P re test

Directions: Read each item very carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write
your answers in your activity notebook.

1. Which of these is NOT a part of a position paper?

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

2. Which part introduces the topic?

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

3. The part of a position paper that contains the central argument is ______.
A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

4. The evidence supporting your position is an important part of the_______ A. body B.

title C. conclusion D. introduction

5. Which part summarizes then concludes your argument?

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

6. What is the main goal of a position paper?

A. to inform
B. to criticize
C. to entertain
D. to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and defensible

7. Which is NOT a reason why we need to write a position paper?

A. To become well known
B. It improves your writing skills
C. It guides and prepares you to speak
D. It helps you gain insight on the issue.

8. Which should NOT be considered in writing the body of a position paper? A. Criticize
others.
B. Gather enough information.
C. Conduct research on the issue.
D. Gather enough factual evidences to support your arguments.

9. Which is true about the introduction of a position paper? A. Topic is implied.

B. It is hanging.
C. It should be dramatic.
D. Topic is clearly presented and introduce

10. How should the conclusion of a position paper be written? A. It is hanging.

B. It should be challenging.
C. It should entertain the readers.
D. It should restate your argument and leave an impact.

11. The following are the tips for writing a position paper. Which should not be in the group?
A. Cite sources.
B. Use simple words.
 C. It should be creative.
D. Give each separate idea its paragraph.

12. Which should not be done in writing a position paper? A. Attack others.
B. Prepare an outline.
C. Constantly proofread your work.
D. Choose a topic of your interest.

13. Which part of a position paper does this paragraph belong to?

“A few years ago, when my daughter was a college freshman, I wrote a column singing
the praises of e-mail. We were, suddenly, corresponding. It was, I decided, the revenge
of print on electronics - a whole generation raised on the tube and the phone,
rediscovering the lost art of writing letters. How utterly charming.”

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

14. To what part does the paragraph below fall?

“E-mail is also not secure. The magazine that I edit regularly gets highly personal
missives, sent by mistake to the wrong e-mail address thanks to a typo. With the phone,
you know as soon as you have the wrong number. And misaddressed letters either get
returned or end up in the dead letter office.”

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

15. The following are transition words for writing a conclusion. Which one does not belong to
the group?
A. so B. finally C. likewise D. in conclusion

Position Paper
Like a debate, a position paper presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue.
The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and
defensible. Ideas that you are considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic,
developing your argument, and organizing your paper.

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It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it
in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to take one side of the
argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic
being presented.

It is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims,
as well as to refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides

Lesson 1.1. Why Write a Position Paper

It is important to write a position paper for each of your topics because it will help you gain
insight into the issue and prepare you to speak. A good position paper not only requires
research skills but also involves the ability to critically analyze the information you gather
through your research. I can assure you where you can get help with it. Check it at
https://grand-essays.com/

A position paper is helpful for the evaluation process. It summarizes your research and
improves your writing skills. It is also a helpful guide for you at a conference.

Lesson 1.2. Parts of a Position Paper

The classic position paper contains three main parts:

1. An Introduction, which identifies the issue that will be discussed and states the
author’s position on that issue.

2. The Body of the paper, which contains the central argument and can be further
broken up into three unique sections:
A. Background information
B. Evidence supporting the author’s position
C. A discussion of both sides of the issue, which addresses and refutes
arguments that contradict the author’s position

3. A Conclusion, restating ensure the validity of your claims, as well as refute the
counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides.

Here is another graphical explanation for you.

Parts of a Position Paper

1 paragraph
Introduction *Start with a topic sentence that
attracts attention and summarizes the
issue
*Inform the reader of your point of view
Body *Focus on three main points:
3 paragraphs
-general statement of position
-elaboration that references
documents and source 3 data
-past experiences
authoritative testimony
 Conclusion *Summarize, then conclude, your
1-2 paragraphs
argument

source: https://www.slideshare.net/LeahCondina1/position-paper-q2

Lesson 1.3. Writing a Position Paper

The following will help you get ready for your writing activity:

A. Tips for writing a good position paper:

• Use simple language.

• Give each separate idea its paragraph.
• Make sure each paragraph starts with a topic sentence.
• Constantly proofread for mistakes!
• Cite your sources.

B. Transitions

In academic writing, your goal is to convey information clearly and concisely, if not to convert
the reader to your way of thinking. Transitions help you to achieve these goals by
establishing logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your
papers. In other words, transitions tell readers what to do with the information you present
them. Whether single words, quick phrases, or full sentences, they function as signs for
readers that tell them how to think about, organize, and react to old and new ideas as they
read through what you have written.

