English for Academic

and Professional
Purposes

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English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Quarter 4 – Self-Learning Module 3: Features and Structure of a Position Paper,
2020

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Published by the Department of Education - Schools Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

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Editor: Julius Cezar D. Napallatan
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Illustrator: Name
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Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Carolina T. Rivera, CESE
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
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Chief Curriculum Implementation Division
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Chief - School Governance and Operations Division

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 English for Academic
and Professional
Purposes

Quarter 4
Self-Learning Module 3
Features and Structure of a
Position Paper

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Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the English for Academic and Professional Purposes Self-Learning

Module on Features and Structure of a Position Paper!

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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 For the Learner:

Welcome to the English for Academic and Professional Purposes Self-Learning

Module on Features and Structure of a Position Paper!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.

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 EXPECTATIONS

This is your self-instructional learner module in EAPP. All the activities

provided in this lesson will help you learn and understand: Features and Structure
of a Position Paper.

Specifically, you will learn about the following:

1. Familiarize the features and structure of a position paper;

2. scrutinize the different activities on features and structure of a position
paper; and
3. write a position paper considering its features and structure.

PRETEST

True or False

Read and analyze the following statements carefully. Write T if the statement is TRUE
and F if the statement is FALSE on blank before the number.

_____1. A position paper does not merely assert an opinion, but it also presents an
argument designed to persuade readers that the opinion is valid and
reasonable.
_____2. In the body of a good position paper, the writer must include suggested
courses of action and possible solutions.
_____3. The writer started with the opening attention-getter and could possibly use
questions, quotations, and factual information.
_____4. The thesis statement must be clear, neither ambiguous nor vague.
_____5. In the conclusion part, the writer should not summarize the main
concepts, ideas, and reinforce without repeating the introduction of the
body of the paper.

RECAP
In the previous lesson, learners were taught about the situations which a
position paper may be effectively used. It is indeed important to learners to be
familiar with situations so they will know when to write a good position paper. Here
are the situations: social issues, educational issues, technology, media,
relationships, war and peace, environmental issues and politics.

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 LESSON

Provide the needed information of the things related to the topic, “Euthanasia is
Justified”.

Topic: Euthanasia is Justified

Title:
__________________________________________

Position/stand:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Recommendation:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

FEATURES OF POSITION PAPER

A Well-Defined Controversial Issue

Although the issue addressed in the position paper may be complex, it should
be carefully defined so that readers understand exactly what is at stake and why the
issue is important. Moreover, the issue must not be only controversial but also
arguable. Some issues upon which there is considerable debate are not arguable
because they can either be resolved by fact or are so deeply rooted in belief that they
are impervious to fact or reason. For example, arguing over which river is the longest
in the world is pointless because the answer is a simple matter of fact that can be
easily demonstrated. Arguing over matters of faith is just as pointless for somewhat
more subtle reasons. The issue of whether abortion should be legal, for example, is
not arguable for those who oppose abortion on religious grounds. The best issues for
position papers are matters of opinion – judgments rather than certainties. Fact and
belief should be brought to bear on these issues but cannot easily resolve them.

A Clear Position on the Issue

A position paper makes explicit the opinion it advocates by announcing it
directly in a thesis statement, which may appear at any point in the essay. In long,
complicated essays, the thesis may even be restated several times. Although it should

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be stated emphatically, the thesis can be modified in the course of the argument. In
fact, qualifying a position to accommodate objections or limiting the conditions under
which it is true strengthens rather than weakens an argument. What writers should
avoid is equivocation – backing away or hedging so much that the readers cannot
determine what position is being taken. The thesis must be clear, neither ambiguous
nor vague.

A Convincing Argument
A position paper does not merely assert an opinion; it also presents an
argument designed to persuade readers that the opinion is valid and reasonable.
Ideally, readers should be so impressed by the argument that they willingly give up
their own opinions and adopt the writer’s. Arguments are rarely that convincing,
however. It is more realistic to expect that readers might be persuaded to accept the
legitimacy of the writer’s position on the issue and to adjust their own opinion to
accommodate what they have learned.

