How Do You Start Writing A Position Paper

How do you start writing a position paper?
1. Choose an arguable issue. You will need to be sure that this is a real issue, with genuine
controversy and uncertainty, which means it is one that people hold different views about.
2. Read through information on the issue.
3. Narrow your topic into a single statement which states your position. This could be a
claim of fact, definition, cause, value, or policy.
Note:
Some teachers use the term "argument essay" and others call it a "position essay" or “a point
of view paper.” These terms mean the same thing and are used interchangeably.
In your Reading and Writing Skill (RWS) course, you learned the different types of claims.
Your knowledge of these types of claims will help you in your position paper writing. Let’s just
review them briefly in the form of a short quiz. Write your answer on your answer sheet.
Identifying Claims and Arguments
Identify what claim is described in the following statements whether claim of value, fact,
cause and effect, policy or definition.
1. A claim that presents verifiable forms of evidence as the supporting foundation for an
inferred position statement
2. A claim which argues that something is good or bad, or that one thing is better than another
thing
3. A claim which consists of an argument that certain conditions should exist. It advocates the
adoption of policies or courses of action because problems have arisen that call for a
solution
4. A claim based on the concept that one thing influences or causes another
5. A claim that centers on the definition of one term.
For items 6-10, identify what type of claim is used in the following examples.
6. How can pro-life and pro-choice groups work together?

7. Solar and wind power are better sources of energy than oil, gas, or coal.
8. Are beauty contests a positive thing for young girls?
9. Should reality T.V. shows have regulations?
10. Should the racial make-up of a police department be the same as the community they
serve?
Now, notice how the last five statements in the quiz are written. What types of interrogative
statements are they? What can you say about their content or the issues that are presented?
There are four main characteristics of a good issue which I would like you to be able to
observe from the examples. Can you list them on your answer sheets?
To guide you in position paper writing, let’s take a look at this outline.
SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR A POSITION PAPER
I. Introduction
 Introduce the topic
 Discuss the background and explain why the topic is important
 Provide a general statement of your position via your thesis statement
Your introduction has a dual purpose: to indicate both the topic and your approach to it (your
thesis statement), and to arouse your reader’s interest in what you have to say. One effective
way of introducing a topic is to place it in context – to supply a kind of backdrop that will put it
in perspective. You should discuss the area into which your topic fits, and then gradually lead
into your specific field of discussion (re: your thesis statement). II. Counter Argument
 Summarize the counterclaims
 Provide supporting information for counterclaims
 Refute the counterclaims
 Give evidence for argument
You can generate counterarguments by asking yourself what someone who disagrees with
you might say about each of the points you've made or about your position as a whole. Once
you have thought up some counterarguments, consider how you will respond to them--will you
concede that your opponent has a point but explain why your audience should nonetheless
accept your argument? Will you reject the counterargument and explain why it is mistaken?
Either way, you will want to leave your reader with a sense that your argument is stronger
than opposing arguments.
When you are summarizing opposing arguments, be charitable. Present each argument fairly
and objectively, rather than trying to make it look foolish. You want to show that you have
seriously considered the many sides of the issue, and that you are not simply attacking or
mocking your opponents.
It is usually better to consider one or two serious counterarguments in some depth, rather
than to give a long but superficial list of many different counterarguments and replies.
Be sure that your reply is consistent with your original argument. If considering a
counterargument changes your position, you will need to go back and revise your original
argument accordingly.
III. Your Argument

 Assert point #1 of your claims
Give your educated and informed opinion
Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
You may have more than 3 overall points to your argument, but you should not have fewer.
IV. Conclusion
 Restate your argument
 Suggest a course of action but do not introduce new information  State what makes
your position superior and more acceptable.
 End with a powerful closing statement such as a quotation, a challenge, or a question.
ADDITIONAL TIPS IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER

a. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when you first mention them.
b. Use an active voice as much as possible to achieve a dynamic and firm tone.
c. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their beliefs, needs, interests.
d. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or deductive approach.

-In an inductive approach, you discuss specific information first, then look for
patterns to create a general conclusion. In essence, an inductive approach entails a flow from
specific to general ideas.
-In a deductive approach, you take something general and then branch out think of
specific things that could apply to it. Basically, this type of reasoning where the flow of
discussion starts with a general theory and moves to a specific hypothesis.
e. Check your argument for fallacies and eliminate them. Fallacies, or errors in
reasoning, weaken your arguments.
f. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal. An ethical appeal (ethos) relates to your
authority, credibility and competence, as a writer; a logical appeal (logos) refers to a
rational or reasoned approach in developing an argument; while an emotional appeal
(pathos) uses arguments in a way that evokes feelings.

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How do you start writing a position paper?

2. Read through information on the issue.

5. A claim that centers on the definition of one term.

6. How can pro-life and pro-choice groups work together?

III. Your Argument

ADDITIONAL TIPS IN WRITING A POSITION PAPER

d. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or deductive approach.

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