ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND

PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
PREPARED BY: MR. RAYMUND CHRISTOPHER L. CARBON
Writing a Position
Paper
 LESSON OBJECTIVES
Within the given time period, you are
expected to:
Identify the features of an effective position
paper.
Use transitions to connect ideas.
Write an effective position paper
 TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
• Transitional devices are words or phrases
that help carry a thought from one sentence
to another, from one idea to another, or from
one paragraph to another
• Link sentences and paragraphs together
smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps
or breaks between ideas.
 WHY USE TRANSITIONAL DEVICES?

They are cues that help the reader

interpret your ideas. Transitional words or
phrases help carry your thoughts forward
from one sentence to another and one
paragraph to another.
 POSITION PAPER
Presents an opinion and make a
claim or stand about an issue.
A stand supported by arguments
and evidences.
Its purpose is to generate
support on an issue.
 POSITION PAPER
A position paper presents one side of an
arguable opinion about an issue. The goal
of a position paper is to convince the
audience that your opinion is valid and
defensible. Ideas that you are considering
need to be carefully examined in choosing a
topic, developing your argument, and
organizing your paper.
WHAT ARE THE PURPOSES IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER?

1. to explain sensitive or controversial subject,

2. to criticize actions, decisions or situations,
3. to commend people or organizations for
doing things right,
4. to persuade people to follow a course of
actions, and
5. to propose a better solution to a problem or
issue.
 PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER

INTRODUCTION This part of the paper identifies

issue that is being discussed
(1 Paragraph –
by the author emphasizing his
around 20% of position about the issue . Here
the paper) the topic is introduce;
background and history of the
issue shall also be discussed.
 PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER

BODY Provide main arguments

containing 4 E‟s
(Evidence, Explanation,
(1 to 3
paragraphs –
Example, and Extra details).
around 60% of
the paper)
i. evidence provides facts and statistics to support your stand
ii. explanation provides reasons to support your evidences
iii. example provides a few statement for clearer information
iv. extra details provide quotes or statement of some experts
b. Provide counter arguments or opposing thought of your
stand.
c. Follow this pattern when presenting arguments through a
paragraph.
i. Stand – Weak point – Stand
ii. Weak point – Stand – Stand
iii. Stand – Stand – Weak point
 PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER

CONCLUSION a. Restate your position of the

issue.
b. Provide a plan of action or a
(1 paragraph –
around 20% of solution.
the paper) c. Make your ending statement
with views that would resonate
throughout the reader's lives.
ADDITIONAL TIPS IN WRITING A POSITION
PAPER
1. Present clearly your stand on the issue.
2. Make your introduction as interesting as possible to arouse
interest and gain support.
3. Use transitional devices to carry a thought from sentence to
another.
4. Observe grammar and mechanics (spelling, capitalization, and
punctuations)
5. Fact-finding and research the topic to gain more knowledge.
6. Present weak points of your argument but make sure your
claims are more substantial.
ADDITIONAL TIPS IN WRITING A POSITION
PAPER
7. Credit reliable sources for the credibility of your paper.
8. Cite laws or relevant principle in your main arguments, if
possible provide with statistics.
9. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal to evoke
readers.
10.Assert values that adhere to as a democratic country.
11. Restate your stand to conclude your paper.
12. Present your conclusion either to call for action or to
provide a solution.
 SAMPLE POSITION PAPER
(1) The youth is a strong force that
INTRODUCTION could face insurmountable
challenges. There are at least
23,400, 000 Filipino youth the
Philippines has today. These young
people can largely contribute in
community building.
WRITTEN BY MARVIN ENDERES
 (2) According to a 2013 survey conducted by
the University of the Philippines Population
Institute (UPPI) and Demographic Research
and Development Foundation (DRDF), almost
BODY
6,660,000 young Filipinos aged 15 to 25 are
alcoholics, 3,600,000 smokers, and
720,000 drug users. With these alarming
Argument statistics, how could the youth be agents of
(Counterclaims) community building? The Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) was not being given much
attention as it should. In fact, SK was already
abolished during the recent barangay
elections. All the more the youth will lack
representation in local governments.
 (3) Amid the sordid state that the Filipino
youth are in, we are still banking on Republic
Act 8044 or better known as the Youth in
BODY Nation Building Act. This is the same law that
established the National Youth Commission
(NYC) in 1994 in order to recognize the state's
Argument responsibility to enable the youth to fulfill
(Stand) their vital role in nation-building, promote
and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual and social well-being, and
inculcate in them patriotism and nationalism,
and encourage their involvement in public
and civic affairs.
 (4) The government has to mobilize the
NYC to make it known to the young so
BODY that they can actively participate in
youth-oriented initiatives. The
government has to also beef up the
Argument budget allocation for youth
(Stand) development and intensify campaigns
against drugs, smoking, alcoholism,
and other unhealthy or illegal vices,
which more often than not, are causes
of the country's rising crime rate.
 (5) With their vulnerable state, the
youth's stronghold is the support of
CONCLUSION the family, government, and
concerned sectors of society. Before
they can build a nation, the youth,
the youth has to be built on solid
grounds first. For them to become
community builders, themselves, the
youth must first build the foundation
of discipline.
 ASK YOURSELF
What is the relevance of
writing position paper?
 REVIEW
WHAT IS A POSITION PAPER?

