Sei sulla pagina 1di 24

Writing a University Position

Paper
Competencies:
The learner…
1. defines what a position CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIa-d-1
paper is

2.identifies situations in which a


position paper may be effectively CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIa-d-2
used in our present society
Activity: Modified version of the boat is sinking:

1. A picture will be shown to you and you have to take


side whether you are Pro or Anti (if pro take a specific
sides whether you are Pro with reservation or
Pro 100%)

2. The group will vote their speaker of the house to


react and take position of the topic

3. In taking position/stand point on the topic: the


teacher will choose the following:
a. What I know about the topic
b. What I feel about the topic
c. What I can do about the topic
What did you learn in the activity?

What is it important to take a position?

What do you need to do when taking a


position?

What are the elements in making


position/stand point
A position paper is a kind of academic
writing in which the student researches a
controversial issue and writes a paper
that explains his/her stand or viewpoint
on it.
The main goal of a position paper is to take
part in the larger debate on the issue by
stating and supporting your opinion or
recommended course of action. The student is
required to research other papers on the
issue, analyze them in depth, and formulate
his/her own argument on the matter.
Like a debate, 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
Your job is to take one side of the
argument and persuade your audience
that you have well-founded knowledge of
the topic being presented. It is important
to support your argument with evidence
to ensure the validity of your claims, as
well as to refute the counterclaims to
show that you are well informed about
both sides.
Issue Criteria

1. Is it a real issue, with genuine


controversy and uncertainty?

2. Can you identify at least two


distinctive positions?
3. Are you personally interested in advocating
one of these positions?

4. Is the scope of the


issue narrow enough to
be manageable?
Type of Information Type of Source How to find these sources

directories,
introductory information
encyclopedias, Use the Library catalogue
and overviews
handbooks

books, government Library catalogue, Canadian Research


in-depth studies
reports Index, Government web sites

scholarly articles academic journals Article indexes

current issues newspapers, magazines Article indexes

government agencies Statistics Canada, Canadian Research


statistics
and associations Index, journal articles

position papers and association and institute


Library catalogue, web sites
analyses reports
In determining your viewpoint, ask yourself the following:

1. Is your position/argument interesting? Remember that


originality counts. Be aware that your professor/TA will
probably read a number of essays on the same topic(s), so
any paper that is inventive and original will not only stand
out but will also be appreciated.
2. Do you have enough material or proof to support
your opinion?

3. Does your topic assert something


specific, prove it, and where applicable,
propose a plan of action?
Organization and Outline

I. Introduction
___A. Introduce the topic

___B. Provide background on the topic to explain


why it is important that the audience/reader must
believe in your argument

___C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue).


II. Argument

___A. Assert point #1 of your claims


_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one
source
___B. Assert point #2 of your claims
_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one
source
___C. Assert point #3 of your claims
_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one
source
III. Conclusion
___A. Restate your argument
___B. Provide a plan of action but do not
introduce new information
Example of a position paper
refer separate file
Application
Write a Position paper on
“Through Science, Humans
changed the Earth
(better or worse?)”

specification:
-intro, thesis and position
-3 claims
-conclusion

Potrebbero piacerti anche