Module 15

The Documented Position Paper

This module will help students understands the principles and uses of a position paper
At the end of this module, students are expected to:

1. defines what a position paper is

2. identifies situations in which a position paper may be effectively used in our present society
3. statement of principles and reasons for establishing a student organization, coming up with
a group exhibit of creative works, etc.
4. gathers manifestoes and analyzes the arguments used by the writer/s
5. defends a stand on an issue by presenting reasonable arguments supported by properly
cited factual evidences
6. writes various kinds of position papers

• presents the writer’s stand or viewpoint on a particular issue

• entails outlining arguments and proposing the course of action
• can be an essential tool in bringing societal change because writing position paper gives you the power to
change the opinions and attitude of others.
Parts of Position Paper
1. Introduction

• Start with an introduction which presents the issue while grabbing the attention of readers.
• Define the issues and discuss its background.
• Provide a general statement of your position via your thesis statement.

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3. Conclusion
• Restate your position and arguments.
• Suggest a course of action.
• State what makes your position superior and more acceptable.
• End with a powerful closing statements such as a quotation, a challenge or a question.

Guidelines in writing:

Select a Topic for Your Paper

Your position paper centres on a topic that is supported by research. Your topic and position have to hold up when
challenged, so it's helpful to research a few topics and pick the one you can best argue, even if it may not reflect
your personal beliefs. In many cases, the subject matter and your topic are not as important as your ability to make
a strong case. Your topic can be simple or complex, but your argument must be sound and logical.

Conduct Preliminary Research

Preliminary research is necessary to determine whether sufficient evidence is available to back up your stance. You
don’t want to get too attached to a topic that falls apart under a challenge.

Search a few reputable sites, like education (.edu) sites and government (.gov) sites, to find professional studies
and statistics. If you come up with nothing after an hour of searching, or if you find that your position doesn’t
stand up to the findings on reputable sites, choose another topic. This could save you from a lot of frustration
later.

Challenge Your Own Topic

You must know the opposite view as well as you know your own stance when you take a position. Take the time to
determine all the possible challenges that you might face as you support your view. Your position paper must
address the opposing view and chip away at it with counter-evidence. Consider having friends, colleagues, or
family debate the topic with you to get alternative points of view that you might not have readily considered
yourself. When you find arguments for the other side of your position, you can address them in a fair manner, and
then state why they are not sound.

Another helpful exercise is to draw a line down the middle of a plain sheet of paper and list your points on one side
and list opposing points on the other side. Which argument is really better? If it looks like your opposition might
outnumber you with valid points, you should reconsider your topic or your stance on the topic.

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Continue to Collect Supporting Evidence

Once you’ve determined that your position is supportable and the opposite position is (in your opinion) weaker
than your own, you are ready to branch out with your research. Go to a library and conduct a search, or ask the
reference librarian to help you find more sources. You can, of course, conduct online research as well, but it's
important to know how to properly vet the validity of the sources you use. Ensure that your articles are written by
reputable sources, and be wary of singular sources that differ from the norm, as these are often subjective rather
than factual in nature.

Try to collect a variety of sources, and include both an expert’s opinion (doctor, lawyer, or professor, for example)
and personal experience (from a friend or family member) that can add an emotional appeal to your topic. These
statements should support your own position but should read differently than your own words. The point of these
is to add depth to your argument or provide anecdotal support.

Create an Outline

A position paper can be arranged in the following format:

1. Introduce your topic with some basic background information. Build up to your thesis sentence, which asserts
your position. Sample points:

 For decades, the FDA has required that warning labels should be placed on certain products that pose a
threat to public health.
 Fast food restaurants are bad for our health.
 Fast food packages should contain warning labels.

2. Introduce possible objections to your position. Sample points:

 Such labels would affect the profits of major corporations.

 Many people would see this as overreaching government control.
 Whose job is it to determine which restaurants are bad? Who draws the line?
 The program would be costly.

3. Support and acknowledge the opposing points. Just be sure you aren't discrediting your own views. Sample
points:

 It would be difficult and expensive for any entity to determine which restaurants should adhere to the
policy.
 Nobody wants to see the government overstepping its boundaries.
 Funding would fall on the shoulders of taxpayers.

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4. Explain that your position is still the best one, despite the strength of counter-arguments. This is where you can
work to discredit some of the counter-arguments and support your own. Sample points:

The cost would be countered by the improvement of public health.

