EMILIANO TRIA TIRONA MEMORIAL NATIONAL INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL

Senior High School Department

Gahak, Kawit, Cavite
Activity Sheet no. 6A: Writing Position Paper
Name: ________________________________________ Grade and Section: Grade 12- _____________________________
Subject: English for Academic and Professional Purposes Teacher: Mr. J. R. Castro Date: _____________, 2025
Task #1: Read the selection below.
The Effects of Technology by Orton Taylor
Imagine what it was like in 1973, when the first cell phone was invented. Back then it was a novelty and a luxury to have a futuristic technological device that could keep you
connected to the rest of the world 24 hours a day. In that time, one would never believe that in just a few decades, the world would be overrun by technological devices such as
cell phones. Today, technology is an integral, commonplace part of everyone’s lives, however technology doesn’t just include cell phones, it encompasses computers, the
internet, videogames, television, movies, and practically anything with a screen. Many people can’t live without these forms of technology, and many people praise their ability to
make our lives easier. However, they are doing more harm than good, especially on youth. Technology is negatively affecting America’s youth because it is destroying social
skills and causing a dependency on constant stimulation.
The first reason technology negatively impacts youth is because it is destroying social skills. Many people believe that it has the reverse effect, and that it enables people to
always keep in contact with their friends and family through texting or social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. However, this interaction is very impersonal and the
result of this is that children are not developing crucial social skills. Hilary Stout of The New York Times reported that “Americans between the ages of 8 and 18 spend on
average 7 1/2 hours a day using some sort of electronic device” (Stout, 2010, p. 1). It is shocking to think that that is nearly one third of an entire day. In these hours and hours
young people spend on various modes of technology, they are sacrificing face to face contact and verbal conversations in the real world. Dr. Ortega, a child psychologist at New
York’s Child Mind Institute, sums up why this is such a problem. Ortega reports that the overuse of technology is causing children to lose their ability to read body language and
facial cues, resulting in an inability to keep up casual conversations or engage in the art of small talk (Bindley, 2011, p. 2). Because kids can check their phone for new texts or
play a mindless game as a strategy to avoid making eye contact with or talking to the people around them, they are literally losing the ability to converse with people in the real
world. No amount of good that comes from technology can make the fact that our children are losing their social skills acceptable.
The second reason technology negatively impacts youth is because it causes a dependency on constant stimulation. This is especially alarming when it comes to young
children. At this young age, these children’s minds are still developing. They are learning how to entertain themselves, how to problem solve, and how to be patient and wait for
things. How can children develop these skills when their parents are constantly stimulating them with TV shows, movies and cell phone games? Many people believe that these
forms of technology are a valuable teaching tool; however, they are teaching young people more bad habits than good. The worst habit of all is a dependency on constant
stimulation. This dependency is caused by an actual physiological process that happens when children use electronics, and Dr. Sigman, a leading child psychologist, explains
why. He explains that dopamine, a chemical in the brain that makes us feel reward, is released when children view electronic devices, and then goes on to say that “this
dopamine being produced every single day for many years, through for example playing computer games, may change the reward circuitry in a child's brain and make them
more dependent on-screen media” (Kelly, 2012, p. 2). What does this dependency mean for the future of these children? It means that they are desensitized to dopamine from
the constant supply of it through screens and technology, which causes an inability to focus on something like a book or a math problem that doesn’t give them that super-
stimulating effect. It is frightening to see how future generations will be affected by this over-stimulation problem.
People will always argue that technology offers so many benefits in their day to day lives. However, it is clear that it is more detrimental than most people realize. Technology is
destroying children’s social skills and causing a dependency on constant stimulation. Think about the future of America’s children. What good is having a smart phone with
endless knowledge at their fingertips when they can’t get a job due to an inability to keep up casual conversation in an interview? What favors are parents doing for their children
by shoving a television in front of them the second they get a little bored instead of interacting with them and helping them develop valuable skills? The answer to both questions
is nothing. It does no good and no favors to overuse technology in the way that Americans are currently overusing it.
Just as the times are very different 40 years ago when the first cell phone came out to now, imagine what the next 40 years will bring when it comes to technology’s role in
young people and society in general. In order to avoid the frightening ramifications as discussed throughout this paper, changes must be made in our youth and in the way this
country raises their children.

