writing a position paper.pptx

8/14/2019 WRITING A POSITION PAPER.pptx

1/14

WRITING A POSITION PAPER


2/14


3/14

Your job is to take one side of the argument andpersuade your audience that you have well-

founded knowledge of the topic being presented.

It is important to support your argument with

evidence to ensure the validity of your claims, as

well as

to address the counterclaims to show that you are

well informed about both sides.


4/14

Issue Criteria

To take a side on a subject, you should firstestablish the arguability of a topic that interests

you. Ask yourself the following questions to

ensure that you will be able to present a strong

argument:

- Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy

and uncertainty?

- Can you distinctly identify two positions?

- Are you personally interested in advocating

one of these positions?

- Is the issue narrow enough to be

manageable?


5/14

Analyzing an Issue and Developing an

Argument

Once your topic is selected, you should do some

research on the subject matter. While you mayalready have an opinion on your topic and an ideaabout which side of the argument you want to take,you need to ensure that your position is wellsupported.

Listing out the pro and con sides of the topic will helpyou examine your ability to support yourcounterclaims, along with a list of supporting evidencefor both sides. Supporting evidence includes thefollowing:

- Factual Knowledge -Information that isverifiable and agreed upon by almost everyone.

- Statistical Inferences -Interpretation andexamples of an accumulation of facts.

- Informed Opinion - Opinion developed through

research and/or expertise of the claim.- Personal Testimony -Personal experience


6/14

In determining your viewpoint, ask yourself

the following:

Is your topic interesting?

Can you manage the material within thespecifications set by the instructor?

Does your topic assert something specific andpropose a plan of action?

Do you have enough material or proof tosupport your opinion?


7/14

Organization

Your introduction should lead up to a thesis thatorganizes the rest of your paper. There are three

advantages to leading with the thesis:

1. The audience knows where you stand.

2. The thesis is located in the two strongest

places, first and last.

3. It is the most common form of academic

argument used.


8/14

Recommended Position Paper Outline

I. Background (perspective on the issue; pre-existing

conditions/backdrop that lead to the clear understanding ofthe problem)

II. Specific Problem/Issue

III. Position (your view /approach on the issue)

IV. Why the present set-up should be modified or changed

Counter ArgumentsA. Summarize the counterclaims.

B. Provide supporting information for

counterclaims

C. Refute the counterclaims

D. Give evidence for arguments


9/14

Position Paper Outline

ArgumentsA. Assert point #1 of your claims

1. Give your educated and informed opinion

2. Provide support

B. Assert point #2 of your claims


2. Provide support/proofC. Assert point #3 of your claims


2. Provide support/proof

V. Strategies to effect changes (Plan of Action)

VI. After Effects of the Proposal (immediate advantages and possible

disadvantages or problems to be encountered)VII. Possible changes if proposal will be implemented (what will happen

to the stakeholders; budget; morale; leadership; facilities; etc.)

VIII. Evaluation of Proposal (How the changes will be assessed)


10/14

Sample Topics for Position Paper The Need for the Philippine Navy to send its

Naval Aviators to take up Squadron OfficersCourse of the Philippine Air Force rather than theNaval Command and Staff Course of the

Philippine Navy The Need to Amend AFP, GHQ Circular Number

02 dated 16 March 1999, Specifically the Level ofIssuing Authority Pertaining to Visit Clearance forForeign State Vessels and Aircrafts

The Need to Revive the PN Office of StrategicStudies

The Need to Replace Paper-based SelectionProcess of the Promotion Board A with an IT-

aided Process.


11/14

The Need to Revise the PN ResourceProgramming of the Annual Plans and Budget

(APB) in the distribution of the Intelligence Fund

(IF) of the Philippine Navy (PN)

The Need to Revise the AFP Officer Appraisal

Report System into a 360 Degree Feedback

System

The Need To Review the Curriculum of NIOAC

Conducted at NITI to have a Responsive POI for

the Naval Intelligence Profession


12/14

Practicality Issue on Submitting Multiple

Folders to Promotion Board A

I. Background: DOTMPLFII. Specific Problem: Paper-based promotion

process that causes wastage of paper andman-hour resource

III. Position: Replace Paper-based SelectionProcess of the Promotion Board A with an IT-aided Process.

IV. Why there should be a need to replace Paper-

based selection process with an IT-aidedprocess?

-wastage of paper

- huge amount of man-hours lost

- de-motivation on the part of the promotees


13/14

V. The Approach to Effect Changes

A. Change Management

B. Budget ManagementC. Process Management

D. IT Management

VI. After effect of the Proposal

A. Accuracy

B. Orderliness

C. Ease

D. Knowledge Management System


14/14

VII. Possible Changes if Proposal will be

implemented

Impact on:- handling of records

- eliminating de-motivation on the paper-

process

- browsing of records by promotion boardmembers

- freeing up space at offices and eliminating

fire hazards

- smooth facilitation of training

VIII. Evaluation of the Proposal

Measured through:

- Accuracy

writing a position paper.pptx

Documents