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Understanding Position Papers in EAPP

This document provides guidance on writing position papers. It defines a position paper as presenting the writer's stance on an issue while relating it to other positions. The purpose is to generate support for an issue by critically examining strengths and weaknesses of the author's opinion using facts and reasoning. Key parts include an introduction stating the position, body paragraphs with background and evidence supporting the position, and a conclusion with suggested actions. Guidelines emphasize logical thinking, objective expression, and balanced consideration of opposing views. The document also distinguishes between internal position papers for individual preparation and public position papers as official country stances.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
100 views2 pages

Understanding Position Papers in EAPP

This document provides guidance on writing position papers. It defines a position paper as presenting the writer's stance on an issue while relating it to other positions. The purpose is to generate support for an issue by critically examining strengths and weaknesses of the author's opinion using facts and reasoning. Key parts include an introduction stating the position, body paragraphs with background and evidence supporting the position, and a conclusion with suggested actions. Guidelines emphasize logical thinking, objective expression, and balanced consideration of opposing views. The document also distinguishes between internal position papers for individual preparation and public position papers as official country stances.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES (EAPP)

Instructional Material
MELCs:
 Defends a stand on an issue by presenting reasonable arguments supported by properly cited factual evidences
 Writes various kinds of position papers

Task 1: Advance Reading on Doubts About Doublespeak by William Lutz


Answer the following questions:
1.
2. What are the uses of doublespeak?
3. What are the different kinds of doublespeak? Give some examples of each.
4. Does the author favor the use of doublespeak? Present the author's argument for his position.

Input 1:

POSITION PAPER
A position paper presents the writer’s stand or viewpoint on a particular issue.

Quite often, the readings cover more than one issue, and as a writer one must choose a particular area of focus.
The central goal of writing a position paper is not only to state and defend your position on the issue but also to show how
your stance relates to other positions.

PURPOSE OF POSITION PAPER


The purpose of a position paper is to generate support on an issue. It is a critical examination of a position using
facts and inductive reasoning, which addresses both strengths and weaknesses of the author’s opinion.

“The primary goal of a position paper is to declare a “position” on a certain matter or an issue. Its secondary goal
is to convince or persuade others to take that side of an issue or matter.”

PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE POSITION PAPER


1. Values Communicated
a. Logical Thinking --- process of using a rational, systematic series of steps based on sound mathematical
procedures and given statements to arrive at a conclusion
b. Objective expression of ideas --- expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceive without
distortion, personal feeling, prejudices interpretations
c. Balanced assignments of conflicting opinions --- use of language, shifting from the opposing
argument to supporting argument and expressing both the arguments and the counter arguments

2. Modes of Reasoning
a. Inductive --- derives a generalization from specific examples and situations. Through an organized
presentation of factual evidence and proofs, the reader is convinced of the soundness of the arguments
that lead to a well- founded general conclusion
b. Deductive --- proceeds from a general statement that leads to particular or specific inferences

3. Qualities of a Convincing Position Paper


a. Contains a clear proposition or statement that must be defended

1
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES (EAPP)
Instructional Material
b. Assesses conflicting opinions or opposing views on the issue.
c. Takes a firm stand on the issue
d. List arguments in an organized manner to defend the stand.
e. Presents factual evidence or proofs to support each argument .
Tips for Writing a good Position Paper
 Use simple language
 Give each separate idea its own paragraph
 Make sure each paragraph starts with a topic sentence.
 Constantly proofread for mistakes
 Cite your sources

How to Start Crafting a Well- Constructed Argument


 Choose the side on a particular controversial issue
 Build up a case for your opinion or position
 Use facts, opinion, statistics and other forms of evidences to convince your reader that your position is the
best one.

