WHAT IS A POSITION PAPER?

I. IDENTIFICATION
Directions: Identify the term being described from the statements below. Write T if the
statement is true and write F if otherwise. Write your answers in an A4
bond paper.

T 1. Persuasion writing appeals to the reader’s emotion.

T 2. Advertisements use persuasion.

T 3. Using persuasion will ask someone to act after believing what the
speaker has said.

T 4. Argumentation uses logic and evidences in making a claim.

T 5. Science and law use argumentation.
F 6. An introduction elaborates details of the writers’ position.
T 7. The conclusion reiterates the statement in the introduction.
T 8. The body of the paper is the largest part.
T 9. A thesis is an essential one-sentence part of the essay.
T 10. Writers need to exhaust ideas through extensive gathering of
information from different sources.

II. Directions: Identify what are the items being described in the sentences below.
These
words are important in presenting arguments. Write your answer in an A4
bond paper. Choose from the words inside the box.

Factual Argument Defense Persuade Opinion

Issue Reason Claim Evidence Counterclaim

It is a statement of reasons; facts intended to support a point of view. Argument

1.
2. A sufficient ground of explanation or logical defense to explain a fact.
3. It is restricted and is based on facts.
4. It is the point at which an unsettled matter is ready for a decision.
 5. It is an action or words to resist an attack.
6. It is to cause someone to believe about something through consistent effort of
convincing.
7. These are facts or information as a proof whether a belief or proposition is true or
valid.
8. This view or judgment about something is formed not necessarily based on fact
or knowledge.
9. This is purposely made to rebut a previous claim.
10. It is an assertion of the truth of something, typically one that is disputed or in
doubt.

There are two basics of writing which specialized at convincing. These are:
1. Persuasion appeals to readers’ emotions to make them believe something or take specific
action. Persuasion can also use logic and evidence.
Note: Refer to the color coding

There are two basics of writing which specialized at convincing. These are:
1. Persuasion appeals to readers’ emotions to make them believe something or take specific
action. Persuasion can also use logic and evidence.
Note: Refer to the color coding
Steps in Persuasive Writing
1. State your opinion and introduce your argument.
2. Give your reasons for your opinion.
3. Illustrate with examples to support your opinion.
4. Restate your opinion and your suggested solution.

Example:

Parents’ love which is illustrated with their sacrifices is worth recognition.

They send their children to school even if they have not gone to school
themselves, even if their own wants are sacrificed just to fund students’
needs. You, dear students must recognize this immeasurable love of your
parents by being good in your studies.
2. Argumentation relies on logic and evidence to build a case for a specific claim.
Argumentation de-emphasizes appeals to emotion.

Steps in Argumentative Writing

1. Make a claim
2. Support your claim with reasons/evidence
3. Acknowledge the counterclaim
4. Refute the counterclaim
5. Conclude with strong statement

Example:

Many students ignore the significance of doing well in their studies. They
often neglect their parents’ sacrifices by getting low grades or worst yet
getting a failing marks. On the other hand, psychologists say performance
in school is influenced by many factors which include peers. However, to
fair well in school is not only about influence but also about being exposed
to social realities such as difficulties of getting decent job. Thus, funding
students to school becomes a big sacrifice among parents.

Persuasive versus Argumentative

This table below will help you differentiate Persuasive writing from Argumentative
writing.
CHARACTERISTIC
PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATIVE
S
Claim is based on Claim is based on
CLAIM
opinion factual evidence
Asks audience to do Proves a point to the
PURPOSE
something. audience.
Based on character and Based on stabilized
BASIS
emotion. position and logic.
III. Directions: Read the descriptions below and identify whether it is a form of
persuasion or reason. Put a √(check) mark on your chosen answer.
PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATIVE
DESCRIPTION
WRITING WRITING
1. Writer starts with a strong opinion and
researches reasons to support it
2. Writer starts with a topic, researches, and
discusses all sides of the issue, and
chooses one side to support
3. Appeals to readers with logic
4. Appeals to readers with evidence
5. Appeals to readers with emotion

IV. PERFORMANCE TASK.

Directions: From the issues listed below, choose one (1) to work on to develop into a
position paper. Second, do some researching/reading to gather information. Third,
defend your standby writing a position paper with the intention of convincing your reader
to support your stand. Refer to the rubrics below. Write your position paper on an A4
bond paper.
List of Issues:
Online Classes Among Public Schools Students
Curfew Among Minors
Community Lockdown
Government Funds Distribution
Cyber Bullying
________________________________ (topic of your choice)

(Write your position paper here on the issue of your choice.)

Introduction
____________________________________________________________
 Catchy ____________________________________________________________
Topic ____________________________________________________________
sentence ____________________________________________________________
 Your
____________________________________________________________
Position
about the ____________________________________________________________
issue ____________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________
Body ____________________________________________________________
 Position ____________________________________________________________
 Evidences ____________________________________________________________
 Personal ____________________________________________________________
experience ____________________________________________________________
s relative
to the ____________________________________________________________
issue ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
Conclusion ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
 Summary, ____________________________________________________________
Conclusion
 Action ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

RUBRIC IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER:

SCORE

EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR POOR

CRITERION
4 3 2 1

Content and Takes a strong, Clear Position not No clear position

Development well-defined position clearly stated; taken; reasons
(50%) position; uses at taken and development is underdeveloped;
least three defined; brief, unrelated, no supporting facts
appropriate some unsupported used.
reasons with at reasons general
least two and some statements,
supporting details details reasons, and
for each reason. present, but details, minimal
Counter arguments not fully facts used.
effectively developed. Counter
addressed, without Counter arguments not
undercutting arguments acknowledged.
position. addressed.
x.50
Organization Structure of paper Structure is Structure of the Organization and
and Structure is clear and easy to mostly clear paper is not structure detract
(20%) follow. Paragraph and easy to easy to follow. the message of
transitions are follow. Paragraph the writer.
logical and Paragraph transitions need Paragraphs are
maintained the flow transitions improvement. disjointed and lack
of thought are present. Conclusion is transition of
throughout the Conclusion not logical. thoughts.
paper. Conclusion is logical.
is logical and flows
 from the body of
the paper.
x.20
Format Paper follows Paper Paper follows Paper lacks more
(10%) guidelines. Paper follows most of the elements of
has appropriate guidelines. guidelines. correct formatting.
length as described Paper has Paper is Paper is
for the assignment. appropriate over/under word inadequate/
Format enhances length for length. excessive in
readability of the the length.
paper. assignment.
Format is
good.
x.10
Grammar, Rules of grammar, Rules of Paper contains Paper contains
Punctuation usage, punctuation grammar, few grammatical,
& Spelling are followed; usage, grammatical, punctuation and
(20%) spelling is correct. punctuation punctuation and spelling errors.
Language is clear are followed spelling errors. Language uses
and precise; with minor Language lacks jargon or
sentences display errors. Few/ clarity or conversational
consistently strong, no spelling includes the use tone
varied structure. errors. of some jargon
or
conversational
tone.
x.20
OVERALL
SCORE
Source:https://eng.ucmerced.edu/people/awesterling/SPR2014.ESS141/Assignments/rubric2.pdf

Congratulations! The time you spent to ensure that you can express well in
writing in various situations was worth it! Pat your back! You’ve made It! You now have
a position paper of your own.

ANSWER KEY
Activity 1 (all answers are true (T) except no. 6 (F)

Activity 2
1. Argument
2. Reason
3. Factual
4. Issue
5. Defense
6. Persuade
7. Evidence
8. Opinion
9. Counterclaim
10. Claim

Activity 3.

1. Persuasive
2. Argument
3. Persuasive/Argument
4. Persuasive/Argument
5. Persuasive

Activity 4.

Answers may vary