eapp 2

• Position Paper


  Presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and defensible.
• Parts of a Position Paper

  • Introduction (1 paragraph - around 20% of the paper)
  • Body (1 to 3 paragraphs - around 60% of the paper)
  • Conclusion (1 paragraph - around 20% of the paper)
• Introduction


  • Contains the issue or situation to be discussed
  • Present facts and may include statistics of the issue
  • Establish your position on the issue
• Body


  • Provide main arguments containing 4 E's (Evidence, Explanation, Example, and Extra details)
  • Provide counter arguments or opposing thought of your stand
  • Follow a pattern when presenting arguments (Stand - Weak point - Stand, Weak point - Stand - Stand, Stand - Stand - Weak point)
• Conclusion


  • Restate your position of the issue
  • Provide a plan of action or a solution
  • Make your ending statement with views that would resonate throughout the reader's lives
• Additional Tips in Writing a Position Paper

  • Present clearly your stand on the issue
  • Make your introduction as interesting as possible to arouse interest and gain support
  • Use transitional devices to carry a thought from sentence to another
  • Observe grammar and mechanics (spelling, capitalization, and punctuations)
  • Fact-finding and research the topic to gain more knowledge
  • Present weak points of your argument but make sure your claims are more substantial
  • Credit reliable sources for the credibility of your paper
  • Cite laws or relevant principle in your main arguments, if possible provide with statistics
  • Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal to evoke readers
  • Assert values that adhere to as a democratic country
  • Restate your stand to conclude your paper
  • Present your conclusion either to call for action or to provide a solution
• Functions of Transitional Devices

  • To add
  • To compare
  • To contrast
  • To give examples
  • To show time
  • To indicate logical relationship (cause and effect)
  • To summarize or conclude
• Transitional Devices


  • and, again, also, and then, further, furthermore, next, moreover
  • also, in the same way, likewise, similarly, like
  • although, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, yet, while
  • for example, for instance, , specifically, that is, to illustrate, such as
  • after, afterward, as long as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, then, thereafter, until
  • accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise
  • all in all, in conclusion, in short, in summary, on the whole, therefore, to sum up, indeed, finally, thus