position paper- English for Academic and Professional Purposes

1. Writing Position Papers

2. Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners
will be able to:
1. Identify the features and content of
the introduction of a position paper;
2. Write an introduction from the given
issues; and
3. Value the importance of having a
catchy introduction of a position
paper.

3. What is a Position Paper
● A written text that shows a person’s view,
sentiments and stan on a certain issue.
● It helps in suggesting possible solution to an
issue

4. Hot issues…….
• Think of issue/s that students
like you experience in school
• From the issues, what do you
think is very alarming and
needs to be resolved? Why?

5. The parts of a Position Paper

6. Introduction
●Brief introduction to the topic
in general
●Could be stated to two to three
sentences
●a statement of your position.

7. Writing an Introduction
● Use the introduction that is
catchy
● You can use an anecdote, fact,
question or saying/quote

8. Anecdote as an Introduction
• An Anecdote is a personal story that
is related to the topic of position
paper.
• Your Anecdote may be true or mostly
true, but should be entirely
believable.

9. Introduction with anecdote
When I was in elementary school, I was a
very happy and outgoing kid and had lots
of friends. But when I started secondary
school, some older kids started to bully
and tease me. I had huge glasses and I
was really ugly and everyone laughed at
me. This experience I had made me
realize how rampant bullying can be in
schools. Bullying can affect the lives of
students, this must be stopped.

10. Introduction with fact
Around 130 million, or one in three
children worldwide, experience
some form of bullying, the United
Nations stated in its latest report on
how children can be better
protected. This is a call for the strict
implementation of the Anti-bullying
law in schools.

11. Introduction with quote
According to an anonymous
author: “Not all forms of abuse
leave bruises.” Some of these
are words coming from the
mouth of a predator – a bully.
Bullying is a form of abuse
that must be stopped.

12. Introduction with question
When schools are ruled by
bullies, how can students
like you survive schooling?
Bullying hinders students
to perform well in schools.

13. Your turn in making introduction
• Group 1 – Using Anecdote
• Group 2 – Using a quote
• Group 3 – Using Fact/s
• Group 4 – Using a question

14. RUBRIC
Coherence - 10 pts
Relevance - 5 pts
Mechanics - 10 pts
Delivery - 5 pts
-------------------
Total - 30 pts

15. Multiple choice
1. What is written in the
introduction of a position paper?
a. the presentation of evidences
b. the statement of position
c. the conclusion of the topic
d. the writer’s biases

16. Multiple choice
2. Which of the following best
defines Introduction?
a. a short statement
b. brief introduction of the
topic in general
c. a written text about an issue
d. a writer’s view and
sentiments

17. Multiple choice
3. An introduction can be written
through an anecdote. What is an
anecdote?
a. a factual trivia
b. a question
c. a quote
d. none of the above

18. Multiple choice
4. Why is it important that your
introduction is catchy?
a. to confuse the readers
b. to get the reader’s interest
and attention
c. to build up intrigue and
excitement from the readers
d. to make your paper convincing

19. Multiple choice
5. Which of the following is not a
way in writing an introduction?
a. by citing a quote
b. by asking a question
c. by sharing a story
d. all of the above

20. Introduction
● Topic : Corporal Punishment
● For example: “People have been
witnessing harm being done to children.
Sometimes the perpetrators were the
child’s parents themselves. This is very
alarming. This should be stopped.
Physical punishment for children should
be considered a crime.”

21. Body of the Paragraphs
● Usually three or
more paragraphs
● This is where you
present
information and
give evidence
● This is the main
part of your paper

22. Body Paragraphs
SECOND PARAGRAPH
● State your claim
● State your argument (should beconvincing)
● For Example
Hurting minors in any form be it
physical or verbal is very much against
human rights.

23. Body Paragraphs
THIRD/FOURTH PARAGRAPH
● Explain your claim by giving
instances, personal experiences, and
evidences
● You can get evidences from the news,
posts from social media, research,
books
● Cite the benefits or advantages about
the topic

24. Body Paragraphs
● For Example
” Adults who hurt children are
unforgivable. Take the case of Rico, who had
been maltreated by his own father. He
suffered from 3rd degree burn from scalding
plus the emotional trauma he now endures.
Truly, people like his father should be tried
before the law.”

25. Body Paragraphs
FIFTH PARAGRAPH
● Persuade the readers to believe on
your claim by further explanation of
the argument
● For example
Will you allow this to happen to
your own child, sibling, or neighbor?
Child abusers belong to prison, not in
society.

26. Body Paragraphs
● When you are taking a position, you need to
do two things in the body paragraph
o First, tell the audience what is currently happening
o Next, tell the audience what you want to happen in
the future
● For example:
o I currently do not have pizza, and that makes me
upset
o In the future, I would like to get a large pepperoni
pizza.
o (This is a very simple example, you will need to add
much more information)

27. Conclusion
● Summarize what you
have already talked
about.
● This may seem like you
are repeating
information, but it is
important to do this in
order to make your
position clear and to
finish strong

28. Body Paragraphs
SIXTH PARAGRAPH
● State your conclusion
● end your write up with a strong
insight, a recommendation or a call to
action or it can also be an emotional
appeal.

29. Body Paragraphs
SIXTH PARAGRAPH
● For example
“Indeed, physical punishment should be
considered a crime, because in the first place,
nobody has the right to hurt other people
especially the children.It should be
considered a crime punishable by law. We
must stop injustice done towards our
youngsters.”

30. Wrap Up
Another way to think about
it
Introduction: Tell them what
you’re about to tell them
Body Paragraphs: Tell them
Conclusion: Tell them what
you just told them

31. Suggested Ideas/Topics
• It is More Fun to be Single
• Walking to School is Better
• Girls Should be Allowed to Court Boys
• Why I would Allow/Disallow my
father/mother to Remarry
• ML is Not a Waste of Time
• Being a College Graduate is Better than
Taking up a Vocational Course
• Assignments hinder Family Bonding

32. Suggested Ideas/Topics
• I Should Save for my Future
• My Choosen Career or my Parent’s Choice
• Collect Numerous girlfriends/boyfriends
and Select the Best
• Give Alms to Beggars
• Death for the Pushers/Drug Addicts
• Cellphones should not be allowed in
schools.
• 30 is the right age to get married