A position paper presents one side of an

arguable opinion about an issue. The goal
of a position paper is to convince the
audience that your opinion is valid and
defensible.
 REVIEW
WHAT ARE THE PURPOSES IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER?

1. to explain sensitive or controversial subject,

2. to criticize actions, decisions or situations,
3. to commend people or organizations for
doing things right,
4. to persuade people to follow a course of actions,
and
5. to propose a better solution to a problem or
issue.
 PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER

Here the topic is introduce; background and

INTRODUCTION
history of the issue shall also be discussed.

Provide main arguments containing 4 E‟s

BODY (Evidence, Explanation,
Example, and Extra details).

CONCLUSION Summarize and conclude your argument

 Because thereafter such as after indeed
but despite while and since
Finally which
Tears well-up her eyes, excitement trickled all over her frail body,
cold (1) _____ shaking 62-year old hands proudly received the
certificate of completion for Junior High School. From across the
stage, smiles creased the face of her classmates, (2) ______ her
mentors raised their hands clapping, „we're-so-proud of-you-nanay‟
expression overflowed as this Opsimath (a person who continues to
study or learn later in life) (3) _______ made it through high school
last 2016.
 Because thereafter such as after indeed
but despite while and since
Finally which
Rebecca C. Vinoya is a mother of ten. She stopped elementary
education (4)_________ of financial constraint. She has been a lady
guard (5) ______ 2004 at J. V. Ferriols National High School in 3rd
district. Upon knowing ADM (Alternative Delivery Mode), a flexible
curriculum that provides time frame establishing clear and realistic
objectives, her husband prodded her to continue high school
(6) _______. She was monitored and given self-learning modules
(SLMs) (7) _______ learner's materials, textbooks, activity sheets
study guides and other study materials.
Because thereafter such as after indeed
but despite while and since
Finally which
“Sa akong edad karon, gusto pa nako makabalo ug daghang
butang. Paminaw nako daghan pa kog dapat mahibaw-an.
Gusto pud ko mahimo nga modelo sa akong kawhaag pito
(27) ka mga apo ug mga out-of-school youth sa among lugar.
Ang edukasyon, mao kini ang tinuod nga bulawan sa
kalibutan na walay laing maka kuha sa imo niini,” said Nanay
Vinoya (8) _________ she received her certificate on stage.
Because thereafter such as after indeed
but despite while and since
Finally which

(9) ___________, her desire for learning is admirable,

an indication of her willingness towards a strong desire
for learning. (10) __________ her age, she does not
falter to materialize aspirations!
 CORRECT ANSWERS

1.And 6. thereafter
2.Which 7. such as
3.Finally 8. after
4.Because 9. indeed
5.Since 10. despite
 GROUP ACTIVITY

Directions: On a 1 whole sheet of paper write

a position paper showing your arguments
about the stand of the issue. Follow the
guidelines and tips in outlining your stand.
Choose only ONE among the following
situations.
 ASSIGNMENT

Disagree from the excerpt “Phase Out the

Obsolete Jeepney by: Neal H. Cruz” and
write your position on why jeepney
modernization should not be implemented.
Make at least five (5) paragraphs. See the
rubric for you to be guided. Use 1 whole
sheet of paper