English for Academic

and Professional
Purposes
12
Quarter 4
Self Learning Module 6
Writing a Position
Paper

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English for Academic and Professional Purposes Grade 12
Quarter 4 Module 6: Writing a Position Paper
First Edition, 2020

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English for Academic and
Professional Purposes 12
Quarter 4
Module 6
Writing a Position Paper

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Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

Welcome to the English for Academic and Professional Purposes (Grade 12) Self
Learning Module on Writing a Position Paper!

This Self Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by
educators from Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its Officer-In-Charge
Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin in partnership
with the Local Government of Pasig through its mayor, Honorable Victor Ma. Regis
N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum using the
Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) while overcoming their personal,
social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs namely:
Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Character while
taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the English for Academic and Professional Purposes (Grade 12) Self
Learning Module on Writing a Position Paper!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectation - These are what you will be able to know after completing the
lessons in the module

Pretest - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.

Recap - This section will measure what learnings and skills that you
understand from the previous lesson.

Lesson - This section will discuss the topic for this module.

Activities - This is a set of activities you will perform.

Wrap Up - This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the

lessons.

Valuing - This part will check the integration of values in the learning
competency.

Posttest - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire
module.

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 EXPECTATIONS

This is your self-instructional module in English for Academic and

Professional Purposes. All the activities provided in this lesson will help you learn
and understand: Writing a Position Paper

PRETEST

Identify whether the following statements are True or False.

1. In a position paper assignment, you are to choose a side/position on a

particular topic.
2. The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is
valid.
3. You may use both facts and opinions to convince your reader that your position
is the best one.
4. Your position paper must address the opposing view.
5. Your position paper should center around a topic that is supported by research.

RECAP
In lesson numbers 1 to 3 in this subject for the 4th quarter, you already
learned what a position paper is, what are its characteristics, and what are the
instances in which we can use it. Furthermore in the lessons that followed, you
learned how to analyze arguments and how to present your own reasonable
arguments by citing evidences. This time, we will put those learnings into good use
as we will not learn how to write a position paper.

LESSON

What is a position paper?

Have you ever experienced engaging in a debate or watch how two people
debate over an issue? 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 that you are able to prove its validity. It is
very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and

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presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is
to take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you know the
topic being presented very well. It is also important to support your argument with
evidence to ensure the validity of your claims, as well as to refute (which means to
disprove or rebut) the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both
sides.

What are the steps in writing a position paper?

1. Select a topic for your paper.

Your position paper should center around a topic that is supported by

research. You should be sure that you can defend your topic and position when
challenged, so it is helpful to research a few topics and pick the one you can
best argue, even if it may not reflect your personal beliefs. Your topic can be
simple or complex, but your argument must be sound and logical.

Ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you will be able to
present a strong argument:

Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and uncertainty?

Can you identify at least two distinctive/opposing positions?
Are you personally interested in advocating one of those positions?
Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be manageable?

Once your answer to these questions is yes, then you have a good topic
and position.

2. Challenge your own topic.

When you take a position, you must also know the opposite view. Think
of all the possible challenges that you might face as you support your view.
Your position paper must address the opposing view and rebut it with counter-
evidence. You may try having a debate over the topic with your family or friends
so that you will see other points of view that you might not have considered
yourself.

3. Collect supporting evidence.

Once you have determined that your position is supportable and the
opposite position is weaker than your own, you are ready to research evidence
that will make your points stronger. You may go to a library or conduct online
research as well, but it is important to make sure that the sources you use are
valid. Ensure that your articles are written by reputable sources and be wary of
singular sources that differ from the norm, as these are often subjective rather
than factual in nature.

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 The following are types of supporting information and where you could
get them:

Type of Information Type of Source

directories,
introductory information
encyclopedias,
and overviews
handbooks

books, government
in-depth studies
reports

scholarly articles academic journals

current issues newspapers, magazines

government agencies and

statistics
associations

position papers and association and institute

analyses reports

It is also advisable to collect a variety of sources which did not come from
printed materials. You may
professor, for example) and personal experience (from a friend or family
member) that can add an emotional appeal to your topic. These statements
should support your own position but should read differently than your own
words. The point of these is to add depth to your argument or provide anecdotal
support.

4. Create an outline and write your position paper.

Organize your points by making an outline first before writing the paper.
This will be further discussed on the next part.

How should the points in a position paper be arranged?

The following is the format of how a position paper should be written.

Important details are emphasized in the boxes.
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the topic
B. Provide background on the topic to explain why it is important
C. Assert the thesis

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 Your introduction has a two purposes: 1) to indicate both the topic and
your approach to it (your thesis statement), and 2)
interest in what you have to say. One effective way of introducing a topic
is to supply a background that will put it in perspective. You should
discuss the area into which your topic fits, and then gradually lead into
your specific field of discussion (your thesis statement).

