Department of Education

SCHOOLS DIVISION OF CITY OF MALOLOS

City of Malolos 11

Quarter 4
Identify the unique features of and
requirements in
composing texts that are useful
across disciplines:
e. Position Paper
(EN11/12RWS-IVdg-12.4)
LESSON 5 – The Position Paper

LET US KNOW

A position paper, as defined in Wikipedia, is an essay that presents an arguable opinion about an
issue, like a debate– typically that of the author or some specified entity. The goal of a position
paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and defensible. Ideas that you are
considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and
organizing your paper. It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue
and presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to take
one side of the argument and persuade 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 refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed
about both sides.

To take a side on a subject, you should first establish 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 identify at least two distinctive positions?
Are you personally interested in advocating one of these positions?
Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be manageable?

As we know, academic writing is straightforward, businesslike, and unbiased. In this lesson you
will learn that although you are free to express your opinion, you need to support it with accurate
facts and evidence. Doing so would allow you to express your contrary view without making ill-
founded statements.

LET US REVIEW

Rearrange the letters to form a word(s).

1. A G T E T R U P G O R ______________________________________________
2. X C E O T N T ______________________________________________
3. C O E J P T R O L A P S O R P ______________________________________________
4. N E C N T O S T ______________________________________________
5. I I P T E L M T N O E A N M ______________________________________________
 LET US STUDY

What is a Position Paper?

The position paper is a form of writing used in academic and professional contexts that
summarizes the writer’s arguments supporting a certain issue. It is persuasive written discourse
reflecting an individual’s view about an issue that is often controversial, requiring one’s definitive
stance.

When you write a position paper, your aim is to inform others about your stance, position,
or conviction about a certain issue. It reflects what you know about the topic, exposing your belief
about it. Although it is a statement of your strong belief and opinion, you must combine it with
valid and verifiable facts.

Position papers are used not only in schools but also in government and corporate offices.
In academic settings, position papers are an expression of an individual’s claim, written without
the academic rigor of conducting a full-blown research. In government and politics, position
papers are often a prelude to a debate. In corporate offices, position papers are an expression of
an employee’s definitive position about issues that are crucial to both the company and its
employees.

Just like any piece of academic writing, the position paper must have the basic elements:
an interesting introduction, well-developed body paragraph and an effective conclusion. To sway
your readers to follow your line of thinking and argument, you need to use persuasive techniques
when you write your position paper. By giving sufficient evidence through verifiable facts and
convincing details, you will be able to persuade your readers to go along with your argument.

Parts of a Position Paper

1. Introduction – where you state the purpose of the paper and what you intend to show.
You may also provide history or background of the issue.

2. Body – which contains the central argument and can be further broken up into Counter
Arguments (Summarize the counterclaims; Provide supporting information for
counterclaims; Refute the counterclaims; Give evidence for argument) and Your Argument
(Give your educated and informed opinion; Provide support/proof using more than one
source)

3. Conclusion – where you restate the key points and, where applicable, suggest
resolutions to the issue.

Read thoroughly the position paper below about Death Penalty in the Philippines.

A Position Paper on the Death Penalty in the Philippines

By: Angelie Malaton Chan

INTRODUCTION

The death penalty is a government-sanctioned punishment by death. Death penalty in the

Philippines is stated on the Republic Act No. 7659 which is an act to impose the death penalty for

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certain heinous crimes, amending for that purpose the revised penal laws, as amended, other
special penal laws, and for other purposes. Whereas the crimes punishable by death under this
Act are heinous for being grievous, odious and hateful offenses and which, by reason of their
inherent or manifest wickedness, viciousness, atrocity and perversity are repugnant and
outrageous to the common standards and norms of decency and morality in a just, civilized and
ordered society;

The death penalty can be traced back during the Pre-Spanish time where Filipinos although
infrequent, is already practicing it. The Spanish also imposed it on locals who rebelled against
them and it was retained during the American period. Of course, who would forget the 1965-
1986 Martial LAW? Even though it was abolished during Cory Aquino’s term, it was re-imposed
when Ramos stepped into the presidency. It was also present in Estrada and Arroyo’s term.

Today, Death Penalty has been again, active in discussions around the country where Filipinos
argue whether it is practical, beneficial, and necessary if re-established. in tackling about this
topic, we must ask ourselves this question, “how can it be justifiable if we don’t know if WE HAVE
established our justice system out of a desire for rehabilitation or out of a desire for retribution?”
Looking at the Philippine context, due to various reasons and particular situations, we view death
penalty, as impractical, not beneficial, and unnecessary.

PRACTICABILITY

Death penalty is impractical in the Philippines because our state has a flawed judicial system, it
opposes to the culture of the majority and it is simply not compatible with our unfortunate kind
of economy thus it is not a proven deterrence to crime.

