A Handy Guide to How to Write a
Position Paper
What is a position paper?
Before you get to writing a position paper, it is good to understand vividly how
to define a position paper. Many individuals confuse a position paper for being just a
report like any other whereas it is clear that a position paper entails the writer lying on
one side of the issue under discussion.
While writing a position paper, you need to give your position on the issue at hand. A
position paper can be written in different incidents such as in a discussion of
international challenges affecting different nations and formulation of policies to curb
the issues.
In the case of the formulation of international policies, you can even be required by the
members of the conference to forward your paper even before the meeting so that the
direction of the debate can be determined and set at an early stage. A position paper can
also be written in the case of institutions’ meetings while addressing different issues
affecting the organization.
How to write a position paper
After getting the meaning of a position paper, we can now proceed on how to go about
in writing a position paper.
Below are some of the guide before writing your paper:
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Understanding the topic given- in most cases you will be given the topic that
you are supposed to discuss, and it is your responsibility as a participant to
understand the topic first before you take a position on the matter. When you
fail to understand the topic well, you may end up giving points that do not
display your position. In the understanding of the topic, you can go ahead and
conduct some research on the topic just to be certain of the points that you will
come up with.
Ensure your topic can easily be arguable- in some incidents, you may be asked
to pick on a topic to write on for your position paper. Many topics can be used
for argument purposes especially current trends and issues affecting the society
today. You should be able to go for a topic that has points and can bring
contradiction to arise argument. When you go for a common topic where most
people would lie on one side of your stand then that is not a good topic, a good
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topic should have almost similar points on both sides of the argument to bring a
healthy conversation of the parties involved.
List the advantages and disadvantages for both sides of the argument- when you
list the advantages and disadvantages of two different sides of the argument you
will be able to pick the best position that you can confidently argue.
Pick your position and formulate your points- in a position paper you have to
take a position in the argument. Ensure that you have sufficient points to
support your position.
Understand your audience position on the matter- it is also good to understand
where your audience is placed in the argument so that you can design your
arguments to satisfy them on the points you try to bring out.
To make your paper outstand you should:
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Design an official look for your paper- in being official you only need to be
realistic in your arguments so that the readers can easily be convinced with your
points without much questioning.
Make it as simple as possible- in a presentation of your claims you should
ensure that you are direct to the point and avoid unclear explanations because it
makes your work tiresome to read. Be clear by using simple, understandable
language, avoid too much use of vocabulary in your work.
Be organized in the presentation of your points- you should be able to know
which point comes first and ensure each idea is placed in its paragraph. This will
also help your paper have an official look.
Put references for your points- citing your sources is very key as it gives your
points a higher hand over the rest given that it can be refereed hence valid.
Go through your paper after completing- it is good to proofread your work as it
will enable you to see some common mistakes made and you can also change
the flow of points to be persuasive to your audience.
Position paper writing format – which one is
correct?
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The thesis
The first thing that you should major on in your paper is the thesis. The thesis statement
is the one that will dictate the direction of your paper. In the thesis statement bring the
issue at hand in the limelight and let the reader know your direction on the argument.
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The introduction
After the thesis, you proceed to the introduction. The introduction is also a very
important part of your paper because it will either attract the reader to your paper or
dismiss them if it does not look appealing. You should take your time in coming up
with a good introduction to attract the reader to the body.
To achieve this, you can apply suspense that will make the reader want to explore more
in the body. The suspense will act as a hook for your reader, if you fail to get the
reader’s attention well in the introductory part, then he or she may fail to read the
important points outlined in your body, and the paper would be boring. You should
climax your intro with the thesis.
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The body
In the body, you should be able to give both sides of the argument but center more
points on the position that you are interested in as a writer. You can give a few points
concerning the counter argument then finish up with ample points and support for your
desired position in the argument.
This will act well for the reader because they will see that you are not biased but at the
end, you will have convinced them towards your direction. Include enough evidence in
the body as a support for your points. The more you have the support statements, the
more you are convincing your audience and hence, the success of the paper.
You should be able to understand your position formula. Get to know how you will let
the reader know that you are for a certain stand and against the other creatively. You
can even achieve this by giving the pros and cons in favor of your position I the
argument.
In designing of the body, you should start your paragraphs with good topic sentences –
the topic sentence is a small sentence that introduces an idea to be discussed in that
paragraph. Since you will have given each paragraph its idea, then the topic sentences
should be unique for each paragraph.
In designing your paragraph, start with the idea then back it up with evidence. The
evidence is key as it helps the reader understand your points. After every claim, you
should accompany evidence and make them as many as you can because they give
strength to your ideas. At this point that you can refer to different statistics and quotes
just to validate your ideas and be persuasive.
Also, do not use outline your evidence without explaining it, will be as good as not
mentioning it, ensure you explain your evidence to the satisfaction of your reader.
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The conclusion
In conclusion, you are supposed to summarize all your points and give your view on the
argument. At the start of the conclusion, restate your thesis just to remind the reader of
what your intentions were in the paper then support your thesis with a summary of the
points in the body paragraphs.
