English for Academic and

Professional Purposes (EAPP)

QUARTER 2 – LESSON 2:
Writing a Position Paper

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 LET’S DISCOVER!

Photo Source: https://ncte.org/blog/2018/08/helping-college-students-write-better-sentences/

Just like an argument paper, a position paper supports one side of an issue, similar to in a
debate. Your goal will be to provide convincing evidence to the reader that your position is the correct
stance to take on an issue. You can write a great position paper by choosing your position carefully,
developing your argument, drafting your paper, and revising and editing your work.
In this part of the module, you will learn to critically evaluate issues, use factual evidences and
consequently pose convincing stand through a well-crafted position paper. So, have fun and
maximize your speaking potential.

In this module, you will be able to:

 Defend a stand on an issue by presenting reasonable arguments supported by properly cited
evidences (CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIa-d-4)
 Write various kinds of position paper (CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIa-d-5)

Specifically, you are expected to:

 Defend a stand on an issue by presenting reasonable arguments supported by properly cited
factual evidences.
 Writing various position papers

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 PRETEST

Before we start with our learning journey, let us answer the following questions to check your
prior knowledge on the topic that will be discussed in this module.

Name: ________________________________________________Score: _________________

Section: ______________________________________________ Date: _________________

Instructions: Identify the term being described from the statements below. Write T if the statement
is true and write F if otherwise. Write your answers in your notebook.

_______1. Persuasion writing appeals to the reader’s emotion.

_______2. Advertisements use persuasion.

_______3. Using persuasion will ask someone to take action after believing what this speaker has
said.

_______ 4. Argumentation uses logic and evidences in making a claim.

_______ 5. Science and law use argumentation.
_______ 6. An introduction elaborates details of the writers’ position.
_______ 7. The conclusion reiterates the statement in the introduction.
_______ 8. The body of the paper is the largest part.
_______ 9. A thesis is an essential one-sentence part of the essay.
_______ 10. Writers need to exhaust ideas through extensive gathering of information from different
sources.

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 LET’S WARM UP!
Activity 1: “What I KNOW About”
Identify what are the items being described in the sentences below. These words are important
in presenting arguments. Write your answer on the space provided for. Choose from the words inside
the box. So, be ready for vocabulary work.

Factual Argument Defense Persuade Opinion

Issue Reason Claim Evidence Counterclaim

1. It is a statement of reasons; facts intended to support a point of view.

2. A sufficient ground of explanation or logical defense to explain a fact.
3. It is restricted and is based on facts.
4. It is the point at which an unsettled matter is ready for a decision
5. An action or words to resist an attack.
6. It is to cause someone to believe about something through consistent effort of convincing.
7. These are facts or information as proof whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
8. This view or judgment about something is formed not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
9. This is purposely made to rebut a previous claim.
10. An assertion of the truth of something, typically one that is disputed or in doubt.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
There are two basics 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.

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2. Argumentation relies on logic and evidence to build a case for a specific claim. Argumentation de-
emphasizes appeals to emotion.

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

Writing a Position Paper and Defending a Stance on an Issue

You have learned that a position paper presents an arguable opinion about an issue. Your goal
as the writer is to convince the audience that your opinion or stand or claim is valid and worth
listening to. It is important to support your argument or reason with evidence to ensure the validity of
your claims. The best way to defend your stand is to provide supporting evidence which includes the
following:
 Factual Knowledge – information that is verifiable and agreed upon by almost everyone
 Statistical Inferences – interpretation and examples of an accumulation of facts
 Informed Opinion – opinion developed through research and/or expertise of the claim
 Personal Testimony – personal experience related by a knowledgeable party.
In every claim, there is always a counterclaim. A counterclaim is just the opposite of a
claim. When your claim says, “I want a new cellphone.” But then your Mother said, “'No, you don't.”
This is your mom's counterclaim. Counterclaims are also provable and supportable by reasons and
evidence. Just when your Mother proves by saying, ’Your current situation does not require a new
cell phone.’

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 All of these essential parts play an important role in writing a position paper. The outline
below will help you organized your ideas in one coherent composition.
Position Paper Outline
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the issue.
B. Provide background on the issue.
C. Provide thesis statement on your stand of the issue.
II. Body (the arguments/reasons)
A. Argument #1 of your claims
1. Give your opinion
2. Provide supporting evidence
B. Argument #2 of your claims
1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide support evidence.

C. Argument #3 of your claims

1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide support evidence.
D. Provide counterarguments against possible weaknesses of your arguments.
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your argument.
B. Provide a plan of action.

A few reminders before writing a position paper!