Source: [Link] [Link]?fbclid=IwAR2r0uWPbyiptDbeBxU1aBUsF9wHu3t2EqjLDX1HlyvXsJx_mOvQG2VFPBM

Task #2: Answer the following questions in two to three sentences.

1. What is the opinion of the writer about technology? (State the writer ‘s position)
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2. Do you agree with the writer? Why? Why not? (Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in agreeing or disagreeing with the views of others. I agree with the writer’s claim that… I
don’t agree with the authors ideas/ thoughts…because…)
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3. State the first argument of the writer? The first argument of the writer is
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4. What is the conclusion of the writer? (Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in Drawing Conclusion Using the Work of Others. Based on the writer, a connection can be made
between…or As a conclusion…)
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[Link] you were to write a position paper what will be your stance about technology? (Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in presenting your own point of view… I strongly believe
that... I think/contend that…)
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Task #3: Do you agree or disagree legalizing same sex marriages in our country? Why? Why not? Write your claims below.
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Task #4: What is your stand on the increasing rates of TEENAGE PREGNANCY? State your main idea or claim and supporting arguments below. Write your stand
below.
Main Idea/Claim: (A claim is an idea or arguable opinion that you have come up with on a given issue)
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ETTMNIHS- SHS: English for Academic and Professional Purposes 1

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Reason/Evidence: (Your reasons should support your claim and opinion based on facts)
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Task #5: Write a three- paragraph essay stating your position on the use of social media, will you consider it as a boon or bane? In the introduction part you should
capture the reader’s attention, define the issue given and state your claim. In Body, state three arguments then cite the evidence supporting your arguments. And in the
conclusion, restate your claim, summarize reasons, and explain why your stand/claim is worthy to read.

Content & Development- 30 points Organization and Structure- 15 points Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling- 15 points Total- 60 points

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EMILIANO TRIA TIRONA MEMORIAL NATIONAL INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School Department
Gahak, Kawit, Cavite
Activity Sheet no. 6B: Defending a Stand on an Issue and Writing a Position Paper
Name: ________________________________________ Grade and Section: Grade 12- _____________________________

ETTMNIHS- SHS: English for Academic and Professional Purposes 2

 Subject: English for Academic and Professional Purposes Teacher: Mr. J. R. Castro Date: _____________, 2025
Task #1: Read “Should Homework be Mandatory?” and answer the questions below.
Should Homework be Mandatory?
I can almost see many students nodding along with me as I ask this question. Younger generations overloaded with home tasks and numerous assignments have
already raised this issue many times.
Yet, homework remains mandatory. Is it fair or should it be cancelled?
I believe that homework should not be viewed as a mandatory part of education for several reasons.
First, children spend seven hours every single workday at school. That is a huge chunk of life, and with homework added on top of these hours, a child is left with no
time to live his life to the fullest, socialize, or grow in other areas.
Second, sitting at your desk solving problems does no good to your health. Kids need time to get outside and have some fun, join a football league, or ride their bikes
with friends around the block. Otherwise, children will be very smart but surprisingly weak physically.
Another argument against this position is that homework is not always the best way to obtain knowledge quality-wise. Students tend to ask their parents or siblings for
help whenever facing difficulties. Busy parents not always willing to spend extra time explaining school material to their little one solve the problems themselves aiming
to have more time for family, not lessons. As a result, the child will have the homework done. But that’s really not his work. So, the whole idea of dedicating time to
self- education is lost here.
Finally, knowing that after classes you would still have to work at home makes a kid less concentrated at school. This results in short attention spans and difficulty to
concentrate on something for too long.
All in all, homework should rather be an option. Students understanding that they are left behind at some subjects will take their time to go over the material at home.
However, in other cases, they should have time after school for other activities.

Guide Questions:
1. What is the position paper about?
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2. What is/are the claim/s of the writer?
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3. If you were the writer, what will be your stand? Defend your answer.
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Task #2: From the issues in the chart below, defend your stand by writing a position paper with the intention of convincing your reader to support your stand.
ISSUES STAND/CLAIM/POSITION
Poverty

Legalization of Marijuana

Dating/PDA Among Students in School

Abortion

School Uniform

Write your position paper on the issue of your choice.

Content & Development- 30 points Organization and Structure- 15 points
Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling- 15 Total- 60 points
points
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ETTMNIHS- SHS: English for Academic and Professional Purposes 3