PRINCIPLES IN WRITING A

POSITION PAPER
WEEK 13 & 14
Position Paper

 isan essay that expounds a standpoint of an author or

specified entity about an issue.
 The main objective of a position paper is to persuade the
readers with opinions that are valid and defensible
Position Paper

 Positionpapers are also used by large organizations to

make public the official beliefs and recommendations of
the group.
 The ideas that you have to consider should be thoroughly
examined.
Position Paper

 As a writer, it is your responsibility to take one side of the

argument and convince your readers that you have well-founded
knowledge on the issue being probed
 it is very relevant that you address all sides of the issue and present
it in a manner that can easily be understood by the audience.
What is an argument?

 In writing a position paper, an argument is used to

convince readers through logic and sound reasoning over
a problem or an issue.
 Inour daily undertaking, we use argument and
persuasion.
 In school, whenever we express our opinions about a specific
problem or scenario, we express our claims supported with
evidences just to convince our classmates that are contentions are
valid and true.
 Practically, we weigh the advantages and disadvantages before we
make our decisions.
 A written form of persuasion, like a position paper, becomes more
challenging for a writer because the readers do not see the writer’s
facial expressions, hear his voice and feel his presence
In writing a position paper, the writer must:

 outline and organize his standpoint on the issue or problem

 formally inform others of his position as jumpstart building resolutions
 provide a well-defined, logical, and unique methodology or approach to solving
the problem
 organize his discussion to define the framework of the scheme
 compose his credibility by illustrating a good command of the issue
and profound knowledge about it
 exhibit passion in expressing his arguments rather than in using his
emotional term
 be consistent in his position in the discussion
 credit his sources accurately
 Developing and Supporting an Argument

. Factual knowledge refers to the information/s that is valid and justifiable.

. Statistical inferences are conclusions derived from gathered data.
. Informed opinion is based on knowledge of facts that are carefully
considered. It is drawn from pieces of evidence instead of limited personal
experience.
. Personal testimony is considered a firsthand experience of the writer.
Parts of a Position Paper

 The Introduction
 The Body
 The Conclusion
 Parts of a Position Paper

I. Introduction
A. Introduction of the Topic
B. Background of the Topic
C. Thesis Statement
II. Body
A. The Counterclaim
✓ Summary of the Counterclaim
✓ Supporting Information for the Counterclaim
✓ Refuting the Counterclaim
✓ Giving pieces of evidence for the Argument
 Parts of a Position Paper
B. The Argument
✓ Assertion of Claim No. 1
a. Opinion
b. b. Support
✓ Assertion of Claim No. 2
c. Opinion
d. b. Support
✓ Assertion of Claim No. 3
e. Opinion
f. b. Support
Parts of a Position Paper

III. Conclusion
✓ Restating of Argument
✓ Providing Plan of Action