 Choose an issue that is debatable, current and relevant.
 Conduct an in-depth research on the issue.
 Explain the issue and analyze it objectively.
 Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
 Cite valid and reliable source.
 Limit your position paper to 2 pages.
 Analyze your target audience and align your arguments to their beliefs, needs, interest
and motivation.
 Use active voice as much as possible to achieve a dynamic and firm tone.

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 LET’S PRACTICE!

Activity 2: 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
https://k12.thoughtfullearning.com/minilesson/distinguishing-argumentation-persuasion

Activity 3: “My Community”

Copy the table below in your notebook and list at least three (3) issues/situations in the
society and state your opinion, stand about these issues by providing evidences/reasons.

ISSUES IN THE STAND/ OPINION EVIDENCES/REASONS

COMMUNITY
(e.g.) NO facemask NO Wearing mask in  Avoid virus
entry in all establishment must contagion
establishments be strictly observed.  Discipline is
imposed

Teacher’s Notes:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

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 Evaluating a Position Paper Sample

A Position Paper of Drug Testing of High School and College

Students

Drug testing is a way to evaluate the type and the possibly the amount
of legal and especially for illegal drugs substances taken by a person.
Drug testing can be performed from small samples taken of your
The writer
fingernails, saliva, or more commonly, your blood, urine, or hair.
sets up the Almost 10 percent of the nation’s teens report the use of illicit drugs
issue The writer
within the last month. The drug testing in high school and college
students is an important and ultimately one of the best solutions made his/her opinion
by the government officials to reduce and stop the increasing amount
of young drug users in schools, universities, and state colleges. The writer
Schools have made the policy of random drug testing on students to provides little
serves as a warning to not get into peer pressure. Because I believe background
“a friend in deed won’t make you smoke that weed.”

Drug testing in school has resulted in accurate, powerful and a

The writer positive outcome in attempting to reduce the amount of young drug
presents users in school. The purpose of drug testing is not to catch whose
using an illegal drug, but to prevent them from using it in the first The writer gives
opposing
place. Surely, there should be action taken to punish those criminals. explanation
points The current method to attack drugs is at the source, by imprisoning about his/ her
dealers and breaking the supply chain is not so succeeding. Why drug
opinion
testing is so important and necessary to be implemented, because it is
important to protect teenagers at the age were, they’re easily get
influenced by the peers and at the time when their attitude to
The writer education greatly affects their entire lives. The writer ends
presents with an appeal
suggestion to Some sacrifice of human rights is necessary to eliminate the drug by providing its
solve problem problem. Drug testing is a simple mechanism for examining the advantages
human body because there is a multiple option of detecting it by
on drug supplying urine, hair, or simply a breath. These small samples help to
addiction detect the common drugs like methamphetamines, cocaine, and
among heroin. Also, if you know that you are not breaking the law then there’s
nothing to fear of.
students
https://www.academia.edu/35946977/
A_Position_Paper_of_Drug_Testing_of_High_School_and_College_S
tudents

Remember!
The activities that are important to make a convincing stand.
A. Identify the issue
B. Make a stand
C. Formulate your thesis statement about your stand on the issue you have identified.
D. Do research and readings to gather information that will be used as evidences.
E. Present an effective argument

The basic parts of a position paper are as follows:

Introduction - Identification of the issue and background and the statement of the position.

Body - Description of the argument

Presentation of facts and evidences

Conclusion - Restatement of main points and summarizes arguments

Suggestion of the course of action or possible solutions

Taking a stand about an issue will empower someone to change the opinions and attitudes of
others. Thus, in bringing about societal change the challenge is to be firm in making a stand.

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Activity 3: “Note Details”
Read this essay and identify the stand/ reasons of the writer. Use your learned skill in
annotating a text. Follow the steps given for you. Write your answers in your notebook.

Step 1. Identify the parts and write your comments of each on the sides of the article.
Step 2. Box in the main points/ claims that you can find.
Step 3. Underline the reasons/ evidences that support the claim.

As online learning becomes more common and more and more resources are converted to
digital form, some people have suggested that public libraries should be shut down and, in
their place, everyone should be given an iPad with an e-reader subscription.

Proponents of this idea state that it will save local cities and towns money because libraries
are expensive to maintain. They also believe it will encourage more people to read because
they won’t have to travel to a library to get a book; they can simply click on what they want to
read and read it from wherever they are. They could also access more materials because
libraries won’t have to buy physical copies of books; they can simply rent out as many digital
copies as they need.

