POSITION

PAPER
PRESENTED BY: THE GROUP OF WISE
 POSITION PAPER
A position paper is an essay that presents an arguable opinion about
an issue – typically that of the author or some specified entity.
Position papers are published in academia, in politics, in law and
other domains. The goal of a position paper is to convince the
audience that the opinion presented is valid and worth listening to.
Ideas for position papers that one is considering need to be carefully
examined when choosing a topic, developing an argument, and
organizing the paper.
 POSITION PAPER

A Position Paper is a common type of academic argument writing assignment.

Typically, a Position Paper is written after reading about and discussing a particular
issue. Quite often, the readings cover more than one issue, and as a writer you must
choose a particular area of focus. The central goal of writing a position paper is not
only to state and defend your position on the issue but also to show how your
stance relates to other positions. As we write the Position Paper, we will continue to
practice skills such as articulating a thesis statement that contains an overall claim,
developing an argument with reasons and evidence, and using transitions and reader
cues for coherence.
 HOW TO
WRITE A
POSITION
PAPER
 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.

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.
 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.