Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF PANGASINAN II
SAN JACINTO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
GUIBEL/CAPAOAY, SAN JACINTO, PANGASINAN

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC

AND PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES
Self-Learning Module

Quarter 2 – Module 3:
Writing Various Kinds of Position Paper

(Name of Learner)

_
(Grade Level & Section)

AN_NA L__O_R__R_AI_N_E__T. _M__A_M__U__Y_A__C___

Subject Teachers
Adviser

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 Week 3:
(Week Covered and Date)

2ND QUARTER

I. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations for completing the previous modules! You are now ready for the next step which is
writing a position paper. This will help you become objective about the issues that the world is facing this
modern time. Also, this will allow you to share your thoughts and opinions, reasons through factual evidences
and express a stand through writing.
It is said that the hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action, and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and accomplish. Hence, the hand in
this learning resource signifies that you as a learner is capable and empowered to
successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own
hands and to learn more effectively, do not forget to enjoy learning. Good luck!
II. LESSONS AND COVERAGE:
Lesson – Writing Various Kinds of Position Paper
Most Essential Learning Competency: The most essential learning competency covered in this module is to write
various kinds of position papers (CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-IIa-d-5)
Objectives:
In this module, the students are expected to:
 Define a position paper;
 Identify situations for position paper writing;
 Gather and analyze arguments; and
 Defend a stand on an issue; and
 Write various kinds of position paper.
II. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION

LESSON 1 Writing Various Kinds of Position Paper

What to KNOW

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 Pre-Assessment
I. TRUE or FALSE
Instructions: 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 your EAPP activity notebook.
1. Position Paper reflects series of statements for or against something that involves logic, research evidence,
and assertion to make persuasion.
2. As a type of paper, a position paper should not only criticize but should also express challenges.
3. A manifesto can be written by anybody regardless of status.
4. A social issue can be a good subject of an essay.
5. The body of an essay is where pieces of evidence are stated to prove a claim.
6. Conclusions in an essay are more detailed than the body.
7. pieces of evidence in an argument add weight to a claim.
8. An emphatic statement at the end of an argument will influence adjudicators/judges in a debate to merit
the speaker’s claim.
9. Gathering of pieces of evidence need not be done as long as words are chosen properly to express a strong
claim.
10. Thorough investigation about a subject must be observed in any essay.
II. MULTIPLE CHOICE
Instructions: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers in your EAPP activity
notebook.
1. What part of the essay do we restate the argument of the paper?
a. body b. conclusion c. introduction
2. How can you make your position paper strong?
a. Be sure to annotate your paper.
b. Record your observations and past them on YouTube.
c. Give an educated and informed opinion with supporting evidence.
3. What is the ideal minimum number of paragraphs in a position paper?
a. three paragraphs b. five paragraphs c. two paragraphs
4. Which of the following is not included in the position paper?
a. counter-argument b. Importance of the topic c. Background of the topic
5. How many main points can be written in the body of the position paper?
a. one main point b. Two main points c. Three main points
III. PUZZLE
Instructions: Copy the puzzle below in your EAPP activity notebook and encircle the terms that pertain to writing a
Position Paper. You can go horizontal or diagonal.

How did you find the activity? Keep your focus. You will come across those words in the next
activities. Good Luck!
Activity 1: Issues and Opinions in a Cup
Directions: Think of three (3) problems that we encounter in Philippine society today. Enumerate these problems in the space
provided on the left side of the chart below. Write your opinion about each of them on the right side of the chart. Write your
answers in your EAPP activity notebook.
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 Issues/Problems Your Opinion
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
Activity 2: Unscramble the Problems and Issues in the Society
Directions: Arrange the letters to form words. Hint: Problems and Issues in the Society. Write your answers in your
EAPP activity notebook.
1. V R T O E P Y
2. L I C A U I D J I N L I K G L
3. L U I P O T L O N
4. A M I A N L Y B A I E A L N T B R I A H I T O
5. E S X D A T U N E I C O

Bravo! Now, let us study the concepts related to your activity.

What is a position paper?