However, it would be a serious mistake to replace libraries with tablets. First, digital books
and resources are associated with less learning and more problems than print resources. A
study done on tablet vs book reading found that people read 20-30% slower on tablets, retain
20% less information, and understand 10% less of what they read compared to people who
read the same information in print. Additionally, staring too long at a screen has been shown
to cause numerous health problems, including blurred vision, dizziness, dry eyes,
headaches, and eye strain, at much higher instances than reading print does. People who
use tablets and mobile devices excessively also have a higher incidence of more serious
health issues such as fibromyalgia, shoulder and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and
muscle strain. I know that whenever I read from my e-reader for too long, my eyes begin to
feel tired and my neck hurts. We should not add to these problems by giving people,
especially young people, more reasons to look at screens.

Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that the only service libraries offer is book
lending. Libraries have a multitude of benefits, and many are only available if the library has
a physical location. Some of these benefits include acting as a quiet study space, giving
people a way to converse with their neighbors, holding classes on a variety of topics,
providing jobs, answering patron questions, and keeping the community connected. One
neighborhood found that, after a local library instituted community events such as play times
for toddlers and parents, job fairs for teenagers, and meeting spaces for senior citizens, over
a third of residents reported feeling more connected to their community. Similarly, a Pew
survey conducted in 2015 found that nearly two-thirds of American adults feel that closing
their local library would have a major impact on their community. People see libraries as a
way to connect with others and get their questions answered, benefits tablets can’t offer
nearly as well or as easily.

While replacing libraries with tablets may seem like a simple solution, it would encourage
people to spend even more time looking at digital screens, despite the myriad issues
surrounding them. It would also end access to many of the benefits of libraries that people
have come to rely on. In many areas, libraries are such an important part of the community
network that they could never be replaced by a simple object.

Accessed from :https://blog.prepscholar.com/argumentative-essay-examples

Teacher’s Notes:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

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Activity 4: “Use It”
Read this sample position paper and identify the stand/ reasons of the writer. Use the
reading guide provided for to facilitate better understanding of the paper. Use the template
below to make your own position paper.

READING GUIDE
Please identify the following:

Position Paper’s Topic/ Issue:

___________________________________________________________

Evidences/ Reasons:
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Call for action/ Solution:

___________________________________________________________

Sample Position Paper

Should Homework be Mandatory?

I can almost see many students nodding along with me as I ask this question. Younger generations
overloaded with home tasks and numerous assignments have already raised this issue many times.
Yet, homework remains mandatory.
Is it fair or should it be cancelled?
I believe that homework should not be viewed as a mandatory part of education for several reasons.
First, children spend seven hours every single work day at school. That is a huge chunk of life, and with
homework added on top of these hours, a child is left with no time to live his life to the fullest, socialize, or grow
in other areas.
Second, sitting at your desk solving problems does no good to your health. Kids need time to get
outside and have some fun, join a football league, or ride their bikes with friends around the block. Otherwise,
children will be very smart but surprisingly weak physically.
Another argument against this position is that homework is not always the best way to obtain
knowledge quality-wise. Students tend to ask their parents or siblings for help whenever facing difficulties.
Busy parents not always willing to spend extra time explaining school material to their little one solve the
problems themselves aiming to have more time for family, not lessons. As a result, the child will have the
homework done. But that’s really not his work. So, the whole idea of dedicating time to self-education is lost
here.
Finally, knowing that after classes you would still have to work at home makes a kid less concentrated
at school. This results in short attention spans and difficulty to concentrate on something for too long.
All in all, homework should rather be an option. Students understanding that they are left behind at
some subjects will take their time to go over the material at home. However, in other cases, they should have
time after school for other activities.
Accessed from: (https://chiefessays.net/position-essay-examples-to-help-you-grasp-the-idea/)

Teacher’s Notes:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 5: “My Own Position Paper”

From the issues listed below, choose one (1) to work on to develop into a position paper.
Second, do some researching/reading to gather information. Third, defend your stand by writing a
position paper with the intention of convincing your reader to support your stand. Refer to the rubric
on page 37. Write your position paper on a sheet of paper.
List of Issues:
Online Classes Among Public Schools Students
Curfew Among Minors
Community Lockdown
Government Funds Distribution
Cyber Bullying
________________________________ (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 ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Teacher’s Notes:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

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RUBRIC IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER:
SCORE EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR POOR
CRITERION
4 3 2 1

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

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

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 POSTTEST
You are doing great! It is time for you to display your understanding of the topics in this
module.

Name: ________________________________________________Score: _________________

Section: _______________________________________________Date: __________________

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.
_______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 written form that de-emphasizes appeal to emotion
_______10. An element of position paper which includes
personal experiences to illustrate a position.

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