The death penalty is not practical in the Philippines because we have a flawed judicial system.
According to an essay about the practicality of death penalty by Valderrama, it was stated there
that, “For the death penalty to be practical and efficient, a fair criminal justice system is essential.
However, The criminal justice system in our country is full of defects such as faulty police work,
coerced confessions, inept defence counsel, perjured testimony and trial court decisions based on
seemingly inconclusive evidence. In addition, the Supreme Court, in a 2004 decision, made 72%
judicial errors. How can death penalty be a practical one when the judiciary of the country is
inefficient and full of incompetence?” “We have to address the long pestering issue of impunity.
Poor law enforcement results in breakdown of law and order.”

The death penalty is not practical in the Philippines because it opposes to the culture of the
majority of the Filipinos. For we believe in the value of life. In a sense, people want death penalty
because we don’t want killings to happen yet we impose killing for killing. We may say that death
penalty should only be for heinous crimes but at the end of the day, yes, we know which crime
requires severe punishment but do we know enough to decide which life to take and when we
take it?

In connection to that, it is simply not compatible with our economy because according to the PSA,
poverty incidence among Filipinos is rising to 25.8% in the first half of 2014, from 24.6% in 2013.
By this and by how we see our country, we can really say that poverty is everywhere. The death
penalty is very impractical for the Philippines for people would, again and again, do anything by
any means necessary just to feed their families even though that would mean dirty works and
punishment. Emotions overpower judgment in times of desperation. “In a 2004 survey, of 1,121
death row inmates in the Philippines, it was found that majority of the inmates knew of the death
penalty before they committed their offenses. Clearly, death penalty has little deterrence to none.”
The death penalty in the Philippines is not practical because our system and our economy are still
not ready for it. However, it will never make our country any better. We opt to have the death
penalty to protect our country from criminals yet imprisonment can do that. Instead of killing
them, why don’t we have them for special labor work that could help us in many ways just like
the Palawan- Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm where inmates are made to work in farms? In that
way, we are saving ourselves from the condemnation of taking a human life and at the same time
doing something that could practically help our economy.

BENEFICIALITY

• It Teaches the Condemned Nothing

What is the purpose of punishment? We take our lead from one major source, our parents—and
there’s no doubt that they took their lead from their own parents. When your child tries some
crazy acrobatic move off a piece of furniture and hurts himself, you might spank him to be sure
that he remembers never to do it again.

So when the child grows up, breaks into a home, and steals electronics, he gets caught and goes
to prison. His time in prison is meant to deprive him of the freedom to go where he wants
anywhere in the world, and to do what he wants when he wants. This is the punishment, and
most people do learn from it. In general, no one wants to go back. But if that child grows up and
murders someone for their wallet or just for fun, and they are in turn put to death, they are taught
precisely nothing, because they are no longer alive to learn from it. We cannot rehabilitate a
person by killing him or her.

• It Does Not Dissuade

If the foreknowledge of any punishment is meant to dissuade the criminal from committing the
crime, why do people still murder others? One thing is, capital punishment does not appear to be
doing its job; it doesn’t seem to be changing every criminal’s mind about killing innocent people.
If it does not dissuade, then it serves no purpose. The warning of life in prison without parole
must equally dissuade criminals.

• It Is Hypocritical
It is strange that a nation would denounce the practice of murder by committing the very same
act. By doing so, we’re essentially championing the right to life by taking it from others. If the
goal of any punishment is to teach us those things we should not do, then the justice system should
more adequately teach the criminality of killing by refusing to partake in it.

• Prison Is Hell on Earth

Consider a pedophile who kills an infant girl by raping her. There is an unwritten “code of honor”
in prisons that virtually requires inmates to kill such offenders. Probably half of America’s
prisoners were in some way abused as children, and harbor a seething hatred for those who abuse
children. The murdering pedophile is given the death penalty but will probably spend ten years
beforehand in prison. He will most likely be housed in solitary confinement for his own
protection, but there are frequently holes in such protection, and the inmates may find their way
to him. And if this happens, pedophiles are often gang-raped, castrated, beaten to death, stabbed,
and sometimes even beheaded before guards—who may deliberately ignore the scene—can save
them.

Most prisoners consider each other to be in the same predicament and treat each other quite well
in general. But they are still in prison and despair about their lack of freedom. What is life like
for Zacarias Moussaoui, the member of the September 11 hijacking teams who got caught a month
before the attack? A single juror saved him from death. He has, since 2006, been incarcerated for
twenty-three hours per day in a tiny concrete cell, with one hour of daily exercise in an empty

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concrete swimming pool; he has no access to other inmates, and only rare contact with guards,
who say nothing to him; he can see nothing of the outside world except a tiny sliver of sky—and
this will be his life. Capital punishment is an unnecessary threat.

NECESSITY

1. It constitutes cruel and unusual punishment

In a 2006 execution, Angel Nieves Diaz, was killed using a so-called “humane” lethal
injection, but it took 34 minutes and 2 doses before she died. Other methods that are used for
death penalties which were learned from the interrogation methods used by the CIA on terrorism
suspects which includes: rectal infusion —, gun drill —, water boarding, chaining, and nudity.
Death penalty also violates the most basic of all human rights, which is the right to live. It also
violates the right the people should not be subjected to torture or cruel, inhumane punishments.