Transitions signal relationships between ideas. Transitions provide the reader with directions
for how to piece together your ideas into a logically coherent argument. They are words with
particular meanings that tell the reader to think and react in a particular way to your ideas. In
providing the reader with these important cues, transitions help readers understand the logic
of how your ideas fit together.

The table of transitions below will help you in organizing your paragraphs.

LOGICAL TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION

RELATIONSHIP

Similarity also, in the same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly
Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the one hand ... on the other hand,
nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the
contrary, still, yet

Sequence/Order first, second, third, ... next, then, finally

Time after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier,

immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously,
subsequently, then

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Example for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate
Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly

Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby,

there

Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus

Additional Support or additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally

Evidence important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then

Conclusion/Summary finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, in the final

analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in
sum, in summary

For more information on transitions

visit: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html

C. Outline

Now, here’s a sample outline for you to further help you organize your paragraphs. This will
guide you in your writing activity.

Sample Outline for a Position Paper

I. Introduction
A. Introduce the topic
B. Provide background on the topic
C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue)

II. Counter Argument

A. Summarize the counterclaims.
B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims.
C. Refute the counterclaims.
D. Give evidence for an argument.

III. Your Argument

A. Assert point #1 of your claims 1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide support.

B. Assert point #2 of your claims 1. Give your opinion.

2. Provide support.

C. Assert point #3 of your claims 1. Give your opinion.

2. Provide support.

IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your argument.
B. Provide a plan of action.

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General Directions: Work on Activities 1-3 that follow. Do it on a separate sheet of paper.

Activity 1.1 Check Your Understanding

Directions: Read the statement below. Then write T if it is true and F if false.

T 1. A position paper generally contains the opinion of the writer.

F 2. A position paper may not be formal.
T 3. Writing a position paper requires three parts- the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.
F 4. Position Paper is not a type of academic writing.
T 5. When you want your stand to be heard, a position paper can be the best platform.

Posttest
Directions: Choose the letter that corresponds to the correct answer. Write your answers in
your activity notebook.

1. The following are transition words for writing a conclusion. Which one does not belong to
the group?
A. so B. finally C. likewise D. in conclusion

2. Which part of a position paper does this paragraph belong to?

“A few years ago, when my daughter was a college freshman, I wrote a column singing
the praises of e-mail. We were, suddenly, corresponding. It was, I decided, the revenge
of print on electronics - a whole generation raised on the tube and the phone,
rediscovering the lost art of writing letters. How utterly charming.”

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

3. Which should NOT be done in writing a position paper?

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 A. Attack others. C. Constantly proofread your work B. Prepare
an outline. D. Choose a topic of your interest

4. To what part does the paragraph below fall?

“E-mail is also not secure. The magazine that I edit regularly gets highly personal
missives, sent by mistake to the wrong e-mail address thanks to a typo. With the phone,
you know as soon as you have the wrong number. And misaddressed letters either get
returned or end up in the dead letter office.”

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

5. The following are the tips for writing a position paper. Which should NOT be in the
group? A. Cite sources.
B. Use simple words.
C. It should be creative.
D. Give each separate idea in its paragraph.

6. Which is true about the introduction of a position paper?

A. Topic is implied. C. It should be dramatic.
B. It is hanging. D. Topic is presented and introduced

7. Which is NOT a reason why we need to write a position paper?

A. To become well known
B. It improves your writing skills.
C. It guides and prepares you to speak.
D. It helps you gain insight into the issue.

8. How should the conclusion of a position paper be written? A. It is hanging.

B. It should be challenging.
C. It should entertain the readers.
D. It should restate your argument and leave an impact.

9. Which should NOT be considered in writing the body of a position paper?

A. Criticize others.
B. Gather enough information.
C. Conduct research on the issue.
D. Gather enough factual evidence to support your arguments

10. What is the main goal of a position paper?

A. to inform
B. to criticize
C. to entertain
D. to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and defensible

11. Which part summarizes then concludes your argument?

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

7
12. The evidence supporting your position is an important part of the_______.
A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

13. Which part introduces the topic?

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

14. The part of a position paper that contains the central argument is ______.
A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction

15. Which of these is NOT a part of a position paper?

A. body B. title C. conclusion D. introduction