POSITION PAPER

What is a Position Paper?

• A Position Paper is a type of academic writing that
present one’s stand or viewpoint on a particular issue.
• To take part inn a larger debate by standing your
argument and proposed course of action.
• A Position Paper also known as a “POINT OF VIEW
PAPER”
• Type of academic paper that presents your claims or
position on an issue.
• A formal, usually detailed statement.
 ESSENTIAL PARTS OR ELEMENTS OF A POSITION
PAPER
1. Issue – is developed into an argumentative thesis that
states the stand of the author on the issue.
• Ex.: The Declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao is illegal
because of the absence of a rebellion case.
2. Claims – are statements that support the author’s stand.
3. Evidence – are proofs to strengthen the author’s claims.
• Evidence from surveys, library research and experiments.
• Evidence from interviews.
• Evidence from expert interviews
 PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER
1. INTRODUCTION
• Uses a lead that grabs the attention of readers
• Defines the issue and provide a thorough background
• Provides a general statement or the argument thesis statement.
2. BODY
• Provide counterarguments against possible weaknesses of your
arguments
• State your main argument and provide sufficient evidences
3. CONCLUSION
• Restate your position and main arguments
• Suggest a course of action
• Explain why your position is better than any other position
• Ends with a powerful closing statement.
CHOOSING AN ISSUE
1. The issue should be debatable.
2. The issue should be current and relevant
3. The issue should be written in a question
form and answerable by yes or no.
4. The issue should be specific and
manageable.
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER
1. Begin the writing with an in-depth research about the issue at hand.
2. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain and analyze
them objectively.
3. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
4. Establish your credibility by citing reliable sources.
5. Present a unique way of approaching the issue.
6. Limit your position paper to 2 pages.
7. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their beliefs,
needs, interests, and motivations.
8. Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and refute them with
evidence
9. Define unfamiliar terms at first mention.
10. Use an active voice as much as possible.
11. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or deductive approach.
12. Check your paper for fallacies and revise accordingly.
13. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeals.