LESSON 8 POSITION PAPER

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Read the specific directions carefully before answering the exercises and activities.
Accomplish this module on or before OCTOBER 23/30, 2020. For online consultations, please refer to the given
schedule.

ESSENTIAL LEARNING PURPOSES: At the end of these lessons, I am expected to:

1. Define what is a position paper;
2. Identify situations in which a position paper may be effectively in use.

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Before going further, let us see if you can answer this exercise. I know you can do it! This will help you
to determine your prior knowledge about this topic. Good luck!

Would you argue for or against the following topics? Tick the column of your choice.

Guide Questions:
1. Why is it important to express your stand on an issue that is important to you?
2. If you don’t have a stand or position on an important issue, does that make you less credible?

POSITION PAPER

A position paper presents an arguable opinion about an issue. It is an essay that presents an
opinion about an issue – typically that of the author or some specified entity. It is a critical analysis
of current facts, data and research literature. It present the arguable opinion about an issue.

Read the passage below and identify wat is the opinion/s being given by the writer.

Why do we need a Magna Carta for the digital age?

by Anne Jellema

HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 68
MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
APPLIED SUBJECT ABM, HUMSS, STEM, & TVL
 The World Wide Web Foundation was set up by the Web’s Inventor, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, to
achieve his vision of a Web that truly benefits humanity. Almost twenty six years ago, in March 1989, Sir
Tim Berners-Lee wrote a paper proposing an “information management” system for his colleagues at
CERN, a Swiss physics lab. This system, which became the World Wide Web, turned out to be so powerful
that it spread everywhere and changed our lives forever.

What was so magical about Sir Tim’s invention? Openness and freedom. Sir Tim and his
colleagues wanted everyone, everywhere to be able to add knowledge to the Web, so they gave its
building blocks - its source code - away to the world. That meant anyone could view everything on the
Web, make their own Web page, link to someone else’s Web page or develop a new app or service on the
Web without paying a fee to CERN or asking for permission.

This openness unleashed a tidal wave of innovation, and it is still powering new breakthroughs in
science, commerce, culture and much more besides. Students anywhere can access amazing free
resources from universities like Oxford or Harvard. People fighting injustice and corruption can make their
voices heard around the world. Indie musicians, designers and film makers can reach huge audiences on
practically no budget. A tiny start-up can become a billion dollar business.

Because the Web and the internet have grown so powerful, many would now like to colonise it
for their own ends. Some governments are spying on pretty much everything their citizens do and say
online, regardless of whether or not they are suspected of any crime. Other governments want to be able
to decide what can or cannot be published online without going through any kind of legal process. Some
even harass and arrest bloggers who criticize them. Meanwhile, buying and selling the personal data that
we reveal online has become big business, often with scant regard for our rights to privacy. Some
companies would even like to create “toll lanes” on the internet, with certain paid services and content
getting priority.

As a result, myself, Sir Tim and many others are concerned about the future of the Web, and the
future of the Web is the future of the society that you are going to live in. Will you have an open platform
to create and express what you like and communicate and connect with anyone securely? Or will that be
available to only some of you, perhaps those who can pay the most, or those whose political beliefs and
lifestyle are “approved” by the government of the day?

The biggest threat to the Web today is not actually from companies or governments. Instead, the
biggest threat is us simply taking it all for granted. The Web We Want campaign, an initiative by the World
Wide Web Foundation, is building a global movement of ordinary people standing up for their rights to
free expression, privacy and creativity online. We need a “Magna Carta for the Web,” which everyone
around the world can build together. Instead of allowing governments and companies to determine the
rules of the internet, we think it’s time for internet users themselves, the true owners of the World Wide
Web, to say what they want. For example, under what circumstances is it acceptable for governments to
monitor and store our emails, and should they have to tell us when they do? What should we do about
hate speech, bullying and extremism online? If I share my personal details with the likes of Facebook or
Google, can that company resell and reuse my data without my permission? Should governments have an
obligation to make sure that everyone has affordable access to the internet just like water and electricity?
Should internet service providers be allowed to create “fast lanes” for certain kinds of paid content and
services?

Yet, agreeing to an internet users’ charter is not enough. We will need to change laws and
change how companies behave and that is not going to happen overnight. It will require the efforts of
millions of Web citizens, people like you, to make this happen.

HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 69
MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
APPLIED SUBJECT ABM, HUMSS, STEM, & TVL
 We’ve already seen that change is possible. Last year, for example, the United Nations adopted a
resolution saying the same human rights people have offline must be respected online. Brazil has passed a
digital bill of rights for its citizens called Marco Civil da Internet. Like the Web, it was built by people, using
a ground breaking, inclusive and participatory process so that the voices of all stakeholders (companies,
government and ordinary web users) could be heard equally.

It’s time to stand up for the rights we want in the digital era. It might seem like a tall order, but
our secret weapon is the World Wide Web itself. We can use it to connect all the different people fighting
for freedom and privacy online in their respective countries, and in that way, we can build a Magna Carta
for the Web in the same way that the Web was built – from the bottom up.
Source: British Library https://www.bl.uk/my-digital-rights/articles/why-we-need-a-magnacarta-
for-the-digital-age
“Why do we need a Magna Carta for the digital age?” by Anne Jellema, licensed under CC
BY 4.0 /Desaturated from original

How did the writer of the article tackle a contemporary issue? Is the article a reflection of the writer’s
opinion about the issue? To what extent did the writer resort to opinion? Is this particular article what you might
call opinionated writing? Or is it a balance of one’s personal views and verifiable and accurate facts?

What is a POSITION PAPER?

The position paper is a form of writing used in academic and professional

contexts that summarizes the writer’s arguments supporting a certain
issue. It is persuasive written discourse reflecting an individual’s view about an issue that is often controversial,
requiring one’s definitive stance.

