USU Position Paper Guidelines
Every delegation is responsible, before the Conference begins, to write a one page, typed, double-spaced position paper defining
the topic on the agenda and its connection to the country’s national interests. You should write on the topic outlined by your
committee directors in the background guides.
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Position papers are a succinct empirical analysis of your country’s policy position on each of your committee topics.
Papers should include specific documentation for that position (speeches by foreign ministers, international and
regional conventions, treaties, declarations, resolutions, programmes of action, and so forth).
Papers must incorporate your country’s recommendation for solution of specific issues to be addressed during
committee session.
The topic should be addressed briefly in a succinct policy statement representing the relevant views of your assigned
country. You should also include recommendations for action to be taken by your committee
SUBSTANTIVE TIPS
1. Stick to the facts; do not fabricate them. Even though specific foreign policy information may be difficult to locate in
some circumstances, accurateness should always be your goal. Effective delegates learn to synthesize relevant
information. Look at countries with similar diplomatic characteristics to triangulate policy positions.
2. The UN usually suggests rather than demanding or mandating. Do not be undiplomatically specific. A little generality
in a position paper may give you some leverage at the conference. However, vague statements about your country's
policy can also be problematic. Be as clear as possible without putting yourself in an uncompromising position.
3. Remember that you are representing your country's position and not your own. You will likely disagree with some
issues, but you must still represent them effectively.
4. Do not plagiarize. You should formally cite in parenthetical references or footnotes material gathered in research. Each
paper should include a list of works cited.
TIPS FOR WRITING, GRAMMAR, STYLE
1. Outline your arguments before you write them.
2. Write straightforwardly and clearly. If you get bogged down in a sentence, explain what you're trying to say to a
teammate (it may take a few tries) and then write it down.
3. Avoid long, unwieldy sentences. They confuse your readers rather than impress them.
4. Refer to country in the third person—“France believes,” “the government of France supports,” “France seeks,” etc.
5. Use active voice rather than passive voice; don’t change your verbs into nouns.
6. Put the subject and action verbs near the beginning of the sentence.
7. Countries are "it," not "they."
8. Avoid long strings of prepositional phrases ("of," "in," "as," "because," "within," "to").
9. Avoid unnecessary jargon, slang, and informal writing (e.g., contractions, idioms, etc.).
FORMATTING AND CONTENT
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12 pt. font
1” margins
Times New Roman
Justified
Bold Headings
Perfect Grammar and Spelling
Correct use of English Language
Use of sample
Substance must reflect research
Some important questions that you’ll need to understand about the topics as you write your position paper are as
follows:
o On what committees / organizations does your country participate in?
o How is your country involved?
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What has your country done in the past?
What is your country currently doing?
What is your country’s current attitude toward the issue?
What is your country’s reasoning for that position?
If your country does not have an explicit policy or position, what can you infer from your country’s policies/positions on related
issues? What are the policies and positions of fellow countries in the same region?
Also note some useful phrases to use in your writing; usually starting with [Your Country] . . .
recognizes
supports
commends
urges
agrees
upholds
applauds
believes
stands
acknowledges
ratifies
emphasizes
expresses
encourages
affirms
understands
calls for
welcomes
disagrees
is aware
feels that
promotes
proposes to
contends that
stresses
endorses
observes
refreshes
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POLICY PAPER CHECKLIST:
1 page, double-spaced, about 3 paragraphs in no larger than 12 point font
At least 3 sources should be listed in MLA style following text of policy
SEVERAL Parenthetical citations made throughout
Emailed to Gregg or put in dropbox
DO NOT CUT & PASTE! Paraphrase and cite
A MUN veteran (more than 2 conferences) reads and critiques
CORRECT HEADING IS INCLUDED
NOTHING INDIVIDUALISTIC OR NON-ACADEMIC
2 COPIES PRINTED OUT BY FRIDAY, 1/15!!! (When it is perfect)