position paper

Question 1

also called an argumentative paper or
manifesto, is an essay that presents a person’s or group’s position
or stand on a particular issue.

Answer 1

position paper

Question 2

taking one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded
knowledge of the topic being presented.

Answer 2

position paper

Question 3

It is important to support your argument with ________ to ensure the validity of your claims,

Answer 3

evidence

Question 4

as well as to address the_________ to show that you are well informed about both sides.

Answer 4

counterclaims

Question 5

SAMPLE USES OF A POSITION PAPER

Answer 5

• cause-oriented groups regularly publish position papers to express for advocacies.
• Governments may also present positions papers to show their stand on certain issues.
• Internet research, you’ll find that countries claiming the Spratly Islands
  have position papers on the issue of who should have control and access to the islands.

Question 6

does more than expressing a group’s or a person’s sentiments on an issue;

Answer 6

position paper

Question 7

this also helps others to become more aware of certain problems in society and possibly become more involved in finding solution to it.

Answer 7

position paper

Question 8

According to McWhorter (2001) a position paper contains the following 5 elements:

Answer 8

issue
thesis
reasons
support
Opposing viewpoints or counterarguments

Question 9

is an idea or question over which people are divided; it’s also called a controversy.

Answer 9

issue

Question 10

also called the claim, is a statement that expresses your stand on an issue.

Answer 10

thesis

Question 11

The writer states the reasons in order to explain to the reader why his or her position is logical,
acceptable, and believable. Another term for reasons is arguments.

Answer 11

reasons

Question 12

refers to evidence or ideas to substantiate the reasons.

Answer 12

support

Question 13

Support may be classified into the
following types:

Answer 13

• facts
• comparisons
• examples
• opinions

Question 14

figures and the writer’s own observations or reports from scholarly studies

Answer 14

facts

Question 15

similarities or differentiation between two ideas, concepts, or situations

Answer 15

comparisons

Question 16

real-life demonstrations of an idea

Answer 16

examples

Question 17

• the author’s feelings or generalizations

Answer 17

opinions

Question 18

6 types of information

Answer 18

• introductory information and
  overviews
• in-depth studies
• scholarly articles
• current issues
• statistics
• position papers and analyses

Question 19

directories, encyclopedias,
handbooks are examples of _____

Answer 19

introductory information and
overviews

Question 20

books, government reports are examples of

Answer 20

in-depth studies

Question 21

academic journals are examples of _____

Answer 21

scholarly articles

Question 22

newspapers, magazines are examples of _____

Answer 22

current issues

Question 23

government agencies and

associations are examples of _____

Answer 23

statistics

Question 24

association and institute reports are examples of ____

Answer 24

position papers and analyses

Question 25

directories, encyclopedias,
handbooks can be found at/in

Answer 25

Use the Library catalogue

Question 26

books, government reports can be found at/in

Answer 26

Library catalogue, Canadian
Research Index, Government
web sites

Question 27

academic journals and newspapers, magazines are found in

Answer 27

Article indexes

Question 28

government agencies and

associations can be found in

Answer 28

Research Index, journal articles

Question 29

association and institute reports are found at/in

Answer 29

Library catalogue, web sites

Question 30

fifth element according McWhorter
also known as counterarguments, give the arguments opposing your stand.
Your goal in presenting these is to refute or discredit them, so that any opposition in the reader’s mind
is dealt with. You refute by showing weaknesses in the counterargument.

Answer 30

Opposing viewpoints or counterarguments

Question 31

14 Guidelines in Writing a Position Paper

Answer 31

1. Choose an issue. When choosing one, keep the following guidelines in mind.
2. Begin the writing process by conducting an in-depth research on the issue.
3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when you first mention them.
4. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain and analyze them objectively.
5. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
6. Cite valid and reliable sources to establish the credibility of your arguments.
7. View the issue in a different perspective so you can present a unique approach
8. Limit your position paper to two pages.
9. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their beliefs, needs, interests, and
   motivations.
   10.Summarize the other side’s counterarguments and use various evidence and data to refute
   them.
   11.Use an active voice as much as possible to achieve a dynamic and firm tone.
   12.Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or deductive approach.
   13.Check your argument for fallacies and eliminate them. Fallacies, or errors in reasoning.
   weaken your argument.
   14.Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal.