How To Write A Position Paper

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 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:
• • 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, 9 a good
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:
• 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 Outline
• How to organize your position paper? Follow these
easy steps to develop your position paper. This outline
helps you organize your paper as easy as 123
1. Introduction
• Present your topic. Say why it is worth discussing, its
history. Dwell on its controversies. Make a thesis
statement that would express your opinion in one
sentence.
2. Body
• Present a prevailing opinion on the issue, main arguments, what they
are based on.
• Counter the arguments with your own opinion, backed up by reliable

data you have found during the preliminary research. Keep in mind
that you should present as many counter-arguments as there are pro-
arguments. So, if you have 3 statements that support an idea you
disagree with, you should provide three opposing statements and
prove why they are worth considering.
3. Conclusion
• Restate both opinions. Give a summary of what
you argue for. Provide a strategy that would help
resolve the issue.

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How to Write a Position Paper

• What is a position paper?

• Before you get to writing a position paper, it is good to

• Counter the arguments with your own opinion, backed up by reliable

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