (state the author’s purpose). I agree the (state the arguments of the
author with which you agree). However, (state your major arguments) (Insert your strong
closing statement)