A position paper is a typical kind of scholarly academic paper. It is composed after finding out about and examining a
specific issue. It is written by an author to make an argument that must be based on proof or pieces of evidence.
What is the purpose of a position paper?
Position paper aims to present the stand of the author or a person on an issue. It also incorporates supportive evidence
that is based on facts. The evidence is needed to establish and strengthen the claims or arguments of the writer on the issue.
What are the parts of a position paper?
Position paper consists of three parts such as the introduction, body, and conclusion.
The first part is the introduction. It consists of the introduction of the issue, an explanation of the topic to provide the
background information of the issue, and the assertion of the thesis statement.
The second part is the body. It includes a summary of the counterclaims and your arguments. Summary of the
counterclaims refers to the counter-arguments of others who disagree with your claims or stand on an issue. In this part, you must
also provide supporting information and refute the counterclaims by providing
evidence. After it is the presentation of your arguments. It is the part where you must assert your claims by giving educated and
informed opinions. These should be supported or proven by providing evidence from various sources, preferably three.
The last part is the conclusion. It includes the restatement of the thesis statement, arguments, and implications. You
may include a plan of action but do not introduce new information.
Reminders:
1. Make sure that your position paper has a clear topic and issue that has adequate findings and support.
2. Make sure that the issue you are writing about is real and has two distinct sides that you can take.
3. Make sure you can provide evidence and support to side and claims.

Examples:
Topic: ROTC
Issue: Inclusion of ROTC in SHS curriculum
Stand: In Favor
Claims: 1) It promotes culture of discipline and responsibility.
2) It provides opportunity to inculcate the values of patriotism, nationalism, and character-
building.
3) It provides training that will develop students’ leadership skills.
Thesis Statement:
ROTC should be part of the SHS curriculum because it promotes culture of
discipline and responsibility, provides opportunity to inculcate the values of
patriotism, nationalism, and character-building, and provides training that will
develop students’ leadership skills.
As you can see in the box, an issue is derived from a topic. Before you decide on writing your position paper, make sure
you check if the issue is real or timely. Then you proceed on analyzing if the issue has two sides before you decide if you are in
favor or against it. After which, you need to provide at least three main reasons why you are in favor or not. Make sure that you
can supplement your reasons with facts and evidence to strengthen your claims. Having a clear topic, issue, stand and three claims
is not enough unless you have your thesis statement. Hence, you have to make sure that your thesis statement will include the
topic, issue, your stand, and three claims.
How Should a Position Paper be Outlined?
I. Introduction
A. Presentation of the topic
B. Presentation of the background information
C. Presentation of the thesis statement
II. Body
A. Presentation of the Summary of the Counterclaims
B. Presentation of the Arguments
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 1. First Argument
a. Evidence/Support
2. Second Argument
a. Evidence/Support
3. Third Argument
b. Evidence/Support
III. Conclusion
A. Restatement of the thesis statement, arguments, action plan
Why is Writing a Position Paper Relevant?
Writing a position paper will help you gain insight into the issue. It will also improve your critical thinking ability since it
requires research skills in gathering, evaluating, and analyzing information.
What to PROCESS
There are two basics of kinds of writing which are specialized at convincing. These are:
1. Persuasion appeals to readers’ emotions to make them believe something or take a specific action. Persuasion can also use
logic and evidence.
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 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 a 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 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 a decent job. Thus, funding students to
school becomes a big sacrifice among parents.
Persuasive versus Argumentative
The table below will help you differentiate Persuasive writing from Argumentative writing.
CHARACTERISTICS PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATIVE
CHARACTERISTICS PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATIVE
CLAIM The claim is based on opinion The claim is based on factual evidence
PURPOSE Asks audience to do something. Proves a point to the audience.
BASIS Based on character and emotion. Based on stabilized position and
logic.

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 How did you find the new information you have learned? I hope it could help you as you accomplish the exercises tha

Activity 3: Picturing a Story

Directions: Write a three-paragraph essay stating your position on the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Will you consider it as a
boon or bane? Write it in your EAPP activity notebook. Be guided by the rubric below.
(50 points)

(Write your title)

Introduction: (In the introduction part you should capture the reader’s attention, define the issue given and state your
claim.)