Restaurants might improve the standards of food if warning labels were put into place.
One role of the government is to keep citizens safe.
The government already does this with drugs and cigarettes.
5. Summarize your argument and restate your position. End your paper focusing on your argument and avoid the
counter-arguments. You want your audience to walk away with your view on the topic being one that resonates
with them.

When you write a position paper, write with confidence and state your opinion with authority. After all, your goal
is to demonstrate that your position is the correct one.

Example Thesis Statement:

Name: _____________________________________________ Rating: ______________

Grade and Section: _____________ Subject Teacher: ___________________

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Module 15
The Documented Position
Paper

PERFORMANCE TASK AND WRITTEN WORK

Writing Position Paper

Instructions:
1. Choose a topic given below for your position/argumentative essay.
Topic #1: Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this
outweigh the disadvantages?
Topic #2: Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important
because life will be easier if there were few languages in the world. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this opinion?
2. Follow the rubrics given as your guide on the basis of the grade.
3. Your paper should have at least 250 words following the structure of a good position
paper.

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RUBRICS FOR WRITING A DOCUMENTED POSITION PAPER

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(10 points) (7 points) (5 points) Improvement Earned
(3 point)
THE ARGUMENT Clearly states an Makes an Arguable claim Doesn’t state
arguable claim. arguable claim is confused what the
Proposes a but does not and/or unclear. argument or
solution, course propose a claim is.
of action, or a solution, or a new
new way to approach to the
approach the topic.
topic.
INTRODUCTION Well-developed Introductory Introduction Thesis and/or
Background/History introductory paragraph states the thesis problem is vague
Define the Problem paragraph contains some but does not or unclear.
Thesis Statement contains detailed background adequately Background
background information and explain the details are a
information or states the background of seemingly
definition of the problem, but the problem. random collection
problem, and a does not explain The problem is of information,
thesis statement using details. stated, but lack unclear, or not
States the thesis details. related to the
of the following topic.
paper.
CONCLUSION Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion does
summarizes the summarizes main summarizes not adequately
main topic topics. Some main topics, but summarize the
without repeating suggestions for is repetitive. No main point. No
previous change are suggestions for suggestions for
sentences; evident. change and/or change or
writer’s opinions opinions are opinions are
and suggestions included. included.
for change are
logical and well
thought out.
MAIN POINTS Three or more Three or more Three or more Less than three
Body Paragraphs main points are main points are main points, but main points, with
Refutation well developed present but may all lack poor
with supporting lack detail and development. development of
details. development in Refutation ideas. Refutation
Refutation one or two. paragraph missing or vague.
paragraph Refutation missing and/or
acknowledges the paragraph vague.
opposing views, acknowledges the
and summarizes opposing view,
their main points but doesn't
summarize
points.

All source All source All sources are Lacks sources

material is used material is used. accurately and/or sources

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 USE OF SOURCES and smoothly All sources are documented, are not accurately EAPP
Documentation integrated into accurately but many are documented.
the text. All documented, but not in the Incorrect format
sources are a few are not in desired format is used.
accurately the desired on the Works Sources are not
documented and format on the Cited page. relevant nor
in the desired Works Cited Some sources reliable.
format on the page. are relevant and
Works Cited Most sources are reliable.
page. relevant and
All sources are reliable.
relevant and
reliable.

SENTENCE The writer treats The writer uses Some unclear or Many unclear or
PRECISION the subject some informal confused incomplete
Sentence Clarity seriously using language and sentences; the sentences.
formal language. slang. Most writer shifts
All sentences are sentences are person
complete, complete, throughout the
accurate, and accurate and essay or uses
clear; the writer clear; there is an "you" and "I"
controls the point occasional use of frequently.
of view "you" in the
appropriately. essay, indicating a
lack of revision or
control.
MECHANICS Punctuation and Sentence Work contains Work contains
Punctuation & capitalization are structure is structural multiple incorrect
Capitalization correct. generally correct. weaknesses and sentence
Some awkward grammatical structures. There
sentences do errors. There are four or more
appear. There are are three or four errors in
one or two errors errors in punctuation
in punctuation punctuation and/or
and/or and/or capitalization.
capitalization. capitalization.

Total Score _____/70

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Bibliography
Dadufalza, Concepcion D. 1996. Reading into Writing 2. Philippines: Bookmark,Inc.
Ramage, John, John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2006. The Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing. USA: Pearson
Education, Inc.
Saqueton, Grace M and Uychoco, Marikit Tara Alto. 2016. English for Academic and Professional Purposes. Rex
Bookstore, Samplaoc Manila.