A Reasonable Tone
In debating controversial issues, writers naturally assume that their readers
will either disagree with them or be skeptical. Because they seek to build bridges
between their own opinions and those of others, writers of position papers typically
adopt a tone that will be perceived as reasonable and trustworthy. Even when
challenging their reader’s basic assumptions about deeply felt issues, writers try to
inspire respect and confidence. They attempt to demonstrate their good will and
understanding by anticipating objections to their argument and, whenever possible,
by making concessions and qualifying their position to accommodate objections.
Even when they cannot agree with readers’ objections, writers of proposal papers
nonetheless acknowledge these objections as legitimate and explain their reasons for
rejecting them.

STRUCTURE OF A POSITION PAPER

I. Introduction
❖ Introduce the topic in a briefly and catch the audience’s attention.
❖ Give a little background information explaining why the topic is essential
to your country or target audience.
❖ Declare your thesis statement
Hook, background information and thesis statement.

II. Body
❖ Summarize the counterclaims
❖ Provide supporting information for counterclaims
❖ Refute the counterclaims
❖ Give evidence for argument

III. Conclusion

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 ❖ Should summarize the main concepts, ideas and reinforce without
repeating the introduction of body of the paper.
❖ Should emphasize your position
❖ Could include suggested courses of action and possible solutions
1. Tie your conclusion to your introduction.
2. Restate your position.
3. Include recommendations.

Outline of Position Paper

I. Introduction
1. Hook
2. Introductory Statement / Background Information
3. Thesis Statement: ________________________________
II. Body
A. First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ______________________________
1._____________________________ Supporting details:

2._____________________________ Factual information, real life experiences and

general knowledge
3._____________________________
B. Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ___________________________
1._____________________________ Supporting details:

2._____________________________ Factual information, real life experiences and

general knowledge
3._____________________________
C. Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): _____________________________
1._____________________________ Supporting details:

2._____________________________ Factual information, real life experiences and

general knowledge
3._____________________________
III. Conclusion
1.Tie your conclusion to your introduction
2.Re-state your position
3.Include recommendations
4. Closing attention-getter

Example
The Inhabitants of Education
By Ryan S. Tamayao

What if the Philippines is as powerful and rich like many other

Hook
countries with names that can ring the bells? What if the only way to
be like these countries is education? Would it be possible for Filipinos
to change the country or rather the world?
It is indeed a common knowledge to all Filipinos that Philippines
Introductory is located along the ring of fire and vulnerable to various natural
statement and
background hazards such as deadly earthquakes, series of typhoons, terror volcanic Thesis
Statement
information eruptions, landslides, floods, and other natural disasters. For many
years now, public schools are used as evacuation centers every time
these disasters strike the country. Absolutely, this results to the

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 disruption of education, and learners schooling might set back by an
entire year. Schools should not be used as evacuation centers during
calamities so not to disrupt education.
The government really wants the best for its citizens. However,
this cannot deny the fact that public schools are used as evacuation
Summary and centers at the expense of learners and teachers.
supporting
information for First, the creation of a new set of evacuees. Instead of solving the
counterclaims
evacuation woes, the government has created a new set of evacuees as
First Supporting a result of displacing learners and teachers from the school. Learners
Idea (Topic and teachers who are driven away from the school buildings are forced
Sentence) and
supporting details to look for another place for learning which burdened them and will ask
the government for support like budget and many more.
Second Supporting
Idea (Topic Second, public schools can’t provide the evacuees with their
Sentence) and various needs. The evacuees will experience scarcity of water,
supporting details
insufficient number of toilet facilities, poor ventilation and lighting, lack
of space and beddings. The reason behind is that public schools are
designed only for learning but not for evacuating inhabitants.
Third Supporting Third, delay of resumption of classes. If the opening or
Idea (Topic
Sentence) and resumption of classes begin, learners and teachers cannot
supporting details
automatically go back to the classrooms because the rooms were
customized for the evacuees, and it takes time to repair and clean them.
Philippines is indeed vulnerable to natural hazards and one of
Tie your conclusion
to your the government’s ways is to use public schools as evacuation centers.
introduction
Again, public schools are not to be used as evacuation centers in order
Re-state your to attain the quality of education even in the worst calamity situation
position
the country is facing. As a recommendation, the government should Recommendation
build the real concept of evacuation centers using the taxes of many
hardworking Filipinos. Always remember that “Education is the most
powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”-Nelson Mandela. Closing
attention-getter