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your

paper or essay. It usually comes near the end of your introduction. It is
the most important sentence in your essay as everything else you write
should relate back to this key point. It tells your reader what to expect
from the rest of the text.

The thesis statement is an assertion about your topic, something you

claim to be true. Notice that a topic alone makes no such claim; it merely
defines an area to be covered. To make your topic into a thesis statement,
you need to make a claim about it and make it into a sentence. Look back
over your materials and think about what you believe to be true and what
your readers want or need to know. Then write a simple sentence stating
what will be the central idea of your paper. Finally, develop your thesis
statement with more essential details.
Example:
Topic:
Thesis Statement:
Thesis Statement: Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking
and leads to a higher prevalence of cancer and heart disease; therefore,
smoking in any public place should be banned.

II. Counterargument
A. Summarize the counterclaims
B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims
C. Refute the counterclaims
D. Give evidence for argument

These counterarguments are what you would come up with in Step 2:

Challenge Your Topic. Once you have thought about the possible
counterarguments, consider how you will respond to them will you
concede that your opponent has a point but explain why your audience
should still accept your argument? Or will you reject the counterargument
and explain why it is mistaken? Either way, you need to make your reader
believe that your argument is stronger than opposing arguments.

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 When you are summarizing opposing arguments, be fair and objective,
rather than trying to make it look foolish. You want to show that you
have seriously considered the many sides of the issue, and that you are
not simply attacking or mocking your opponents.
It is usually better to consider one or two serious counterarguments in
some depth, rather than to give a long but superficial list of many
different counterarguments and replies.

III. Your Argument

A. Assert point #1 of your claims
1. Give your educated and informed opinion
2. Provide support/proof using three sources
B. Assert point #2 of your claims
1. Give your educated and informed opinion
2. Provide support/proof using three sources
C. Assert point #3 of your claims
1. Give your educated and informed opinion
2. Provide support/proof using three sources

You may have more than 3 points to your argument, but you should
NOT have fewer.

IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your argument
B. Provide a plan of action but do not introduce new information

The best conclusion is one that restates the thesis in different words
and then discusses its implications.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1
Think of a good thesis statement for the given topic below. Develop it into a
more detailed thesis statement and think of three (3) possible arguments. A set of
examples is provided for you.

Example:
Topic:

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Thesis Statement: The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect

Developed Thesis Statement:

many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information,
exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both

Possible Counterargument #1:

available online can prove far too tempting for some students, which leads to

Possible Counterargument #2: available entertainment on

the internet has reduced the attention span of students
Possible Counterargument #3:
games, and engaging on social networks can drastically hinder a child's physical
development.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Topic: Age of Criminal Liability (At what age should people be punished for crimes?
18 years old? Younger? Or older?)
1. Thesis Statement - __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Developed Thesis Statement - ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Possible Counterargument #1 - ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Possible Counterargument #2 - ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Possible Counterargument #3 - ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Assume that you are to continue and support your thesis statement above
by writing a position paper. You are now in the part of asserting your arguments
(Part III in the outline). Write three paragraphs expressing your arguments, with
each paragraph asserting one point and supported by sources. You may write on a
separate sheet of paper if the space provided is not enough.

___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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WRAP-UP
The following are the things that I have learned from the lesson:
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________________________

VALUING

We live in a world where people have different opinions, beliefs and

perspectives. We may believe in something and some people may counter our

we have different points of view because we have different origins and stories, and
that although this is the case, we should respect each other.

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 POSTTEST

Identify the information described by the following questions. Choose the

letter of your answer.
1. What is the goal of a position paper?
a. To convince the reader that your opinion is correct
b. To convince the reader that you can prove that your opinion is correct
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above
2. What makes a strong argument?
a. It has opposing issues.
b. It is a real, controversial issue.
c. It is supported by evidence.
d. All of the above
3. Which of the following could be supporting evidence for your claim?
a.
b. Personal experiences
c. Scholarly articles
d. All of the above
4. Which of the following is true about the thesis statement?
a. It is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper.
b. It tells your reader what to expect from the rest of the text.
c. It usually comes near the end of your introduction.
d. All of the above
5. Which of the following should you do in citing counterarguments?
a. You need to cite counterarguments as many as you can.
b. You need to convince your reader that your argument is stronger than the
counterargument.
c. You need to make the counterargument look foolish.
d. None of the above

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 KEY TO CORRECTION

5. b 5. True
4. d 4. True
3. d Answers may vary Answers may vary 3. True
2. d 2. True
1. c 1. True
Posttest Activity 2 Activity 1 Pretest

References

Kibin Blog, 15 Nov. 2018, www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/thesis-

statement-examples/.

ThoughtCo, 25 Sept. 2019,

www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-position-paper-1857251.

It Still Works, 10
Jan. 2019, itstillworks.com/negative-effects-internet-education-
2002.html.

McCombes
Scribbr, 21 Sept. 2020, www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-
statement/.

Writing a Position Paper.

www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm.