This document provides information on writing a position paper, including: - The definition and purpose of a position paper is to present a position on an issue and generate support for that position through facts and evidence. - The key elements of a good position paper include an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs with supporting evidence and discussion of strengths and weaknesses, and a conclusion. - Guidelines are provided on developing a topic, research, referencing sources, and avoiding plagiarism. The recommended format includes title page, introduction, body, conclusion, and references sections. - Sample topics are given for a group activity where students discuss different positions on issues like cell phone bans in schools and spanking as

1. POSITION PAPER

2. Desired Learning Outcome:
• To know and understand the use of
the position paper
• For the students to be able to write
a position paper
• Discuss the documentation style

3. • Definition of the position paper
• Elements of a good position paper
• Guidelines in making the position
paper
• Format and documentation style
OVERVIEW

4. Position Paper - is a detailed report that
recommends a course of action
-Is a diplomatic statement of a position on a
certain issue.
- it is a tool used to clarify a position, provide
ideas for negotiation, examine all sides of the
issue and practice written diplomacy.
- it is an essay that presents an opinion about
an issue.
- its function is to present a position underlying
a subject or issue.
- it is also used to advocate the reader on an
argument or position

5. Use and Importance of a Position
Paper
To present position upon which Staff may based
their decision
To argue, convince, advocate reader of a course of
action
Why?
- To express ones ideas to give explanation to
existing problems
- To convince that a policy or action must or
must not be adopted with the intent of improving the
organization.

6. Guidelines in making the position paper
Be careful not to offer a mere description of the
topic. The best position paper will be those that
define, analyze and critically address the issue under
investigation. You should be mindful whether there is
sufficient material available to write a position paper
that is critically documented and makes a convincing
statement regarding the topic of your choice.

7. All topics must be approved by the instructors
Before you can begin your research. Students are
strongly urged to develop their topics in
consultation with the instructor. You must provide
scrupulous documentation for factual assertion,
provide references for opinions attributed to others,
whether through direct quotation or paraphrasing.
Any form of plagiarism will result will result in
receiving an F for the position paper.

8. The writer of the position paper presents
convincing evidence to support his/her point of
view, while addressing and arguing against the
arguments presented by the opposing side. This
discussion if framed from academic perspective
and not simply based on personal opinion.
You will follow the APA format or style of
documentation.

9. Format and Content of a Position
Paper
• Introduction
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Include ‘References’ after last page
of ‘Conclusion’ . It should be SEPARATE
page!!

10. Format and Content of a Position
Paper
• Introduction
– General Statement about the topic
– Thesis Statement
• Ex 1. This paper argues that lesbians and gays
should be accepted in the military service.
• Ex 2. The central theme of this paper is based on
the assertion that flag raisings should only be
conducted every …
• Ex 3. I will argue that China is not a threat to Asia…

11. Format and Content of a Position
Paper
• Introduction
– General Statement about the topic/Purpose
– Thesis Statement (Argument)
– Essay Map
• Ex 1 . This paper will firstly discuss the emergence of
China as a hegemonic state in Asia. This will be followed
by a discussion on why China is not a threat in Asia and
lastly the paper commends how China’s growth should be
perceived by its neighbouring countries.

12. Format and Content of a Position
Paper
 Introduction
 General Statement about the topic/Purpose
 Thesis Statement
 Essay Map
 Ex 2 . This paper will discuss the three reasons why
lesbians and gays should be accepted in the military
service. First reason that will be discussed is that
acceptance of lesbian and gays will bring about _____
in the service. Second argument that will be presented
is that the acceptance of L & G will allow _______.

13. Format and Content of a Position
Paper
• Discussion
– Discuss the essay map you
have written in the
Introduction
– Each paragraph should
contain a topic sentence,
followed by supporting
sentences
– Ex. Para 1- Topic sentence
Supporting
sentences
Para 2 -Topic sentence
Supporting
sentences
… and so on
• NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT –
ARGUMENTS YOU RAISED
SHOULD BE SUPPORTED
WITH RELIABLE SOURCES!!!
Examples:
…This argument is ably
supported by the study
conducted by the Institute of
_____.
According to Dr. Phil of the
College of ____
In an interview made
_____

14. Format and Content of a
Position Paper
• Conclusion
– Summary
– General statement
– Ex 1. In conclusion, the three reasons cited in
this study namely growth, equality and balance
brought about by the emergence of China as a
hegemonic state clearly indicate why China
should not be perceived as a threat to Asia…

15. Format and Content of a Position
Paper
 Conclusion
 Summary
 General statement
 Ex 2. This paper discussed the three reasons
why flag raisings should only be conducted
every ____. These reason were ______,
_______ and ______. The reasons cited in this
study point out that flag raisings conducted
every ______ is not _____ and would lead only
to _______.

16. Summary
• Position Paper
– To express ones ideas to give explanation to
existing problems
– To convince that a policy or action must or
must not be adopted with the intent of
improving the organization.
• Parts: Introduction ( Gen. Statement, Thesis Statement, Essay
Map), Body and Conclusion

17. Format of the position paper
I. Title page
II. Abstract
III. Page for the seminar members
IV. Table of contents
V. Acknowledgement
VI. Disclaimer
Disposition Form
Subject to Letter
Position paper
VII.Appendices
Annex “A” will be the bibliography

18. Plagiarism is defined in in the 1995 Random
House Compact Unabridged Dictionary , is the use
or close imitation of the language and thoughts of
another author and the representation of them as
one’s own original work. With in academia,
plagiarism by students , professor or researchers
is considered academic dishonesty or academic
fraud and offenders are subject to academic
censure up to and including expulsion

19. • Position Paper
• (This is an essay that presents a
stand/position about an issue.
• A position paper is a kind of academic
writing in which the student researches a
controversial issue and writes a paper that
explains his/her stand or viewpoint on it.
• It is an essential tool for social change.)

20. • Purpose of the position paper
• (The purpose of a position paper is to
generate support on an issue. It describes
a position on an issue and the rational for
that position. The position paper is based
on facts that provide a solid foundation for
your argument. In the position paper you
should:
• Use evidence to support your position,
such as statistical evidence or dates and
events.

21. • Validate your position with authoritative
references or primary source quotations.
• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of
your position.
• Evaluate possible solutions and suggest
courses of action.)
• Goal of the position paper

22. • #StandWithMe (Group Activity)
• In a small group, the students will tackle
the following issues and the positions that
they believe are discussed regarding
these issues. They will try to find the
positions that are for and against each
issue. They will discuss what they feel
about these issues and what are their
positions regarding each one.

23. • Should cell phones be banned in schools?
• Spanking Children as a Form of Discipline
• Who makes a better leader: someone
who is loved, or someone who is feared?
• Is good education a right or a privilege?

24. Thank you and
Good day