p a p e r

DEFINITION
A position paper is a type of academic writing that
presents one’s stand or viewpoint on a particular issue.
The main objective of writing a position paper is to take
part in a larger debate by stating your arguments and
proposed course of action.
INTRODUCTION
• Uses a lead that grabs the attention of readers.

• Defines the issue and provide a thorough background.

• Provides a general statement of your position through a thesis

statement.
BODY
• States your main arguments and provide sufficient evidence (e.g.,
statistics, interviews with experts, and testimonies) for each
argument.

• Provides counter arguments against possible weaknesses of your

arguments.
CONCLUSION
• Restates your position and main arguments.

• Suggests a course of action.

• Explains why your position is better than any other position.

• Ends with a powerful closing statement (e.g., a quotation, a challenge,

or a question).
 an

issue
1. The issue should be debatable. You cannot take any position if the
topic is not debatable.

2. The issue should be current and relevant.

3. The issue should be written in a question form and answerable by

yes or no.

4. The issue should be specific and manageable.

 Guideline s
writing a
POSITION PAPER
1. Begin the writing process with an in-depth research about the
issue at hand.

2. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain and
analyze them objectively.

3. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.

4. Establish your credibility by voting reliable sources.

5. Present a unique way of approaching the issue.

6. Limit your position. Paper to two pages.

7. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their

beliefs, needs, interests, and motivations.

8. Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and refute them

with evidence.
9. Define unfamiliar terms at first mention.

10. Use an active voice as much as possible. This will make your tone
dynamic and firm.

11. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or

deductive approach.

12. Check your pa0er for fallacies and revise accordingly.

13. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeals.

Guide Questions
for

Peer Critiquing
Content
1. Does the paper clearly state the position of the writer?

2. Does the opening statement capture the readers’ interest?

3. Is the issue debatable, fresh, relevant, and somehow original?

4. Do the arguments reflect a higher level of thinking?

5. Does the paper use evidence from reputable sources?

content
6. Are there sufficient pieces of evidence to support the claim?

7. Does the paper consider all possible counterarguments?

8. Does the paper refute the opposing arguments?

9. Does the paper align the argument to the target readers’ beliefs, attitude,
values and motivations?

10. Does the paper employ appropriate methods in presenting arguments?

content
11. Does the paper consider logical, ethical, and emotional appeals?

12. Is the paper free from logical fallacies?

13. Does the conclusion restate the position?

14. Does the conclusion present a feasible course pf actions?

15. Is the closing statement powerful?

Organization
1. Does the paper use an organizational pattern and structure
appropriate for the genre?

2.. Are cohesive devices effectively used?

3. Are the pieces of information logically arranged and easy to

follow?
style
1. Does the paper showcase the writer’s voice?

2. Does the paper use a variety of sentence structures?

3. Is the paper free from sexist language?

4. Is the paper free from wordy expressions?

Group five
• Ladringan, JohnLeo • Caliboso, Lovelle Aina
• Tan, Willie • Cadondon, Juliana Rose
• Taroma, Jed Andrei • Nikolao, Mitchnikof
• Villanueva, JhonLord • Taghap, Djana Nicole
• Aguilon, Vanessa Andrea B.
• Agustin, Joselle Ann M.
• Arzadon, Yana Yzabel