Guided Practice

In each of the following situations, you are tasked to read and answer a few
questions considering the features and structure of a position paper.

Situation 1

Nigel’s attention was caught when he started reading the article with the line,
“Everyone has told a lie at one point, but as it contradicts something, we know to be
true, lies are always exposed, revealing the truth beneath them.”
What feature or structure of a position paper was described in the situation?

It is opening attention-getter or hook in the introduction. The writer used quotation to

capture the attention of the readers just like Nigel.

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 Situation 2

Every family should try beach activities at least once a year to establish unity.
These activities may include swimming, floating, surfing, and sand stuff like building
sand castles or burying dad in the sand.
What feature or structure of a position paper was described in the situation?

It is topic sentence with supporting details in the body. The topic sentence revolves
around the thesis statement. In this way, the writer is credible and has a convincing
argument.

Situation 3

After reading the position paper about the importance of books in the human
life, I just cannot stop thinking the line which quoted at the last part, “There is no
frigate like a book”.
What feature or structure of a position paper was described in the situation?

It is closing attention-getter in the conclusion. The writer made sure that he/she will
be able to catch the attention of his/her audience in the beginning as well as in the
closing part.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1
Identification

Identify the feature and structure of a position paper based on each of the given
statements. Write your answer on the space before the number.

Controversial Issue Clear Position Convincing Argument

Reasonable Tone Introduction Body Conclusion

_____1. It summarizes the counterclaims, provides supporting information for

counterclaims, refutes the counterclaims and gives evidence for argument.
_____2. It is more realistic to expect that readers might be persuaded to accept the
legitimacy of the writer’s position on the issue and to adjust their own opinion
to accommodate what they have learned.
_____3. The writer chooses to refrain from using topics wherein it can either be
resolved by fact or are so deeply rooted in belief that they are impervious to
fact or reason.
_____4. It requires the writer to tie his conclusion to his introduction, restate his
position, and include recommendations in order to have a good position paper.
_____5. A writer’s ability to naturally assume that their readers will either disagree
with them or be skeptical.

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Activity 2
Multiple Matching

Match the statement with its specific structure and its general structure. Write
your answer on the space before the number.
Example: 1. A-I
Statement Specific Structure General Structure
A. Hook I. Introduction
_____ 1. Again, euthanasia B. Introductory II. Body
should not be legalized in Statement III. Conclusion
the Philippines. C. Thesis Statement
_____ 2. Online learning is D. Summary and
really effective in this supporting info
generation. for
_____ 3. According to the counterclaims
2000 Census conducted E. Supporting idea
by PNSO, 63.7% over the and details
age of 5 reported an F. Tie conclusion
ability to speak English. and introduction
_____ 4. Since schools are G. Re-stating the
shut down, the position
government should use H. Recommendation
the budget of school for I. Closing
internet connection and Attention-getter
gadgets for online class.
_____ 5. Anne helped her
mother clean the house.
She mopped the floor,
dusted the furniture, and
arranged the books in the
shelves.

Activity 3
Write a position paper on a topic that interests you. Use the features and structure
of a position paper and follow the outline.