It is also called an argumentative paper or a manifesto, is an essay that presents a person’s or group’s
position or stand on a particular issue. Its goal is to convince the reader of the acceptability of the writer’s position
and it does so by:
 Presenting rational support to a writer’s position, through the use of evidence;
 Presenting counter-evidence to or flaws in the arguments of the opposing position and
 Using emotional appeals.

PURPOSE OF POSITION PAPER

 To help you understand your nation’s views and interests on the various issues that you will discuss
during the conference.
 To generate support from the readers through strong and valid assertions.
 To generate support on an issue. It describes a position on an issue and the rational for that position.

PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER

According to McWhorter (2011) a position paper contain the following elements:

HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 70
MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
APPLIED SUBJECT ABM, HUMSS, STEM, & TVL
Note the following example of an outline of a position paper:

Introduction
The Department of Health is overseeing issues concerning the health and eating habits of school children.

Thesis Statement
Stricter regulations should be imposed on the selling of junk food in school cafeteria.

Supporting statements for the topic

1. Junk foods contain harmful fats and additives that jeopardize the health of
individuals.
2. Studies have proven that test results improved when children refrained from
eating junk foods.
3. The school cafeteria has to set a good example of healthy eating habits among
students.

HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 71
MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
APPLIED SUBJECT ABM, HUMSS, STEM, & TVL
 Counterarguments
1. Other factors such as genetics and environmental
toxins also do harm to
individuals.
2. The high test scores could have been due to other
factors such as positive
reinforcement from their parents.
3. The school cafeteria administrators cannot always
monitor what students eat
outside the school.

Supporting details to validate or oppose counterargument

1. Genetics and the environment are certainly factors to consider, but poor eating
habits and unhealthy food choices only aggravate the problem.
2. Conclusive studies have pointed to a positive correlation between healthy eating
habits and high IQ.
3. School officials can implement stricter policies granting school cafeteria
administrators such authority.

Summary
Banning junk foods in school cafeterias across the country will ensure the health of school children,
thereby paving the way towards a healthier nation composed of physically and mentally capable citizens.

Guidelines for Writing a Position Paper

• Have a definitive stand.
• Do a thorough research of the issue.
• Be prepared to defend your position and provide evidence for your
counterarguments.
• Your conviction should be reflected in your thesis statement.

A. Think of the controversial issues that you feel strongly about and list your
argument/s for or against it.

B. Choose from one of the controversial topics you wrote in CHECK A and write an
outline of a position paper on the said topic with the following elements:
Introduction
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
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Thesis Statement
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Supporting statements for the topic

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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2. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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3. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Counterarguments
1. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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2. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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3. _____________________________________________________________________________________
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Supporting details to validate or oppose counterargument

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Summary
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 73
MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
APPLIED SUBJECT ABM, HUMSS, STEM, & TVL
 A. Read the short position paper below and answer the questions that follow.

Single-use plastic disposables, including plastic takeaway containers, cups, plates and bowls
(usually made from expanded polystyrene or commonly known as styrofoam); plastic forks, spoons
and knives; plastic straws and stirrers; plastic bags; and plastic beverage bottles, pose a serious
environmental problem around the world because plastics do not break down easily in nature and
could release some toxic chemicals under certain conditions.

We believe that it is time for Singapore to be more serious in reducing our consumption of
single-use plastic disposables. There are benefits for Singapore in reducing plastic disposables,
which include: reinforcing our image as a Clean and Green city and a Zero Waste Nation; contributing
to our national target of 70% recycling rate by 2030; reducing the plastic litter that goes into our
waterways; and reducing our carbon emissions from the incineration of plastics.

This position paper describes the current situation and problem, highlights the considerations
and responses, and lists several recommendations to reduce plastic disposables. We urge the
government and businesses in Singapore to consider these recommendations, and develop concrete
plans and take bold actions to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic disposables.

Analysis Question:

1. What is the issue taken about up in the position paper?

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2. What is the writer’s claim or thesis on the issue?

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3. What reasons are given to support this claim?

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4. What kinds of support are given for the reasons?

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5. What counterargument/s is/are presented? How are these refuted?

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HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 74
MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
APPLIED SUBJECT ABM, HUMSS, STEM, & TVL
 _____________________________________________________________________________________
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6. Do you find the position paper convincing? Why or why not?

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B. Use the subject below, then use the structure to write your narrative.

SUBJECT: A new policy will ban Facebook access to all kids below 18 years old.

Introduction: State your position. Who is your audience? Who are you trying to
persuade?

Reasons: List 3 reasons. Think of your audience and what reasons might
persuade them.

Conclusion: Restate your opinion in a way that relates it to a greater statement

about the world or society

Write the first draft for your position paper based on the outline you have submitted in
Module 2. Make sure your draft includes all the elements of a position paper.

Be guided by these questions:

1. What guidelines did you follow in expressing your opinion?

2. Did the facts support your position or detract from it?

HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 75
MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
APPLIED SUBJECT ABM, HUMSS, STEM, & TVL
 To help you understand position papers better, access the following
links:

“How to Write a Position Paper”

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-position-paper-1857251

“Easy Steps to Write a Position Paper”

https://letterpile.com/writing/How-to-Write-a-Position-Paper-which-argues-aclaim

“Writing a Position Paper”

https://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eERx5eOe8gY

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

NEXT LESSON: Concept Paper

ENHANCE ENGLISH ENGAGEMENT

English for Academic and Professional Purposes
(Mishima Z. Miciano/Remedios Z. Miciano)

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ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
AND SKILLS AND STRATEGIES FOR ACADEMIC DISCOURSE 1st edition
(Lorna A. Billanes, Ph.D)

HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY | SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM 77
MODULE IN ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
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