Position Paper: Key Concepts and Structure

Definition and Purpose

• Position Paper: A document that presents an author's critical opinion on an issue.
  • Aims to persuade readers to adopt a specific viewpoint.
  • Provides arguments and reasons to support the position.
  • Includes counterarguments to reinforce the paper’s claim.
  • Related to argumentative essays, manifestoes, and persuasive essays.

Elements of a Position Paper

1. Issue:

   • Also known as a controversy or question where opinions are divided.

2. Thesis:

   • Also known as a claim; expresses the author's stand on the issue.

3. Reasons:

   • Explain why the position is logical, acceptable, and believable.

4. Support:

   • Evidence to substantiate reasons; includes facts, testimonials, comparisons, examples, opinions, and counter-arguments.

Parts of a Position Paper

1. Introduction

   • Presents the issue and grabs readers' attention.
   • Defines the issue and provides background.
   • Offers a general statement of the position via a thesis statement.

2. Body

   • Main arguments with sufficient evidence (statistical data, expert interviews, testimonies).
   • Counter-arguments addressing potential weaknesses.

3. Conclusion

   • Restates the position and main arguments.
   • Suggests a course of action and highlights why the position is superior.
   • Ends with a powerful statement (quotation, challenge, or question).

Uses of a Position Paper

1. Political: Party adherence or government programs.
2. Artistic: Creation or abolition of artistic movements.
3. Scientific: Acceptance of scientific theories.
4. Educational: Educational reforms.
5. Religious: Conversion or departure from sects.
6. Professional: Professional commitments.
7. Technology: Technological applications.
8. Business: Product patronage or boycotts.

Types of Position Papers

1. Expositive Writing

   • Summarizes philosopher’s ideas for understanding.
   • Argues interpretations of philosophical ideas.

2. Comparative Writing

   • Compares main points of two or more ideas.

3. Evaluative Writing

   • Justifies opinions with evidence.

4. Constructive Writing

   • Provides factual information and critical analysis.
   • Persuades subtly to accept perspectives.

Writing Principles and Techniques

1. Stating the Claim: Three Kinds of Appeal

   • Claim of fact: Proven with factual evidence.
   • Claim of value: Assesses something as good or bad.
   • Claim of policy: Arguing for certain conditions to solve problems.

2. Presenting Arguments: Two Kinds of Logical Reasoning

   • Inductive reasoning: Specific to general.
   • Deductive reasoning: General to specific.

3. Providing Evidence: Three Kinds of Evidence

   • Examples:
     • Real, invented examples, or analogies.
   • Testimonies:
     • Expert opinions.
   • Statistical Data:
     • Research-backed, proven, and effective.