Topic: ___________________________

Title: _____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Rubric 10 6 1
Hook Expert to capture the attention of the Capable to capture the attention Failed to capture the
reader of the reader attention of the reader
Introductory Introduced the background Introduced the background Failed to introduce the
Statement information in a best way information in a good way. background
information.
Thesis Statement Clear and focused, have topic and Clear, have topic and opinion, Has only a topic or an
opinion, engaging word choice word choice is fairly generic opinion, student does
not clearly understand
the purpose of the
thesis
Summary and Precise and correct summary of Vague but correct summary of Vague and incorrect
supporting info. for supporting info. and counterclaims supporting info. and summary of supporting
counterclaims counterclaims info. and counterclaims
Supporting ideas and Topic sentence are supported by Topic sentence are quite Supporting details are
details supporting details supported by supporting details irrelevant to the topic
sentence
Tie conclusion and Introduction and conclusion are tied Introduction and conclusion are Failed to tie
introduction correctly quite correct introduction and
conclusion
Re-stating the Re-stated the thesis using signaling Re-stated the thesis with Failed to re-state the
position/thesis word irrelevant signaling word thesis
Recommendation Recommended the best solution Recommended a good solution Recommended a
solution but irrelevant
to solve the issue
Closing attention- Strong and catchy to be remembered Quite strong and catchy to be Weak and dull to be
getter by the reader remembered by the reader remembered by the
reader

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 WRAP-UP

Complete the semantic map on the structure of a position paper.

Introduction
1. ____________________________
2.____________________________
3.____________________________
_

Body
Conclusion
A. ____________________________
1.____________________________
Structure 1.___________________________
2.____________________________ of
B.____________________________
3.____________________________ Position
Paper 1.__________________________
4.____________________________
C.____________________________
1.__________________________

VALUING

Complete the quotation by using the clues and choices from the box.

hearts family nation world life

“To put the (human society)_______ right in order, we must put the (sovereignty)______
in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the (clan) ______ in order; to
put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal (absence of death)______;
we must first set our (emotion) ______ right.”-Confucius

POSTTEST

Read each statement and carefully choose the structure or feature of a position paper
shown in it. Write the letter of your answer on the space before the number.

_____ 1. Writers should avoid equivocation – backing away or hedging so much that
the readers cannot determine what position is being taken.
A. Thesis statement B. Clear position C. Reasonable tone
D. Restatement

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_____ 2. The charm of a writer to make readers so impressed by the argument that
they willingly give up their own opinions and adopt the writer’s.
A. Convincing argument B. Reasonable tone C. Thesis statement
D. Hook
_____ 3. After making the readers adopt the writer’s opinion, it is then the writer
provides a solution to the issue.
A. Conclusion B. Topic sentence C. Recommendation
D. Thesis statement
_____ 4. The writer seeks to build bridges between his own opinions and those of the
readers.
A. Tie conclusion and introduction B. Controversial issue
C. Thesis statement D. Reasonable tone
_____ 5. This provides a little background information explaining why the topic is
essential to your country or target audience.
A. Introduction B. Body C. Introductory statement
D. Thesis statement

KEY TO CORRECTION

C 5. E-II 5. Reasonable tone 5. F 5.

D 4. vary. H-III 4. Conclusion 4. T 4.
C 3. answers may B-I 3. Controversial issue 3. T 3.
A 2. Learner’s C-I 2. Convincing argument 2. F 2.
B 1. G-III 1. Body 1. T 1.

Posttest Activity 3 Activity 2 Activity 1 Pretest

References
Aselrod, Rise B., and Charles R. Cooper. Reading Critically, Writing Well. New York:
St. Martin's, 1987.

WriteMyPaper4me.org. Composing an Excellent Position Paper Sample Outline.

Accessed August 16, 2020. https://writemypaper4me.org/blog/position-paper-
sample?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=19d1283ba114883df8b98c6302949ad9855a56b8-
1597572388-0-
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