Body: (State three arguments then cite the evidence supporting your
arguments)

Conclusion: (This part includes restating your claim, summarizing reasons, and explaining why your stand/
the claim is worthy to read)

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 Rubrics

Criterion/ Nearing Proficiency Proficient Advanced

Content (1 point) (3 points) (5 points)
Introduction There is presentation and There is a presentation and There is a clear and accurate
(2x) discussion of the topic, issue, but discussion of the topic, issue, presentation and discussion of
lack the background information, background the topic, issue, background
and the thesis information but lack the thesis information, and the thesis
statement. statement. statement.
Body There is a clear and accurate There is a clear and accurate There is a clear and accurate
(4x) presentation and discussion of presentation and discussion of presentation and discussion of
the summary of the the summary of the the summary of the
counterclaims and provision of counterclaims and provision of counterclaims and provision of
only one argument with support only two arguments with support three or more arguments with
and evidence. and evidence. adequate support and evidence.

Conclusion There is a restatement of the There is a restatement of the There is a restatement of the
(2x) arguments, but no thesis arguments, thesis statement but arguments, thesis statement, and
statement, and plan of action. no plan of action. plan of action.

Organization Some of the ideas are not Most of the ideas are organized. All ideas are well-organized.
(1x) organized. The flow of ideas is The flow of thoughts is mostly The flow of
hard to follow and understand. easy to thoughts are easy to follow and
follow and understand. understand.
Mechanics Many sentences are Only few sentences are All sentences are
(1x) ungrammatically structured. ungrammatically structured. grammatically structured with
There are also errors in spelling There are only a few errors in no errors in spelling and
and punctuation. spelling and punctuation. punctuation.
What to UNDERSTAND
Activity 4. Reading to Take a Stand
Directions: Read the given essay then, answer the given questions below. Write it in your EAPP activity notebook.
The Importance of Being Persuasive
Marikit Tara Alto Uychoco
The world we live in is filled with people, products, and movements that aim to persuade individuals and groups toward
their ends. This is seen in television commercials, political speeches, election campaigns, and homilies in church. This is done
even in the institutions that are closest to us, such as the school and the family. Everywhere, everyone wants us to do something,
whether it is to follow the Ten Commandments, to buy the latest gadget, or to go against an ideology.
The truth is, many of the arguments and positions that we are given can be unreasonable, deceitful, or just plain wrong.
Sometimes, we can have the uneasy feeling that we are being forced into believing or doing something that isn't right, and many
times that feeling would be proven to be true. It is important to be able to fully articulate the problems and concerns one may have
when it comes to grappling with several positions to discover their societal and political significance and to be able to use this skill
in every instance of our lives. According to Walter Lipman, we need to hear the opinion of others, since "freedom of discussion
improves our own opinions" (Malaya and Uychoco 1999:8).
You are at the point in your life where your parents can no longer shelter you from the evils of this world, and the best
weapon you have in this competitive and chaotic society is your mind. The ability to appreciate and create sophisticated positions
in this world will guide you in every endeavor, whether it is in choosing the right university profession, and later marriage partner.
One does not have to be a lawyer or a politician to be able to analyze arguments and positions These skills regarding
argumentation and persuasion have been put to use by parents, teachers, priests, reporters, writers, and businessmen; in short,
anyone who wants to persuade, influence, or control anyone else. Among the Greeks, the art of argumentation, rhetoric, was an
essential part of a liberal education.
As citizens of the nation, we must be equipped with the skills necessary in understanding, analyzing, and constructing
these different positions. This is an academic exercise that, when acquired correctly, should apply to your understanding of the
world. According to former US President Bill Clinton, "For any country to succeed in the long term, it is imperative that citizens
understand the workings of government and also become active participants in it... We must take every opportunity to examine
our political life and to debate the grand issues of our time (qtd. in Malaya and Uychoco 1999:13)".
1. Do you agree with the essay? Why or why not?
2. What are the instances when you felt you were doing or believing something wrong but were not able to fully explain or say
why you felt that way?
3. What issues do you think are important in your life? Why is it important to analyze them?
4. Why is it important for citizens of the nation to be able to analyze an argument?
What to TRANSFER
Activity 5. Activity 7: Let’s Scribble! (Fourth Performance Task in the Second Quarter)
Directions: From the issues listed below, choose one (1) to work on to develop into a position paper. Second, do some
research/reading to gather information. Third, defend your stand by writing a position paper to convince your reader to support
your stand. Refer to the rubric that we used in activity 3. Write your position paper on a sheet of paper. K indly comment your
answers in this activity in our G o o g l e Classroom).
List of Issues:
Online Classes Among Public Schools Students
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 Curfew Among Minors
Community Lockdown
Government Funds Distribution
Cyber Bullying
(the topic of your
choice) Be guided by the rubric that we used in activity 3. (55 points)
Topic: (1 point)
Issue: (1 point)
Thesis Statement: (2 points)
Title of your position paper: _ (1 point)

