EAPP: Position Paper Writing

• Lesson 1 is about writing a position paper, and is part of Module 1-3 for EAPP
• The learning objectives are to define the nature and identify the features of a position paper, and learn to write one

Problems and Issues

• Depression
• Cyberbullying
• Environmental Issues
• Teenage Pregnancy
• Same Sex Marriage

Think-Pair-Share Activity Questions

• Questions to consider during the activity:
  • Has there ever been a time when you voiced your opinion on an issue?
  • What issue did you give your opinion on?
  • Were you challenged or forced to voice your opinion?
  • Did you take the initiative to do so, or were you concerned?
  • How did you express your opinion - orally or in written form?
• Voicing opinions on issues is important for students, and writing position papers is an effective way to do so.

Arguments

• One of life's most difficult emotional situations is the argument
• Conflict can increase anxiety and blood pressure
• The question becomes how to make the argument go your way

Give Your Stand

• Decide your position on the following issues:
  • Do women talk too much compared to men?
  • Should the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) be mandatory for Grades 11 and 12?
  • Should transgender individuals participate in major beauty contests?
  • Should men stay at home to do chores while women work and earn for the family?

Position Paper

• A 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
• Developing your argument require careful examination of ideas, topic choice and paper organization
• It is important to support arguments with evidence and refute counterclaims to be well informed
• Must be done with careful planning and research
• The objective is to participate in the larger debate by defending your view or proposed action
• Requires research on other papers, analysis of their views, and the formulation of your own argument

Determining Your Viewpoint

• Viewpoint should be interesting
• Originality is important
• Enough material or proof need to be available to support opinion
• Assert something specific, prove it, and propose a plan of action when applicable

Issue Criteria:

• The issue needs to be real, with genuine controversy and uncertainty
• At least two distinctive positions should be identifiable
• Personal interest in advocating one position is needed
• The scope must be narrow enough to be manageable

Analyzing an Issue

• Conduct research on the topic
• Confirm support for your position on the argument
• Examine your ability to support counterclaims by listing the pros and cons

Features of a Position Paper:

• A well-defined issue should be controversial and arguable
• Matters of opinion are superior to matters of certainty
• Facts and beliefs can be brought to bear on issues but may not easily resolve them
• A clear position makes the opinion explicit by announcing it directly in a thesis statement
• The thesis must be clear, not ambiguous or vague, although it can be modified
• A convincing argument presents an argument designed to persuade readers that the opinion is valid
• A reasonable tone is what writers typically adopt to be perceived as reasonable and trustworthy
• Demonstrating good will and understanding by anticipating objections are important
• These are also acknowledged as legitimate

Organization and Outline of a Position Paper

• The structure of a position should Include and Introduction, Counter Argument, Body and Conclusion
• Include a hook, Introductory Statement and a thesis statement
• Summarize the counterclaims as possible disagreements
• You can generate counterarguments by considering what someone who disagrees with you might say
• Give your educated and informed opinion
• Include factual information, real life experiences and general knowledge

Paper Tips

• When writing, be clear and explicit
• Use present tense
• Avoid first person pronouns and superlatives
• Stating a thesis in one sentence is about your topic
• A topic alone does not make a claim
• Make a claim about the topic to turn it into a thesis
• Consider your audience when selecting the subject of the paper

Writing With Style and Clarity

• The content of your paper matters, but if the reader can't understand what you are trying to say it will not mean much
• Keep diction, paragraphs, transitions, grammar, and spelling in mind

Paper Guidelines

• Diction refers to the choice of words for the expression of ideas to be as clear and accurate as possible.
• Paragraphs should be a means of developing and framing an idea or impression and address only one major idea per paragraph
• The divisions between paragraphs should indicate a shift in focus.
• Transitions should be used to show logical relationship between ideas

Plagiarism and Academic Honesty

• Always give credit where credit is due
• Plagiarism is a form of stealing and ignorance is no excuse
• Acknowledge the source when using someone else's idea, even if you have used your own words

Situations Where a Position Paper is Effectively Used

• Social Issues: Problems recognized by society that prevent it from functioning optimally
  • Recognition by the public, opposition to general values, valid concern for a large population, and potential for rectification through joint action
• Educational Issues: Ideas, thoughts, and debates on educational policy and practices.
  • Example: longer high school improves learning
• Technology: How people adapt, control, and change the environment
  • Computerizing textbooks as opposed to traditional printing
• Media: Demonstrate concepts in subject areas, connect real-life experiences, and connect learners to faraway places
  • Social media account termination of those portraying untruthful information
• Relationships: Link concepts, objects, or people with connection
  • Couples counseling is helpful for financial planning
• War and Peace: Wars arise from failure to solve disputes peacefully, but often end in violence
  • War is not the solution to achieve peace
• Environmental Issues: Connection between well-being of society and quality of the environment Companies should not be granted liberties if they don't follow the law
• Politics: Concerns running the government
• Political officials should not run if they committed illegal actions

Social Issues

• The four factors include public recognition, conflict with societal values, widespread concern, and potential for improvement through collective action
• Deprivation of basic services from the government is an example of poverty

Assignments:

• The written work assignment includes answering the following questions:
  • What is the issue presented in the editorial?
  • What category does the issue belong to among the different situations?
  • Is the topic controversial and why?
  • What is the position of the author?
  • List the main reasons for choosing yes or no
  • Is there data to back up reasons
  • List the counter arguments