What is a Position Paper?

Position paper is an argumentative essay that presents an opinion and makes a claim (statement) about
an issue based on facts that provide a solid foundation for argument. Arguments are a mixture of
assertion, acknowledgment, confirmation, refutation, and concession. A good position paper will not
only provide facts but also make proposals for resolutions of an issue, and overshadow the thought
based on factual evidence with fair analysis.

Claim defines your paper’s goals, direction, and scope supported by evidence, quotations,
argumentation, expert’s opinion, statistics, and telling details. It is specifically focused on the argument
that persuades, proves, or suggests something to a reader who may or may not initially agree with the
writer’s stand.

Types of Claims

Argumentative writing is able to articulate a position and argue with it using academic evidence. It is
wrapped with the following;

1) Fact and Definition, a text that presents a fact or definition along with a strong argument and
put forward a strong argument that the readers can’t ignore.

Example: Net lingo, as the written slang of the young generation, assures them of “inness” or of
belonging to that group, but strangers within could bring trouble, although the young are wary of
them, and protect themselves by blocking subsequent messages of undesirable online friends.
(Adapted from: Kris Axtman, ‘r u online?’: The Evolving Lexicon of Wired Teens, p. 142, English for
Academic and Professional Purposes textbook, Deped-BLR)

2) Cause and Effect used when an effect is being discussed with the support of the arguments
describing the cause of an issue.

Example Consequently, the bad language on television programs has kept young children imitated
cussing and swearing that totally deviate from the values taught at home. (Adapted from: Is Bad
Language Unacceptable on TV??’ p. 143 English for Academic and Professional Purposes, Textbook.
Deped-BLR)

3) Value is a statement used to argue over a value of something or how a certain thing should be
valued, this concerns researching an issue that is being ignored generally. The writer is
advocating judgment about something good or bad, right or wrong, beautiful or ugly, moral or
immoral.

Example We should find ways of creating not only clean but also cheap sources of energy that would
halt climate change and transform the lives of the poorest families.

4) Policy is a statement where you either support or oppose a solution or a policy. It provides
strong reasons for opposing and should not be biased or personal.

Example: Instead of searching for more oil fields, we should increase the use of renewable energy
and reduce the oil consumption.
Goal

 To convince the audience/reader that your opinion is defensible. Ideas that you are considering
need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and organizing your
paper.

 To ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy
for your audience to understand.

 To take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded
knowledge of the topic being presented.

 To show how your stand relates to other positions.

Purpose

-To generate support and describe the author’s position on an issue incorporating supportive
evidence based on facts that provide a solid foundation for the author’s inductive reasoning, which
addresses both strengths and weaknesses of the author’s opinion.

Criteria of an Issue

-Choose what you can prove instead of writing ambiguous claims that you find difficult to prove
later. Your thesis statement is the final point so you should write your claim with strong evidence
and arguments in mind. They should be true and capable enough to support your claim.

Analyzing an Issue and Developing an Argument

Once your topic is selected, you should:

 do some research on the subject matter from printed materials, online sources, or personal
references through a conversation;

 have an opinion on your topic about which side of the argument you want to take either you agree
or disagree;

 ensure that your position is well supported with valid information; and

 make a list of the pro and con ideas of the topic to support your counterclaims, along with a list of
supporting evidence for both sides.

Supporting evidence includes the following:

a) Factual knowledge is the information that is verifiable and agreed upon by almost everyone.
Example: Doublespeak is a language which pretends to communicate but rather makes the bad
seem good, the negative seem positive, the unpleasant seem attractive or at least tolerable. It is a
language which avoids, shifts, or denies responsibility; a language which is at variance with its real or
purported. It is the language which conceals or prevents thought. (Adapted from: William Lutz,
Doubts About Doublespeak p. 127, English for Academic and Professional Purposes, Textbook.
Deped- BLR)
b) Statistical Inferences denotes the interpretation and examples of an accumulation of facts.
Example: Based on the table presented, it shows that the F-value is 1.96 and the p-value is 0.156
which is higher than 0.05 level of significance, thus the null hypothesis is accepted. This means that
there is no significant difference in the performance of students under the three different methods
of teaching. This further means that students performed the same in any of the 3 teaching methods
applied by the teachers. (LMN)

c) Informed opinion is the opinion developed through research and/or expertise of the claim.
Example: Classroom research suggests that more talk is associated with higher social status or
power. Many studies have shown that teachers (regardless of gender) tend to talk for about two-
thirds of the available time. But the boys dominate the relatively small share of the talking time that
remains for pupils. In this context, where talk is clearly valued, it appears that the person with most
status has the right to talk most. The boys may therefore be asserting a claim to higher status than
the girls by approaching the majority of the time for pupil talk. (Adapted from: Janet Holmes,
“Women Talk Too Much, p. 132 English for Academic and Professional Purposes, Textbook. Deped-
BLR)

d) Personal Testimony

-focuses on the personal experience related to a knowledgeable party. Example: “This is really an
extension of what teenagers have always done: recreate the language in its own image. But this new
lingo combines 11 writing and speaking to a degree that we’ve never seen before,” says Neil
Randall, an English professor at the University of Waterloo and author of “Lingo Online: A Report on
the Language of the Keyboard Generation.” (Adapted from: Kris Axtman, ‘r u online?’: The Evolving
Lexicon of Wired Teens, p. 142, English for Academic and Professional Purposes textbook, Deped-
BLR)

Language used in writing a Position Paper

Position paper is an academic journal written in formal language of appropriate vocabulary. It

communicates strongly and effectively with uncomplicated language and sentence structure.

