POSITION PAPER

• Position paper is a composition that highlights an opinion of an author or specified entity about an issue. Like a debate, it presents one side of an arguable opinion and persuades the readers or audience that the author has well founded knowledge about the issue.
• In writing position paper, the writer:

  • shows his knowledge and concern about issues of the land.
  • informs others of his position and conviction.
  • formally organizes his perspective of the issue as a basis to build resolution to difficult problems
  • suggests unique and well-thought-of approach to deal with the issue or to solve the problem and outlines his discussion to define the framework of the scheme. establishes his credibility.
  • demonstrates passion through the force of the argument rather than the force of emotion
• Issue Criteria

  In choosing the issue or problem to be discussed, the following criteria are considered

  1. The prevalence and pervasiveness of the issue.
  2. The arguability of the issue
  3. The Urgency of advocating one side of the issue
  4. The sense and significance of the issue
• Developing and Supporting an Argument

  After deciding on which argument to take a side, the writer must present supporting evidence. Some of these are:

  1. Factual Knowledge - information that is valid and verifiable
  2. Statistical Inferences - conclusions drawn from data gathered
  3. Informed Opinion - based on knowledge of the facts and carefully considered principles. It relies on evidence instead of limited personal experience
  4. Personal Testimony - personal or first-hand experience of the writer or knowledgeable party
• A debate is a form of structured and disciplined public discourse that discusses two sides of the issue or topic. Debaters have to follow the rules or method of the debate for it to be successful and worthwhile. Students must be trained for this psychologically and socially in order for them to do wide-ranging research, read comprehensively, evaluate evidence accurately, and develop confidence and public speaking skills...
• Karl Popper Debate

  • Debaters are clustered into three groups.
  • Each team gives substantial arguments and is given the opportunity to ask other teams directly.
  • Each debater speaks once only and they have the time to consult with their teammates during the designated preparation time.
  • Distinguishing features are: four of the six debaters ask their competitors questions.
  • Judges then give no-nonsense comments on logic, evidence, and sense of the arguments.
  • This type is good for high school debates.
• Parliamentary Debate is a type of debate where the motion for debate is the same as a legislative Bill placed before the UK House of Common.
• The job of the opposition in Parliamentary Debate is to make the motion appear impractical or immoral.
• Parliamentary Debate features the use of Pol or the Points of Information, which allow debaters to interrupt the speaker for questions or for better information that favors their side.
• In Parliamentary Debate, it is not imperative to take any Pol, but the speaker's side is penalized if they fail to take any.
• The leader of the proposition in Parliamentary Debate is called the Prime Minister, and Leader of Opposition for the Opposition side.
• Mister or Madam Speaker is referred to as the chair or presiding adjudicator in Parliamentary Debate.
• British Parliamentary Debate is the most common format.
• The debate is composed of 8 speakers: four for the motion and another four against.
• The motion is always for the government and the job of the opposition is to make it appear that the motion is impractical or immoral.
• The government proposes a course of action and defends it with logical, substantial, and consequential argument.
• The burden of proof is on the government but the opposition is expected to present factual and strong arguments.
• The motion is always announced 15 minutes before the debate starts and the speakers are given 7 minutes for their speeches which they may entertain.
• Lincoln-Douglas Debate

  • The motion is a statement of philosophical or political concern that will be analyzed from a moral perspective.
  • Debaters must present a convincing and influential moral position supported by facts and tangible evidence.
  • Each debater must have a strong foundation in ethical philosophy and philosophers anchored on real-world examples and analysis to defend their statement.
• Mock Trial Debate

  • The only format based on the International Criminal Court established by the Treaty of Rome.
  • This format sharpens students' legal reasoning and courtroom technique.
  • Debate teams act as attorneys and witnesses.
  • Facts, legal documents, and testimonies of the witnesses are presented to strengthen the arguments.
  • Then each team contests the facts through direct examination and cross-examination.
  • A judging panel evaluates the proceedings, gives constructive criticism, and declares the winning team based on their performance.