POSITION PAPER WEEK 10 POSITION PAPER is an essay that expounds a standpoint of an author or specified entity about an issue. POSITION PAPER main objective of a position paper is to persuade the readers with opinions which are valid and defensible; used by large organizations to make public the official beliefs and recommendations of the group; POSITION PAPER Writing a position paper is just like participating in a debate in which one has to present his stance of an arguable opinion regarding an issue; it is very relevant that you address all sides of the issue and present it in a manner that can easily be understood by the audience POSITION PAPER As a writer, it is your responsibility to take one side of the argument and convince your readers that you have well-founded knowledge on the issue being probed. Like a debate, it is necessary to support claims with evidences to guarantee validity of your contentions. WHAT IS AN ARGUMENT? ARGUMENT an argument is used to convince readers through logic and sound reasoning over a problem or an issue; writer can even utilize a dramatic language to emotionally appeal to the readers to make them believe that what the author is saying is true; thus, making his readers also stand on his beliefs, values, and conviction; ARGUMENT writer should make it a point that his readers do not only agree with his opinions, but should also urge themselves to commit to a course of action; a good argument means a good persuasion. WRITING A POSITION PAPER REQUIRES CAREFUL PLANNING, DELIBERATE PROBING AND ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUE TO DERIVE ADEQUATE EVIDENCES TO SUPPORT THE WRITER’S CLAIMS IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER, THE WRITER MUST... outline and organize his standpoint on the issue or problem; formally inform others of his jumpstart to build resolutions; position as s provide well-defined, logical, and unique methodology or approach in solving the problem; organize his discussion to define the framework of the scheme; compose his credibility by illustrating a good command of the issue and profound knowledge about it; exhibit passion in expressing his arguments rather than in using his emotional term; be consistent in his position in the discussion; credit his sources accurately. DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING AN ARGUMENT TYPES OF EVIDENCES: TYPES OF EVIDENCES A. Factual knowledge - refers to the information that is valid and justifiable. B. Statistical inferences - which are conclusions derived from gathered data. TYPES OF EVIDENCES C. Informed opinion is based on knowledge of facts which are carefully considered. It is drawn from evidences instead of limited personal experience. D. Personal testimony - which is considered as firsthand experience of the writer. PARTS OF POSITION PAPER The format of a position paper depends on the guidelines set by an institution or by the teacher. Below is a sample format of a position paper that has the salient parts: The Introduction, The Body, and The Conclusion. I. Introduction A. Introduction of the Topic B. Background of the Topic C. Thesis Statement II. Body A. The Counterclaim Summary of the Counterclaim Supporting Information for the Counterclaim Refuting of the Counterclaim Giving Evidences for the Argument ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ B. The Argument ✓ Assertion of Claim No. 1 a. Opinion b. Support Assertion of Claim No. 2 a. Opinion b. Support Assertion of Claim No. 3 a. Opinion b. Support ✓ ✓ III. Conclusion ✓ Restating of Argument ✓ Providing Plan of Action SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!