KINDS OF POSITION PAPER


1. Internal Position Papers
 are very valuable tools for individual preparation, as they force students to think about the full complexity of
the issues they are confronting from the delegation’s perspective.
 These types of position papers do not need to be more than one or two pages in length and may be written
either in paragraph form or with bullet points for each unique idea/issue in the topic area.
2. Public Position Papers
 is intended as a public statement of the country’s positions on the topics being discussed.
 It should include brief statements about where the country stands on the issue in question and on what the
country has done to confront this issue.

Written Work 3: Short Quiz

Performance Task 2
DIRECTIONS: Write a position paper on one of the following topics. Choose a topic that best suits your stand.
a. The best way to solve the most urgent problem of the country (e.g. pandemic, crime, corruption, poverty)
b. The best solution to Metro Manila’s (or any city’s/district’s) traffic problem
c. The best place to live in the Philippines
d. The best home/livelihood industry to engage in
e. The best way to support the Philippine athletes
f. The most important reform to introduce to ________________ (Philippine politics, sports, etc.)

Requirements
 Printed, short bond paper
 Arial, 11
 Line Spacing: 1.0
 Margin: Normal (1.0")
 Alignment: Justified
 Citation/References (if applicable)

Criteria for Grading

1. Introduction: 25

A. Identification of the Issue:


B. Statement of the Position:
2. Body: 40
A. Background Information:
B. Supporting Evidence or facts:
C. A discussion of both sides of the issue:
3. Conclusion: 25
A. Suggested Courses of Action:
B. Possible Solutions:
4. Correct Language Usage and Mechanics 10
Total: 100 points

Common questions

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A position paper's structure and content differ based on whether it is intended for an internal or public audience. Internal position papers focus on detailed complexity and may use bullet points, while public position papers serve as formal declarations of stance and include comprehensive statements and alignment with public communication strategies. This affects structure as internal papers are concise and direct, while public papers are more elaborated and formal .

Using doublespeak in professional communication has negative ethical implications as it involves deception, potentially misleading stakeholders and eroding trust. In contrast, position papers aim to clearly state and justify a stance through transparent and factual reasoning, promoting informed decision-making and ethical integrity .

A writer can address counterarguments by first acknowledging opposing views, then logically refuting them with evidence and reasoning. This is essential as it demonstrates the writer's thorough understanding of the issue and strengthens the overall argument by preemptively addressing potential criticisms .

Doublespeak is used to manipulate or obscure the truth in order to mislead or confuse audiences. Its uses include avoiding responsibility, making the negative appear positive, and creating a disconnect between reality and perception. This impacts communication by distorting facts and reducing clarity, ultimately undermining trust and transparency .

Inductive reasoning contributes by using specific examples and evidence to build a general conclusion, persuading the reader of the argument's validity. However, its limitations include the fact that the conclusions derived are not guaranteed to be true, as they are based on probability rather than certainty, which can weaken the position paper if the evidence selected is not representative .

Key qualities include having a clear proposition, assessing conflicting opinions, taking a firm stand, organizing arguments logically, and supporting each argument with factual evidence. Each quality is crucial as they collectively ensure clarity, credibility, and the strength of the argument, making the author's position more persuasive and compelling .

Challenges include dealing with complex or multifaceted issues and potential bias. These can be navigated by conducting thorough research to understand all aspects of the topic, identifying personal biases, and choosing a position that is well-supported by evidence and aligns with logical reasoning .

Logical thinking plays a crucial role by ensuring arguments are systematically and objectively organized, moving from premises to conclusions in a rational manner. Its effective use helps create coherent and convincing arguments, minimizing errors and biases and strengthening the credibility of the paper's assertions .

Supporting evidence is vital as it substantiates claims, enhancing the paper's credibility and persuasiveness. Without sufficient evidence, a position paper may appear opinion-based and unconvincing, leading to a loss of reader trust and potentially weakening the writer's argumentative stance .

Simple language enhances clarity and accessibility, allowing a wider audience to comprehend and engage with the paper's arguments. Conversely, overly technical language might alienate readers, obscure key points, and reduce the paper's overall persuasive power by limiting its reach and clarity .

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