You should clearly state your position in the concluding paragraph. You can also go on
and dismiss the opposing points in brief as a wrap up of your paper. End your paper
with a call for implementation. Let the reader see the need for your paper by what you
are calling for address.
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Cite your references
After the conclusion, you should list the reference material used in your research just in
case the reader needs to confirm something from your points.
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Proofread your work
It is good to go through your work after writing just to ensure that you have written
everything correctly and you haven’t left anything behind. You can easily identify
simple grammar and spelling mistakes when you go through your paper after writing.
Position paper examples
For you to perfect your writing skills of a position paper, you need to be exposed to
different position paper samples. There are different position papers written addressing
different scenarios, it can be either on state affairs or of a specific organization, and
each takes a different flow and structure. When you get exposed to these examples, you
will be able to dictate the right structure and outline for your given paper.
5 Steps to Writing a Position Paper
Updated July 20, 2019
In a position paper assignment, your charge is to choose a side on a
particular topic, sometimes controversial, and build up a case for your
opinion or position. You will use facts, opinion, statistics, and other forms
of evidence to convince your reader that your position is the best one. To do
this, you'll collect research for your position paper and craft an outline in
order to create a well-constructed argument.
Select a Topic for Your Paper
Your position paper centers around a topic that is supported by research.
Your topic and position have to hold up when challenged, so it's helpful to
research a few topics and pick the one you can best argue, even if it may not
reflect your personal beliefs. In many cases, the subject matter and your
topic are not as important as your ability to make a strong case. Your topic
can be simple or complex, but your argument must be sound and logical.
Conduct Preliminary Research
Preliminary research is necessary to determine whether sufficient evidence
is available to back up your stance. You don’t want to get too attached to a
topic that falls apart under a challenge.
Search a few reputable sites, like education (.edu) sites and government
(.gov) sites, to find professional studies and statistics. If you come up with
nothing after an hour of searching, or if you find that your position doesn’t
stand up to the findings on reputable sites, choose another topic. This could
save you from a lot of frustration later.
Challenge Your Own Topic
You must know the opposite view as well as you know your own stance
when you take a position. Take the time to determine all the possible
challenges that you might face as you support your view. Your position
paper must address the opposing view and chip away at it with
counter-evidence. Consider having friends, colleagues, or family debate the
topic with you to get alternative points of view that you might not have
readily considered yourself. When you find arguments for the other side of
your position, you can address them in a fair manner, and then state why
they are not sound.
Another helpful exercise is to draw a line down the middle of a plain sheet
of paper and list your points on one side and list opposing points on the
other side. Which argument is really better? If it looks like your opposition
might outnumber you with valid points, you should reconsider your topic or
your stance on the topic.
Continue to Collect Supporting Evidence
Once you’ve determined that your position is supportable and the opposite
position is (in your opinion) weaker than your own, you are ready to branch
out with your research. Go to a library and conduct a search, or ask the
reference librarian to help you find more sources. You can, of
course, conduct online research as well, but it's important to know how to
properly vet the validity of the sources you use. Ensure that your articles are
written by reputable sources, and be wary of singular sources that differ
from the norm, as these are often subjective rather than factual in nature.
Try to collect a variety of sources, and include both an expert’s opinion
(doctor, lawyer, or professor, for example) and personal experience (from a
friend or family member) that can add an emotional appeal to your topic.
These statements should support your own position but should read
differently than your own words. The point of these is to add depth to your
argument or provide anecdotal support.
Create an Outline
A position paper can be arranged in the following format:
1. Introduce your topic with some basic background information. Build up
to your thesis sentence, which asserts your position. Sample points:
 For decades, the FDA has required that warning labels should be
placed on certain products that pose a threat to public health.
 Fast food restaurants are bad for our health.
 Fast food packages should contain warning labels.
2. Introduce possible objections to your position. Sample points:
 Such labels would affect the profits of major corporations.
 Many people would see this as overreaching government control.
 Whose job is it to determine which restaurants are bad? Who draws
the line?
 The program would be costly.
3. Support and acknowledge the opposing points. Just be sure you aren't
discrediting your own views. Sample points:
 It would be difficult and expensive for any entity to determine which
restaurants should adhere to the policy.
 Nobody wants to see the government overstepping its boundaries.
 Funding would fall on the shoulders of taxpayers.
4. Explain that your position is still the best one, despite the strength of
counter-arguments. This is where you can work to discredit some of the
counter-arguments and support your own. Sample points:
 The cost would be countered by the improvement of public health.
 Restaurants might improve the standards of food if warning labels
were put into place.
 One role of the government is to keep citizens safe.
 The government already does this with drugs and cigarettes.
5. Summarize your argument and restate your position. End your paper
focusing on your argument and avoid the counter-arguments. You want
your audience to walk away with your view on the topic being one that
resonates with them.
When you write a position paper, write with confidence and state your
opinion with authority. After all, your goal is to demonstrate that your
position is the correct one.