IV. Summary/Synthesis/Generalization
Remember!
The activities that are important to make a convincing stand.
A. Identify the issue
B. Make a stand
C. Formulate your thesis statement about your stand on the issue you have identified.
D. Do research and readings to gather the information that will be used as pieces of evidence.
E. Present an effective argument
The basic parts of a position paper are as follows:
Introduction - Identification of the issue and background and the statement of the position.
Body - Description of the argument and presentation of facts and pieces of evidence
Conclusion - Restatement of main points and summarizes arguments, the suggestion of the course of
action or possible solutions
Taking a stand about an issue will empower someone to change the opinions and attitudes of others. Thus, in bringing about
societal change the challenge is to be firm in making a stand.

Congratulations! The weeks you spent to ensure that you can express well in writing in various situations was wort

V. EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
A. Directions: Match the descriptions in Column A with the terms in column B. Write your answers on one whole sheet of
pad paper.
Column A Column B
1. A one-sentence statement about the topic. A. Argument
2. A statement that relies on logic and evidence. B. Persuasion
3. A statement that appeals to emotion to convince. C. Thesis
4. It is a part of the essay where you encourage readers to take action. D. Body
E. Introduction
5. It is a part of the essay which elaborates on detail. F. Conclusion
6. A paper that poses the writers' position of an issue. G. Position Paper
7. A type of writing which uses examples to defend a claim.

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 8. An academic writing that shows how your stance relates to other
positions.
9. A written form that de-emphasizes appeal to emotion.
10. An element of a position paper that includes personal experiences to
illustrate a position.
10. An argument does not have a single winner or loser.
B. 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 on one whole sheet of pad paper.
1. Persuasion writing appeals to the reader’s emotion.
2. Advertisements use persuasion.
3. Using persuasion will ask someone to take action after believing what the speaker has said.
4. Argumentation uses logic and pieces of evidence in making a claim.
5. Science and law use argumentation.
6. An introduction elaborates details of the writers’ position.
7. The conclusion reiterates the statement in the introduction.
8. The body of the paper is the largest part.
9. A thesis is an essential one-sentence part of the essay.
10. Writers need to exhaust ideas through an extensive gathering of information from different sources.
C. Identify what are the items being described in the sentences below. These words are important in presenting arguments.
Choose from the words inside the box. Write your answers on one whole sheet of pad paper.
Factual Argument Defense Persuade Opinion
Issue Reason Claim Evidence Counterclaim
1. It is a statement of reasons; facts intended to support a point of view.
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. An action or words to resist an attack.
6. It is to cause someone to believe something through the consistent effort of convincing.
7. These are facts or information as proof of whether a belief or proposition is 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. An assertion of the truth of something, typically one that is disputed or in doubt.
Congratulations! Lesson 2 was a bit hard right? But I am sure you were able to apply your learning from the

VI. ANSWER KEY

Pre-Assessment Activity 1: Issues and Opinions in Activity 2: Unscramble the
I. 1. T II. 1. B a Cup Problems and Issues in the
2. T 2. C Answers may vary Society
3. T 3. C 1. POVERTY
4. T 4. A 2. JUDICIAL KILLING
5. T 5. C 3. POLLUTION
6. F III. 1. argument 4. MANILA BAY
7. T 2. stand REHABILITATION
8. T 3. pieces of evidence 5. SEX EDUCATION
9. F 4. opinion
10. T 5. issues
Activity 3. Picturing a Story Activity 4. Reading to Take a Stand
Answers may vary Answers may vary
References and Website Links Used in This Module
Dapat, Jose Rizal O. (2016). Aplied Englis for Academic and Professional Purposes. Manila, Philippines: JFS Publishing
Services.
Uychoco, Marikit Tara A. (2016). English for Academic and Professional Purposes. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book
Store.
Valdez, Paolo Niño M. (2016). English for the Globalized Classroom Series: English for academic and professional purposes. Quezon City,
Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House.

Prepared by:
Anna Lorraine T. Mamuyac, MPA