Many position paper writers thought that the content of their paper is all that matters. Although,
the content is important it doesn’t mean much if the reader cannot understand what you are trying
to emphasize despite great ideas in your paper but you failed to communicate effectively. Keep the
following in your design;

a) Diction
-It refers to the choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and
application of words in your essay with clearness, accuracy, variety, mode of expression; and
language.

b) Paragraphs Clear paragraphs are essential that comes in so many patterns of two basic
principles to remember:

 A paragraph is a means of developing and framing an idea or impression. As a general rule, you
should address only one major idea per paragraph.
 Indicate a shift of focus in between paragraphs and clearly organize its order of information details
to logically position your paper with the use of transitions.

Transitions
-Transitions establish the logical connections of ideas between sentences, paragraphs, and
sections of your position paper to convey information clearly and concisely. These words,
phrases, sentences signal readers what to do with the information you present them and how to
piece together your ideas into a coherent argument. They function as signs for readers that tell
them how to think about, organize, and react to old and new ideas as they read through what
you have written. In providing the reader with these important cues, transitions help readers
understand the logic of how your ideas fit together. See the transition table below;

Transition Table

Logical Relationship Transitional Signals/Expressions

Similarity also, in the same way, just as…so too,
likewise, similarity
Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand…,
nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding,
in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Sequence/Order first, second, third…next, then, finally
Time after, afterward, at last, before, currently,
during, earlier, immediately, later,
meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously,
subsequently, then
Example for example, for instance, namely,
specifically, to illustrate
Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in
front, in back, nearby, there
Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so,
therefore, thus
Additional Support of Evidence additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides,
equally important, further, furthermore, in
addition, moreover, then
Conclusion/Summary finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in
the end, in the final analysis, on the whole,
thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, in
summary

d) Grammar and Spelling Mechanical errors are usually the main reason for lack of clarity in
essays, so be sure to thoroughly proofread your position paper which is free from grammar and
spelling mistakes.

Points to Remember in Writing a Position Paper

A writer’s stand is not only supported with valid evidence rather should feel strongly about the
issues, strive to persuade the readers to accept their valid and reasonable opinions, and make
use of emotional appeals as well as intellectual appeals to convince an audience. The following
features may help
a) Well-defined controversial issue
-The controversial but arguable issue may be complex and should be carefully defined and
easy to understand its importance. The issue includes matters of opinion-judgments rather
than certainties. A matter of fact and matter of faith should be brought to bear but cannot
easily be resolved.
Example The talkativeness of women has been gauged in comparison with men but with
silence. Women have not been judged on the grounds of whether they talk more than men,
but of whether they talk more than silent women.
b) Clear position to an issue
-A position paper makes explicit the opinion it advocates by informing directly into a thesis
statement, and can be modified in the course of the argument qualifying a position to
accommodate objections or limiting the conditions under which strengthens rather weakens
an argument. The claim must be clear, certain, and specific.
Example The widespread belief that women talk more than men. When women and men
are together, it is the men who talk most. Proverbs and saying in many languages express
the view that women are always talking in developing their social confidence. (Source: Janet
Homes’ Women Talk Too Much, English for Academic and Professional Purposes Reader
p.133 – Deped-BLR)
c) Convincing argument
-A position paper does not merely assert an opinion or claim; it also persuades readers that
an opinion is valid and reasonable. The arguments are realistic to persuade the readers and
thereby accept the legitimacy of the writer’s position on the issue and accommodate the
information.
Example: Evidence collected by American, British, and New Zealand researchers show that
men generally talk more in formal, public contexts where informative and persuasive talk is
highly valued and where talk is generally the prerogative of those with some societal status
and has the potential for increasing that status. Women are more likely to contribute in
private, informal interactions where talk more often functions to maintain relationships and
in other situations where for various reasons they feel socially confident.
d) Reasonable tone
-Typically, the writers adopt a tone that is reasonable and trustworthy, inspire respect and
confidence in presenting challenging arguments that attempt to demonstrate goodwill and
understanding by accommodating legitimate objections and explain their reasons for
rejecting them.
Example: Do women talk more than men? It all depends on many different factors including
the social context in which the talk is taking place, the kind of talk involved and the relative
social confidence of the speakers which is affected by such things as their social roles (e.g.
teacher, host, interviewee, wife) and their familiarity with the topic. (Adapted from Janet
Homes’ Women Talk Too Much, English for Academic and Professional Purposes Reader
p.137 – Deped-BLR)