2. The risk of executing innocent people

Death penalty is irreversible and these may lead to people paying for the crimes they did
not even commit. This kind of things really happen even how really developed a country and its
justice system is because it is always susceptible to human failure. Also, unlike prison sentences,
death penalty is irreparable. One case was of Cameron Todd Willingham, which was found
innocent after his execution in 2004. And other people who were wrongly convicted of a crime,
they are suffering for years or decades, thinking what will happen to them which is like mental
torture. There are also cases in which death penalty is often used in a disproportional manner
against the poor, minorities and members of racial, ethnic and political and religious groups.

3. Death denies opportunity of rehabilitation

Many people believe that people who are sentenced of death penalty should get second
chances, because for them, people who are in death rows never got any first chances. And also for
them what makes a criminal is poverty, racism, neglect, violence that came from society or from
parents, and mental illnesses, which can be treated and lessen the effects on them or can change
them to become a better individual through rehabilitation. One case was of Stan Tookie Williams,
a former leader of the notorious Crips gang in Los Angeles. While in bars he reflected in life and
wrote a series of anti-gang books for the youth. For years, Stan has been talking to students via
telephone urging them to stay away from the gang life. He captivated the youth, his message
resonated, and his books were very effective, but instead of recognizing what he has done behind
bars and how he changed, he was still executed in 2005.

4. There is no evidence that it will reduce crime rates

There is actually no evidence that implementing death penalty will reduce the crime rates.
Yes, people might fear the said punishment but this does not apply to all. The implementation of
death penalty, especially on those innocent people might actually be the reason why people would
protest against the government or worse, would be criminals themselves in seek of vengeance.
According to the NC Coalition for Alternatives to Death Penalty, the murder rate for the state of
North Carolina actually declined following a halt in utilizing execution as a form of punishment.
The coalition also points out that, “…most people on death row committed their crimes in the heat
of passion, while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or while suffering from mental illness.
They represent a group that is highly unlikely to make rational decisions based on a fear of future
consequences for their actions.”

CONCLUSION

Therefore, we conclude that death penalty’s disadvantages ultimately outweigh its

advantages. Thus, death penalty is impractical, not beneficial and unnecessary. For as the famous
Mahatma Gandhi would say, “an eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”
Death Penalty Position Paper. [2017, March 13]. Retrieved from
https://maangeliechanblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/death-penalty-a-group-work-position-paper/

LET US PRACTICE

1. What is the position of the writer(s) about death penalty?

(State the writer ‘s position)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you agree with the writer(s)? Why? Why not?

(Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in agreeing or disagreeing with the views of others.
I agree with the writer’s claim that… I don’t agree with the authors ideas/thoughts…because…)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. State the first argument of the writer.

The first argument of the writer is…
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the conclusion of the writer?

(Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in Drawing Conclusion Using the Work of Others
Based on the writer, a connection can be made between…or As a conclusion…)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. If you were to write a position paper what will be your stance about death penalty?
(Helpful Tip: Useful Expression in presenting your own point of view… I strongly believe that... I
think/contend that…)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LET US PRACTICE MORE

What is your stand in the following arguments? Write them briefly on a separate sheet of paper.

• You must go to a top-tier university in order to be successful.

• Academic qualification ensures success in life.
• Transsexual should be treated as real women.

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 • Individual work is easier than group work.

LET US REMEMBER

In this part of the lesson, you are going to write down the insights and learning you’ve had for
this lesson. Do not forget to include the lesson or topic which you want to continue learning and
the persons whom you think can help you learn them. Do this in the separate sheet of paper.

In this lesson, I learned that… I will continue learning about To learn this, I will ask help
from

LET US APPRECIATE

Listen to a motivational speech on YouTube “Take a Stand – A Motivational Speech for Students”
by Ed Helms on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAHSu1REvaU and answer the
following questions:

1. Who is speaking?
2. In what type of event do you think that speech is intended for?
3. List down the things that the speaker said about being a fool. Why did he say, “remember to
be a fool”?
4. What is too often the fancy word for cynicism? How about the condescending word for joy,
wonder and curiosity?
5. What were the lines/words of George Bernard Shaw that was quoted by the speaker?
6. Who would only risk failure according to the speaker?
7. What is the most potent catalyst for growth that he mentioned?
8. What did he say about “good old days”?
9. What did he say about “foolish diversions”?
10. How did he end his speech?

EVALUATION

It’s time for you to write your position paper!

• Choose a topic of your choice that has two clear sides and that you have opinion about.
Topics can come from the news, popular culture, school or anywhere. All that matters is
that your position is valid, can be defended and the counter position can be argued
against. Ensure that your position paper has introduction, body and conclusion. Be guided
with the rubric below.

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Source: https://eng.ucmerced.edu/people/awesterling/SPR2016.ESS141/Assignments/rubric2.pdf

References:

What is Position Paper? (2017, Jan 30). Retrieved from http://studymoose.com/what-is-

position-paper-essay
Writing a Position Paper. Retrieved February 10, 2021 from the World Wide Web:
https://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm

Prepared by:

MELANIE SANTIAGO-YAMZON
Teacher I
Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School