1. ENGLISH FOR ACADEMICS
AND PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES(EAPP)
NAME: RICO B. BASA
GRADE&SECTION: 12-ABM 1
ADRESS: VICTORIAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
DATE: 10/16/2018
2. POSITION PAPER
Is a type of academic writing that present one’s stand or viewpoint in a
particular issue.
While other essays are devoted to presenting information, the
position paper tackles one significant issue of a community on which
the author takes a stand.
What makes the position paper challenging is that since the work
aims at convincing readers to take the author’s position, credible
evidence needs to be presented.
The issue of the position paper is similar to the topic sentence. It is
the central concept up for contention.
3. THE POSITION PA PER CONTA INS IDEA S
THA T A R E DIFFER ENT FROM THE
OTHER ESSAY S SUCH A S:
A. ISSUE - While the topic is broad and can be explored from
different perspectives, the issue compels readers to take stand.
EXAMPLE: Topic- Dress code
Issue- Implementing a dress code in school
B. ARGUMENTATIVE THESIS- It states the stand of the
author on the issue that is develop from an issue.
EXAMPLE: The establish of condominiums near universities
should be prohibited because of the risk it posses to public
safety and the environment.
4. C. CLAIMS - These are statement that support the
author’s stand.
B. EVIDENCE - These are proofs to strengthen the
author’s claims
1. Evidence from surveys, library research, and
experiments.
2. Evidence from informant interviews( those
who have direct experience related to the problem/issue)
3. Evidence from expert interviews.
5. FOUR ESSENTIAL PARTS OF
A POSITION PAPER:
A. Introduction – contains background information concerning
the issue( the who,what, where ,when, and why), a yes or no
question containing the issue, and the argumentative thesis.
The yes or no question is the issue posed as an interrogative
statement. This allows readers to see both sides of the issue. It
allows you to weigh the evidence to support your claims for your
essay.
6. B. Body
b.1. Summary of counterclaims – constitute the second
paragraph of position paper and is devoted to an
enumeration of argument opposing a stand. It is a
unique feature of argumentations as it highlights the
author’s opposite claims. This will allow you to refute
these claims in the body of your argument. In writing
this, you need to be brief.
b.2. Argument – a statement or a series of statement
for or against something.
7. C. Conclusion – contains a restatement of your thesis
and summarizes your main claims. Similar to the
introduction, it holds a powerful position as it contains
the thesis statement and gives readers a strong sense of
the author’s position.
The conclusion is composed of two parts namely,
a summary of the main claims in your argument and a
restatement of your thesis statement.
8. • Restates your position and main argument .
• Suggest a course of action.
• Explains 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 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.
9. GUIDELINES IN WRITING A
POSITION PAPER
1. Begin the writing process with an in-depth research about the issue at
hand.
2. Be aware of the various positions about the issue explain and analyze them
objectively.
3. Reflect on your position paper 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 two pages.
7. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their beliefs ,
needs, interest , and motivations
10. 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 mush as possible. This will make your
tone dynamic and firm.
11. Arrange you evidence logically using inductive or deductive
approach.
12. Check your paper for fallacies and revise accordingly.
13. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeals.
11. • Ethical appeals - relate to your credibility
and competence as writer.
• Logical appeals - refers to the rational
approach in developing an argument.
• Emotional appeals – pertain to feelings
evokes during arguments.