EFA Writing Position Paper

Objectives
At the end of the period, students

will be able to:
• explain concepts in various field.
• write their own written reports.
• recognize what constitutes a
position paper
Rearrange the letters!
V T P O R E Y
POVERTY
A RM L A I T AWL
MARTIAL LAW
A K E F W S E N
FAKE NEWS
I C E D R O V
DIVORCE
A L C I M A Y T
CALAMITY
G T R A F C K I F N I
TRAFFICKING
How does making a
position paper help you to
become a good
researcher?
Position Paper
Another type of written academic
requirement, in which your
viewpoint about a controversy and
thorough justification for believing
so is explained.
Position Paper
To contribute any idea in the larger
debate on the issue, and can be
achieved when you state and
support your opinion on an issue
and recommend a course of action.
The Goal of a
Position Paper
To convince your readers that your
opinion on the specific issue is
valid, substantial, and logical.
Maimon, Peritz &
Yancey, 2005
A Position Paper should
contain:
• The issues should be defined
very clearly, with background
thoroughly established. Do not
forget to state your position on
an issue.
contain:
• Various sentence/viewpoints
you’ve gathered and read
should be discussed. Take note
of the strengths and
weaknesses.
contain:
• Focus on the position your first
asserted. Analyze its strengths
and weaknesses as well as its
relevance.
contain:
• Explain also why you think this
position has the potential to be
correct, and anticipate possible
criticisms of and weaknesses in
your argument by providing your
counterarguments ahead.
contain:
• Provide reasons why your
position and/or suggested
course of action is the best
possible one for all those who
are involved.
Understanding of One’s Own
Socio-cultural differences:
How could societal problems be
helpful for an individual to be a
responsible citizen?
REMEMBER!
You need to be very clear about
your claim and be very thorough
with your evidences to come up
with a strong argument.
What is a Claim?
Latin Meaning
Five Types of Claims
Definition
Cause
Value
Fact
Policy
Definition
When the statement talks about

a characterization, classification,
and interpretation of a term, it is
a claim of definition.
Examples:
• The fetus is a human being, not just a
group of cells.
• Sexual harassment is defined in terms
of behavior and not sexual desire.
Cause
If the claim talks about the

reason and consequences of an
action, it is a cause claim.
Examples:
• Student: I won’t be able to submit my
project today because I lost all of my
computer files.
• Crime is caused by lack of family
values.
Examples:
• Exposing students in religious
education since young will make them
better adults.
Value
If the assertion is more about the

subjective evaluation of good or
bad, beautiful or ugly, moral or
immoral, it is a claim of value.
Examples:
• Dogs make the best pets.
• Extrajudicial Killing is immoral.
• Computers continue to disintegrate
the values of the modern society.
Fact
When a claim comprises

statement of existence,
occurrence and truthfulness, it is
a claim or fact.
Examples:
• Women are as effective as men in
politics.
• Increasing population threatens the
environment.
• Men need women to civilize them.
Policy
Proposition deals more on steps

that have to be taken, provisions
that have to be changed in order to
improve existing systems, or
suggestions that can be pursued to
address issues, it is called claim of
policy.
Examples:
• All freshmen students should attend
the school’s orientation.
• The government should spend more
on education.
• Advertising companies must be more
sensitive to their audience.
ALL THE CLAIMS, WHEN
COMBINED WITH
RELEVANT EVIDENCES
MAKE A BIG ARGUMENT.
How could we properly use
the criticism we learned
through writing reports?
Basic Type of Argument
Aristotelian or Adversarial
Aristotelian
Argument
Aristotelian
Argument
• Made to confirm a position or
hypothesis or to refute an existing
argument
Aristotelian
Argument
• The writer attempts to persuade
the reader to a particular point of
view.
Aristotelian
Argument
• The writer uses logic, appeals to the
rational in the audience, and
provides empirical and
commonsense evidence to persuade
the audience members to change
their beliefs, attitudes, and actions.
END
Write G if the practice is a good one; write W if
not.
___1. Juan considers all possible views on the
issue at hand.
___2. Alex says that the issue is a crucial
component of a position paper.
___3. Brian thinks that an issue is debatable if it
cannot be answered by yes or no.
___4. Pete conducts an audience analysis to
help him write a more persuasive position paper
___5. Ben boasts about his credentials to establish his
credibility as a writer.
___6. Jack primarily uses opinions in supporting his
arguments.
___7. Nicki uses statistical data in supporting her
argument.
___8. Vicky believes that the main goal of a position
paper is to inform readers.
___9. Jamie uses emotional appeal in all of her position
papers because it is the best type of appeal.
___10. Matt restates his position in the concluding
paragraph.
Parts of a Position Paper
1. Introduction
• Start with an introduction which presents
the issue while grabbing the attention of
readers.
• Define the issue and discuss its
background.
• Provide a general statement of your
position via your thesis statement.
2. Body
• State your main arguments.
• Provide sufficient evidence for each
argument such as statistical data,
interviews with experts, and testimonies.
• Provide counterarguments against the
possible weaknesses of your arguments.
3. Conclusion
• Restate your position and main arguments.
• Suggest a course of action.
• State what makes your position superior
and more acceptable.
• End with a powerful closing statement such
as a quotation, a challenge, or a question.
Guidelines in Writing a
Position Paper
1. Choose an issue. The issue should be:

• debatable
• current and relevant
• narrow and manageable
Position Paper
2. Begin the writing process by conducting an
in-depth research on the issue.
3. Make sure you define unfamiliar terms
when you first mention them.
4. Beware of the various positions about the
issue and explain and analyze them
objectively.
Position Paper
5. Reflect on your position and identify its
weaknesses.
6. Cite valid and reliable sources to establish
the credibility of your arguments.
7. Check your argument for fallacies and
eliminate them. Fallacies, or errors in
reasoning, weaken your argument.
Position Paper
8. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal.
An ethical appeal relates to your credibility
and competence as a writer;
A logical appeal refers to a rational approach
in developing an argument;
An emotional appeal uses arguments in a way
that evokes feelings.
You may find other examples of
position papers in the following links.
Sample 2
Title: Position Paper on the RH Bill
Author: Christian Pro-life Resources for the Phil.
Link: http://www.mabuhayradio.com/health-
and-medicine/position-paper-on-the-rh-bill-by-
christian-pro-life-resources-for-the-philippines
You may find other examples of
position papers in the following links.
Sample 3
Title: Migrants’ Election Manifesto
Author: Concerned Overseas Filipinos Worldwide
Link:
http://www.ellentordesillas.com/2007/03/09/
migrants%E2%80%99%-election-manifesto/
Romans 13:1-5
Would you have no fear of the one who is in
authority? Then do what is good, and you will
receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for
your good. But if you do wrong. Be afraid, for he
does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the
servant of God, an avenger who carries out
God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one
must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s
wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
Assignment
• You will watch a documentary about one of the
heated debate in the Philippines.
• Take note of the arguments presented. Also,
mention the different claims that constitute one
big argument.
Material:
I-Witness: ‘Balik Bitay?’ dokumentaryo ni Howie
Severino (full episode)
Published on June 27, 2016
Aired: June 25, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1RXj84hvx0
Look at the T-chart below. Complete the
chart by listing all the pros and cons on
the issue CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
PROS CONS

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Objectives

At the end of the period, students

When the statement talks about

If the claim talks about the

If the assertion is more about the

When a claim comprises

Proposition deals more on steps

1. Choose an issue. The issue should be:

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