Position Paper: Structure, Claims, and Thesis

• The position paper addresses significant community issues where the author takes a stand.
• Example of an issue is "The Death Penalty Is Unjust Because of the Inhumane and Cruel Methods of Execution."

Parts of a Position Paper

• Topic
• Issue
• Stand
• Claims
• Thesis Statement

Elements of a Position Paper

• Topic: The issue the author takes a stand on.

Issue

• An important topic or problem open for debate and discussion.

Stand

• The author's opinion on the given statements.

Claims

• The author's supporting arguments to make their points stronger and more persuasive.
• Thesis Statement: Cycling as a mode of transport should be promoted due to health benefits, financial rewards, and non-renewable resource savings.
• The main statement of the position paper.
• Example: Academic life is important for everyone as it provides information and guides students.

Structure of a Position Paper

• Introduction
• Body 1
• Body 2,3,4
• Introduction contains background information, a yes/no question about the issue, and the argumentative thesis.
• Background of the issue involves writing the keywords to be presented.
• Example: History
• Thesis Statement
• Claims
• Conclusion

Nominalization Sentence

• Emphasizes verbs in central roles, denoting action.
• Example: "The company created software to manage the transaction successfully."
• Composed of a noun phrase, verb, noun phrase.
• Example: "We analysed the data from the experiment, and it revealed that children react when they have too much sugar." becomes "The analysis of the data revealed children's reaction to excessive sugar intake."

Complex Compound Sentence

• Contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
• To create one, a writer must use FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, so).
• Example: "While the rain fell, the baby slept and dreamed and the mother watched."

Formal Academic Writing

• Generally formal, objective (impersonal), and technical

Formal Writing Avoids

• Casual or conversational language, such as contractions or informal vocabulary.
• Direct reference to people or feelings, instead emphasizing objects, facts, and ideas.

Formality

• Contrasts with informal English, which relies on extra information from readers or listeners.

Hedging

• Expresses caution and avoids easily disproved unqualified statements.

Choosing Expanded Modal Forms

• Use words like will, should, and could instead of shortened versions.

Formal Tone

• Using full modal verbs makes writing appear more professional and serious.

Clarity and Precision

• Using the complete form of a modal verb can provide a clearer indication of the intended meaning in technical writing.
• Academic Writing: Most academic disciplines prefer expanded modal forms to maintain a high level of formality.
• Contracted form: "The study results could indicate a potential issue."
• Expanded form: "The study results could potentially indicate an issue."
• Choosing One Form Verb Over Two Words Verb also know as Phrasal Verb.
• Colloquialisms: Avoid using phrases or slang because they are informal.
• Examples:
  • Piece of cake- it's easy
  • Spill the beans- reveal a secret

Objective

• A specific goal or aim that can be short-term or long-term, and measurable to track progress.

Types of Objectives

• Personal
• Professional
• Educational

Characteristics of Effective Objective

• Known as SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Importance of Objectives

• Provides focus and direction, encourages motivation and productivity, enables progress evaluation, and supports decision making.

Avoiding the Use of Personal Pronouns

• Avoid using personal pronouns like I, we, and you.

Avoiding Emotive Language

• Where the group of words are deliberately chosen to evoke emotions.

Caution

• Refers to the care taken to avoid danger or mistakes.
• Also known as hedging, cautious language, tentative language or vague language in EAPP.
• It softens language by making claims or conclusions less absolute.

How to Apply Caution in Writing

• Used to convey certainty of opinions or arguments, especially in arguments.
• Be cautious or tentative unless claims are proved without a doubt.

Use Verbs

• Action words or state-of-being words in a sentence describing what someone or something does (action or IS (state).
• Use Modal Verbs: Auxiliary verbs indicating ability, possibility, necessity, permission, or obligation.

Use Adverbs

• Modify or describe a word, phrase, clause, or sentence.

Linguistics Elements That Enhance Clarity and Coherence

• Additive Transitions: Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Also, Besides

Examples

• Experts frequently suggest that exposure to excessive screen time may negatively impact cognitive development.
• Researchers frequently claim that artificial intelligence could revolutionize medicine, yet its long-term risks are somewhat uncertain.
• Scientists often assume that increasing CO levels might contribute to rising temperatures, though this correlation is not entirely definitive.

Explicit

• Writing that is clear, direct, and precise to ensure ideas are easily understood.
• Characteristics: Uses straightforward language, follows a logical structure, and avoids unnecessary jargon or ambiguity.

Categories

• Emphasizing: Highlighting or stressing the most important arguments, evidence, or points.
• Amplification: Repeating and expanding on a word or idea.
• Additives