LESSON-3

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC
AND PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES
QUARTER 2 LESSON 3: WRITE VARIOUS
KINDS OF POSITION PAPERS
BARRUN, JENNIFER A.
SHS/TEACHER -II
LESSON
3 WRITES VARIOUS
KINDS OF POSITION
PAPERS
OBJECTIVE
At the end of this lesson, you

should be able to:
Writes various kinds of

position papers.
20XX
VOCABULARY LIST
POSITION PAPER
A formal, usually detailed written
statement, especially regarding a
single issue, that articulates a
position, viewpoint, or policy, as
of government, organization, or
political candidate.
ARGUMENT
A process of reasoning;
series of reasons; a
statement, reason, or facts
for or against a point.
OPINION
A view or judgment
formed about something,
not necessarily based on
fact or knowledge.
LOGICAL APPEAL
Refers to a reasonable
approach in
developing an
argument.
ETHICAL APPEAL
Refers to your credibility
or believability and
competence as a writer
EMOTIONAL APPEAL
Uses arguments in a way

that evokes or uncovers
feelings.
FALLACIES
Errors in reasoning;
a false or mistaken
idea.
WHAT IS
POSITION
PAPER?
POSITION PAPER
Presents an opinion
and make a claim or
stand about an issue.
(5 paragraph structure)
POSITION PAPER
Expresses a position,
conclusion, or
recommendation concerning a
contested issue or undecided
question.
POSITION PAPER
A stand supported by
arguments and
evidence.
LET’S LEARN
POSITION PAPER
Its purpose is to
generate support on
an issue.
GOALS OF
POSITION
PAPERS
LET’S LEARN
 The primary goal of a

position paper is to declare
a “position” on a certain
matter or an issue.
LET’S LEARN
• Its secondary goal is

to convince or persuade
others to take that side
of an issue or matter.
• You also have the power to
change the opinions and
attitude of others when you
write a position paper.
• A position paper can be
essential tool in bringing
about societal change.
For example, if you do not agree with a certain
issue or rule, you can write a position paper to
reflect your point of view.
QUESTIONS TO
ASK TO ENSURE
A STRONG
ARGUMENTS
• Is it a real issue, with genuine
controversy and uncertainty?
• Can you identify at least two
distinctive
positions?
• Are you personally interested in

advocating
one of these positions?
• Is the scope of the issue narrow
PARTS OF A
POSITION
PAPERS
LET’S LEARN
• Start topic sentence that attracts

attention and summarizes the issue.
INTRODUCTIO (say something about your topic)
N
• Make a thesis statement that would
express your opinion in one
sentence.
LET’S LEARN
LET’S LEARN
• Present
counterarguments/argume
BODY
nts that oppose your thesis.
• At least 3 main points.

LET’S LEARN
LET’S LEARN
• Present counterarguments that

oppose your thesis.
• Counter the arguments with your
opinion.
BODY • Back-up with reliable data you have
found during the preliminary research.
• So, if you have 3 statements that
support an idea you dis-agree with,
you should provide 3 opposing
statements and prove why they are
worth considering.
LET’S LEARN
LET’S LEARN
• Relate both opinions
CONCLUSION
• Give a summary of what
you argue for
• Restate your argument

LET’S LEARN
LET’S LEARN
RECOMMENDATIO • Provide a strategy

N
that would help
resolve the issue.
LET’S LEARN
LET’S LEARN
OVER-ALL PAPER
GUIDELINES ON
WRITING A
POSITION PAPERS
1.Choose an issue. When choosing one, keep the
following guidelines in mind.
• The issue should be debatable because you won’t be

able to make a stand if the topic is not debatable.
• The issue should be current or relevant.
• The issue should be written in a question from and

answerable by yes or no.
• The issue should be narrow and manageable.

LET’S LEARN
2. Begin the writing process by conducting an in-depth

research on
the issue.
3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when you first

mention them.
4. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and

explain and
analyze them objectively.
5. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
6. Cite valid and reliable sources (3 or more) to establish

the
LET’S LEARN
7. View the issue in a different perspective so you

can present unique approach.
8. Limit your position paper in two pages.
9. Analyze your target readers and align your

arguments to their beliefs, needs, interests, and
motivations.
10. Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and

use various evidence and data to refute them.
11. Use an active voice as much as possible to achieve

dynamic and firm one.
LET’S LEARN
12. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive

or
deductive approach.
13. Check your argument for fallacies and eliminate

them.
Fallacies, or errors in reasoning weaken your
argument.
14. 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
WRITING WITH
STYLE AND
CLARITY
Transitions
In academic writing your goal is to convey
information clearly and concisely, if not to
convert the reader to your way of thinking.
Transitions help you to achieve these goals by

establishing logical connections between
sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your
papers.
Paragraphs
1) 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.
2) The divisions between paragraphs aren’t random

but indicate
a shift in focus. In other words, you must carefully
and clearly
organize the order of your paragraphs so that they
are
logically positioned throughout your paper.
Grammar and Spelling
You must make certain that your paper is
free from grammar and spelling mistakes.
Mechanical errors are usually the main

reason for lack of clarity in essays, so be sure
to thoroughly proofread your paper before
handing it in.
LET’S LEARN
Plagiarism and academic

honesty
Plagiarism is a form of stealing; as
with other offences against the law,
ignorance is no excuse. The way to
avoid plagiarism is to give credit
where credit is due.
Thank you 

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ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC

At the end of this lesson, you

Writes various kinds of

Uses arguments in a way

 The primary goal of a

• Its secondary goal is

• Are you personally interested in

• Start topic sentence that attracts

• At least 3 main points.

• Present counterarguments that

• Relate both opinions

• Restate your argument

RECOMMENDATIO • Provide a strategy

• The issue should be debatable because you won’t be

• The issue should be current or relevant.

• The issue should be written in a question from and

• The issue should be narrow and manageable.

2. Begin the writing process by conducting an in-depth

3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when you first

4. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and

5. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.

6. Cite valid and reliable sources (3 or more) to establish

7. View the issue in a different perspective so you

8. Limit your position paper in two pages.

9. Analyze your target readers and align your

10. Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and

11. Use an active voice as much as possible to achieve

12. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive

13. Check your argument for fallacies and eliminate

14. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal. An

Transitions help you to achieve these goals by

2) The divisions between paragraphs aren’t random

Mechanical errors are usually the main

Plagiarism and academic

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