R I T I N G

W
T H E
S I T I O N
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 WHAT IS A
Key POSITION PAPER?
-a position paper is an essay that
Points
expresses a position on an issue. It gives
arguments that support the opinion of
the writer based on the facts collected.
 steps to develop
your position paper
1.Introduction
2.Body
3.Conclusion
 steps to develop your
position paper
1. Introduction
-In this part you must introduce the
topic, and then provide history or
background ofthe issue. You may
also describe the issue on-hand so
do your research.
 steps to develop your
position paper
• Introduce the topic.
• Provide history or background
information.
• Describe the issue based on
research.
 steps to develop your
position paper
2. Body
-You must state the opposing
argument by briefly
describing them.
 steps to develop your
position paper
2. Body
-You may also include details that
support the opposing claim. Then,
after writing the counter argument,
now write your argument and give
your point of view.
 steps to develop your
position paper
2. Body
-Provide evidence that support your
claim. Now you state your second
argument followed by your third
argument. Make sure to provide
details that support the argument
 steps to develop your
position paper
3. Conclusion
-You can restate both sides of the
argument, summarize the three
arguments made in your essay.
Lastly, provide a call for action.
 The Effects of
Technology
-Ortonwhat
Imagine Taylor
it was like in
1973, when the first cell phone was
invented. Back then it was a novelty
and a luxury to have a futuristic
technological device that could keep
you connected to the rest of the world
24 hours a day.
 In that time, one would never
believe that in just a few decades, the
world would be overrun by technological
devices such as cell phones. Today,
technology is an integral, commonplace
part of everyone’s lives, however
technology doesn’t just include cell
phones, it encompasses computers, the
internet, videogames, television, movies,
and practically anything with a screen.
 Many people can’t live without
these forms of technology, and many
people praise their ability to make our
lives easier. However, they are doing
more harm than good, especially on
youth. Technology is negatively
affecting America’s youth because it is
destroying social skills and causing a
dependency on constant stimulation.
 The first reason
technology negatively impacts
youth is because it is destroying
social skills. Many people believe
that it has the reverse effect, and
that it enables people to always
keep in contact with their friends
and family through texting or
social media sites such as
 However, this interaction
is very impersonal and the result
of this is that children are not
developing crucial social skills.
Hilary Stout of The New York Times
reported that “Americans between
the ages of 8 and 18 spend on
average 7 1/2 hours a day using
some sort of electronic device”
 It is shocking to think that
that is nearly one third of an entire
day. In these hours and hours young
people spend on various modes of
technology, they are sacrificing face
to face contact and verbal
conversations in the real world. Dr.
Ortega, a child psychologist at New
York’s Child Mind Institute, sums up
why this is such a problem.
 Ortega reports that the
overuse of technology is causing
children to lose their ability to
read body language and facial
cues, resulting in an inability to
keep up casual conversations or
engage in the art of small talk
(Bindley, 2011, p. 2).
 Because kids can check their
phone for new texts or play a
mindless game as a strategy to
avoid making eye contact with or
talking to the people around
them, they are literally losing the
ability to converse with people in
the real world.
 No amount of good that
comes from technology can make
the fact that our children are
losing their social skills
acceptable.
The second reason technology
negatively impacts youth is because it
causes a dependency on constant
stimulation. This is especially alarming
when it comes to young children.
 At this young age, these
children’s minds are still developing.
They are learning how to entertain
themselves, how to problem solve,
and how to be patient and wait for
things. How can children develop
these skills when their parents are
constantly stimulating them with TV
shows, movies and cell phone
games?
 Many people believe that
these forms of technology are a
valuable teaching tool;
however, they are teaching
young people more bad habits
than good. The worst habit of
all is a dependency on constant
stimulation.
 This dependency is caused
by an actual physiological
process that happens when
children use electronics, and
Dr. Sigman, a leading child
psychologist, explains why.
 He explains that dopamine, a
chemical in the brain that makes us
feel reward, is released when children
view electronic devices, and then
goes on to say that “this dopamine
being produced every single day for
many years, through for example
playing computer games, may
change the reward circuitry in a
child's brain and make them more
 What does this dependency
mean for the future of these children?
It means that they are desensitized
to dopamine from the constant
supply of it through screens and
technology, which causes an inability
to focus on something like a book or
a math problem that doesn’t give
them that super-stimulating effect. It
is frightening to see how future
 People will always argue that
technology offers so many
benefits in their day to day lives.
However, it is clear that it is more
detrimental than most people
realize. Technology is destroying
children’s social skills and
causing a dependency on
constant stimulation.
 Think about the future of
America’s children. What good is
having a smart phone with
endless knowledge at their
fingertips when they can’t get a
job due to an inability to keep up
casual conversation in an
interview?
 What favors are parents doing
for their children by shoving a
television in front of them the
second they get a little bored
instead of interacting with them and
helping them develop valuable
skills? The answer to both questions
is nothing. It does no good and no
favors to overuse technology in the
way that Americans are currently
 Just as the times are very
different 40 years ago when the first
cell phone came out to now,
imagine what the next 40 years will
bring when it comes to technology’s
role in young people and society in
general. In order to avoid the
frightening ramifications as
discussed throughout this paper,
changes must be made in our youth
 Sample Position Paper
Topic: The Effects of Technology
(by Orton Taylor)
• Introduction: Discusses the evolution
of technology.
• Argument 1: Technology negatively
impacts social skills.
• Argument 2: Technology creates
dependency on constant stimulation.
• Conclusion: Calls for changes in the
way technology is used by youth.
 Sample Position Paper
Topic: The Effects of Technology
(by Orton Taylor)
• Introduction: Discusses the evolution
of technology.
• Argument 1: Technology negatively
impacts social skills.
• Argument 2: Technology creates
dependency on constant stimulation.
• Conclusion: Calls for changes in the
way technology is used by youth.
 Activity
Read Smarter.

Read Smart Technology is

Here by Francis J. Kong and
answer the questions below.
Use a separate sheet of
paper.
 Activity
Read Smarter.

Read Smart Technology is Here by

Francis J. Kong and here is the link

https://www.philstar.com/business/
2018/06/24/1827252/smart-
technology-here
 Questions:

Answer the questions below. Use a

separate sheet of paper.

1.What is the opinion of the

writer about technology?
(State the writer ‘s position)
2. Do you agree with the writer?
Why?
Why not?
(Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in
agreeing or disagreeing with the
views of others.I agree with the
writer’s claim that… I don’t agree
with the authors ideas/
 3. State the first argument of
the writer?

The first argument of the writer

is....
4. What is the conclusion of the
writer?

(Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in

Drawing Conclusion Using the
Work ofOthers. Based on the
writer, a connection can be
5. If you were to write a position
paper what will be your stance
about technology?

(Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in

presenting your own point of
view… I strongly believe that...
I think/contend that…)
Activity 1.2 - Read Smarter, Read
Smart
Technology is Here (by Francis J.
Kong) Answer the following
questions:
1.What is the writer’s position
on technology?
 3. What is the first argument
presented by the writer?
4. What is the conclusion of the
writer?
5. What would be your stance if
you wrote a position paper on
technology?
 What I Have
Learned
Activity 1.3 Let’s Dig Deeper!
The position paper is an academic
writing in which viewpoints are
expressed. The goal of writing a position
paper is to convince the audience and
present valid arguments. Now, let’s
reflect what you have learned in this
lesson. Use a separate sheet.
 What I Have
Getting Deeper!Learned
Lesson: ________________________________
What I want to say about the lesson?
________________________________What
have I found out?
________________________________