A position is your answer to the task, stated as a verdict the reader can repeat back to you. In an argumentative composition, every later paragraph exists to defend it.
This lesson belongs to SPM Bahasa Cina argumentative composition. The next step is developing reasons with concrete examples.
What makes a position sentence clear?
A clear position passes three checks. It answers the exact question asked, it takes one side, and it could be argued against by a sensible person.
Take the task 《学校是否应该取消考试？》. The question asks about cancelling exams, so the answer must say 取消 or 不取消. A sentence that talks only about 考试很重要 does not answer it.
Three openings for the same task
Here are three ways a student might finish the opening paragraph for 《学校应该每周设立一天无功课日吗？》.
| Type | Sentence | Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | 今天我要谈谈功课的问题。 | Names the topic, takes no side |
| Fence | 功课有好处也有坏处，不能一概而论。 | Sounds balanced, but nothing can be defended |
| Position | 我认为学校应该每周设立一天无功课日，让学生有时间复习和休息。 | Answers the task, picks a side, gives a reason |
Only the third sentence lets the marker predict your argument. The announcement and the fence might look safe, but they leave the later paragraphs without a job.
Worked example: from task to position
Task: 《青少年应该拥有自己的储蓄户口吗？》
- Underline the question. The question is 应该拥有 or 不应该拥有.
- Choose the side with better examples. You can picture a student saving pocket money for a school trip, but you struggle to imagine a strong example against. Choose 应该.
- Reuse the task words. Keep 青少年, 储蓄户口 and 应该 in your sentence.
- Add a limit or a reason. Limits make a position safer: 在家长的陪同下, or 因为能培养责任感.
- Write it once. 我认为青少年应该在家长的陪同下拥有自己的储蓄户口，因为这能培养他们的责任感。
Check against the three tests. It answers the question, it takes the 应该 side, and someone could disagree (some families prefer 父母代管). That is the target.
The mistake to avoid
The common slip is to bury the position under background. A student writes four sentences about how 科技发展很快 before touching the question, and the verdict never appears.
The fix is a simple count: if the reader cannot find your side within the first three sentences, move the position sentence forward. Background should serve the position, not delay it.
Another slip is changing sides halfway. If the opening says 应该 and a body paragraph drifts into reasons for 不应该, the marker sees a confused composition. Read your position sentence again before writing each paragraph.
Check yourself
Task: 《中学生应该在周末做兼职吗？》Below are two openings. Which one is a clear position, and how would you improve the other?
- A. 兼职是一个值得讨论的问题。
- B. 我认为中学生不应该在周末做兼职，因为周末是他们复习功课、恢复精神的时间。
Answer
B is the clear position. It answers 应该 or 不应该, uses the task words (中学生, 周末, 兼职) and gives a reason.
A only announces the topic. To improve it, choose a side and add a limit: 我认为中学生可以在周末做兼职，但每周不应超过八小时，以免影响学习。
What to study next
Once the position is stable, each reason needs proof. Continue with developing reasons with concrete examples, then try the argumentative composition practice set. The Chinese composition structure planner helps you place the position sentence in a full outline.
If you want a teacher to read your openings and improve them, see online one-to-one Chinese tuition.