WRITING THE POSITION PAPER

Lesson Objectives:

1. Define what a position paper is.

2. Determine the parts of a position
paper.
3. Identify the purposes of writing
position paper.
Reference:
4. Valdez, P. English for Academic and Professional
Purposes. The Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
 MOTIVE
A picture to ponder on
QUESTION

What is your stand

on giving
homework IN
FAVOR? Or
AGAINST? Why?
 WHY WRITE A POSITION PAPER?

• to publicize your opinion

• to summarize your research

• to improve your writing skills

• a very helpful guide for your speech

Source: Libalib, A. C. (n. d.)from slideshare.net

 GROUP ACTIVITY (original group)
Direction: From the following list of topics, think
of an issue that can be the subject of a position
paper.
Ex. Topic: Dress code
Issue: Implementing a dress code in
the school
TOPICS ISSUE
Recyclable bags
Tablets and Smartphones
English Only Policy
 QUESTIONS TO ANSWER FROM THE
ACTIVITY
1. What can you say about the topics
presented?

2. What about the issues formulated

from the topics?

3. What is a position paper?

 POSITION PAPER
• discussion on one side of an issue
• significant issue of a community on
which the author takes a stand
• convince readers to take the author’s
position, credible evidences needs to be
presented
• the issue is similar to the topic
sentence- central concept up for
contention
• negative and positive sides of an issue
 PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER
1. issue

2. argumentative thesis

3. claims

4. evidence
 1. ISSUE

- is developed into an argumentative

thesis that states the stand of the
author on the issue
Example: (shaded red)
The The establishment
establishment of of condominiumsnear
condominiums
near
universities shouldshould
be be prohibited
prohibited because
universities risks it poses to
of the risks it poses to public safety and
public
safety
the and the environment
environme (Valdez, 2016).
 2. ARGUMENTATIVE THESIS

- is the part where the issue is

stated

Example:
(same example as on the issue
focusing on the blue shaded word)
 3. CLAIMS

- are statements that support the

author’s stand. In the previous
example, the author cite risks to
public safety and the environment
as points that strengthen his/her
stand (green shaded words).
 4. EVIDENCE

- is the proof to strengthen the author’s

claims (violet-shaded words example)
a. evidence from surveys, library research,
and experiments
b. evidence from informant interviews(those
who have direct experience)
c. evidence from expert interviews
 PAIRWORK
1. With the group, conduct a short interview
with a member of a hospital, church,
barangay centre, faculty member or any
employee in the school.
2. Find out specific problem/s that persists in
the community/institution and formulate an
issue, argument, claims, and evidence/s.
3. Present your output in the class.
4. Ten-minute activity.
 QUESTIONS TO ANSWER
1. Name of the person you interviewed and his
designation?
2. What specific problem that persists in his community?
3. Identify the issue you formulated.
4. What is your stand on the issue?
5. Did you cite claims or sources in bringing up the
issue/s?
6. What proof would you give to strengthen your claim/s?
7. How the issue/s affect you personally?
 SESSION B

Determine the thesis statement

from the given issue, stand, and
claim.
 WRITING THE POSITION PAPER

Lesson Objective:
1. Determine the thesis statement of
the given issue, stand, and claims.
2. Provide thesis statement examples
and answer the activity given.
Reference:
Valdez, P. 2016. EAPP, p. 68-69
 LESSON RECAP

• What is a position paper?

•Identify the four parts of a

position paper and its meaning.
 GIVEN THE ISSUE, STAND, CLAIMS, WRITE
YOUR THESIS STATEMENT.
Example:
ISSUE: Cycling to commute to work or school
STAND: In favour
CLAIMS: Health benefits, saves money
THESIS STATEMENT: Cycling as a mode of
transport should be promoted since it has several
health benefits. It can help save non-renewable
resources and can be financially rewarding.
 1.

ISSUE: Implementing the K to 12 education

system in the Philippines.
STAND: Against
CLAIMS: Lack of facilities, inadequacy of
teacher training, increased expenses of
parents

THESIS STATEMENT: ______________________

 2.

ISSUE: Political dynasties

STAND: Against
CLAIMS: Monopolized power in public
office, possibility of corruption,
crowding of democratic choices
THESIS STATEMENT:
__________________
 3.
ISSUE: Use of social media websites in
school
STAND: In favour
CLAIMS: Speed in spreading
news/announcements, possible venue to air
concerns, classroom applications

THESIS SATATEMENT: ______________________

 4.

ISSUE: Industries in the Philippines

STAND: In favour
CLAIMS: Economic state of the country,
resources including manpower, pollution

THESIS STATEMENT:
_______________________
 POSSIBLE ANSWERS OF THE GIVEN ACTIVITIES

1. The implementation of the K to 12

Program has to be stopped from
education schools as soon as
possible due to the lack of
facilities, inadequacy of teacher
training, and the increased
expenses of parents.
 POSSIBLE ANSWER #2

Political dynasty in the Philippines

has to be abolished because it just
gives political dominance,
possibility of corruption, enriching
themselves, and crowding of
democratic choices among others.
 POSSIBLE ANSWER #3

The use of social media web sites in

all public schools in the Philippines
should be given due priorities to
speed up news/announcements,
classroom applications, and
improve teaching-learning process.
 POSSIBLE ANSWER #4

The many industries the Philippine

has, the good for the country
and its people for economic
growth and maintains high
employment rate.
 ASSIGNMENT

Individual writing.
1. Identify situation/s in which a
position paper may be
effectively used in our society.
2. ½ sheet of paper.