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    Essentials of A Position Paper

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    Juan Bago
    The document provides guidelines for writing an effective position paper in 3 sentences or less: Position papers must follow a specific format, be written in a business memorandum style with the main points up front followed by details, and use a persuasive and confident tone. They should include an executive summary describing the issue, positions, and the writer's position; a background section with details; an alternatives section discussing other positions and reasons for the writer's view; and a summary restating the importance and position. Effective position papers require thorough research of all perspectives to support arguments and anticipate counterclaims.

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    Essentials of A Position Paper

    Uploaded by

    Juan Bago
    261 views4 pages
    The document provides guidelines for writing an effective position paper in 3 sentences or less: Position papers must follow a specific format, be written in a business memorandum style with the main points up front followed by details, and use a persuasive and confident tone. They should include an executive summary describing the issue, positions, and the writer's position; a background section with details; an alternatives section discussing other positions and reasons for the writer's view; and a summary restating the importance and position. Effective position papers require thorough research of all perspectives to support arguments and anticipate counterclaims.

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    Essentials of a Position Paper

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    Essentials of a Position Paper

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    The document provides guidelines for writing an effective position paper in 3 sentences or less: Position papers must follow a specific format, be written in a business memorandum style with the main points up front followed by details, and use a persuasive and confident tone. They should include an executive summary describing the issue, positions, and the writer's position; a background section with details; an alternatives section discussing other positions and reasons for the writer's view; and a summary restating the importance and position. Effective position papers require thorough research of all perspectives to support arguments and anticipate counterclaims.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    261 views4 pages

    Essentials of A Position Paper

    Uploaded by

    Juan Bago
    The document provides guidelines for writing an effective position paper in 3 sentences or less: Position papers must follow a specific format, be written in a business memorandum style with the main points up front followed by details, and use a persuasive and confident tone. They should include an executive summary describing the issue, positions, and the writer's position; a background section with details; an alternatives section discussing other positions and reasons for the writer's view; and a summary restating the importance and position. Effective position papers require thorough research of all perspectives to support arguments and anticipate counterclaims.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    of 4

    ESSENTIALS OF A POSITION PAPER

    The papers MUST be TYPED and follow the format; 12 point font, double spaced, 1 inch margins unless
    otherwise noted. All position papers must include a bibliography! If you have more than one topic you must write a
    separate Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 for each topic!

    It should be written in a business memorandum format. A business memorandum makes its main points up
    front, in the summary, followed by details in the balance of the report. It also is written in a tone that is succinct
    and confident. Position memorandums, in particular, should be written with a persuasive and confident tone
    (although you must always back up your position(s) with research and facts). It should be typed, with one and one-
    half line spacing (e.g., in between single and double spacing). The detailed business memo format is as follows,
    including guidelines for length:

    1) executive summary (one - one & one-half pages)


    a. brief description of the issue and its importance
    b. brief description of alternative positions on the issue
    c. brief description of writer’s position on the issue and reason(s)
    2) background (two – three pages)
    a. background information/details surrounding the issue
    3) alternatives (two – three pages)
    a. detailed discussion of alternative positions
    b. detailed discussion of reason(s) for writer’s position
    4) summary (one page)
    a. restate the importance of the issue
    b. restate position
    c. mention additional research/discovery needed from others that would be helpful to furthering
    knowledge on the issue
    5) works cited

    What are the objectives of writing a position paper?


     Formally inform others of your position or viewpoint in an issue
    as a foundation to build resolution to difficult problems.
     Present a unique, though biased, solution
    or a unique approach to solving a problem

     Frame the discussion in order to define the "playing field."


    This can put you in an advantageous position with those who may not be so well prepared as regards the
    issues behind their positions

     Establish credibility
    Here you are demonstrating that you have a command of the issues and the research behind them, and
    can present them clearly

     Let your passion be demonstrated in the force of your argument


    rather than in the use of emotional terms

     Consistency is a key here

    “The better prepared you are


    the more disadvantaged are your opponents
    and more likely they will defer to you”
    Research:

     Develop supporting evidence for both sides


    including factual knowledge, statistical evidence, authoritative testimony
     Identify the issues and prejudices keeping in mind your audience
    List these as appropriate and anticipate counterclaims

     Assume familiarity with basic concepts


    but define unfamiliar terms/concepts or state meanings that define your point of departure

     Refer to those who agree with your position to assist you in developing your argument

     Familiarize yourself with those who disagree with you to prepare your defense.
    Summarize their argument and evidence, then refute

    Introduction:

    Consider your audience:


    start with a topic sentence or two that attracts attention and summarizes the issue
    Inform the reader of your point of view

    Development:

    Focus on three main points to develop


    Each topic is developed with

     a general statement of the position


     an elaboration that references documents and source data

     past experiences and authoritative testimony

     conclusion restating the position

    Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph

     Keep your voice active


     Quote sources to establish authority

     Stay focused on your point of view throughout the essay

     Focus on logical arguments

     Don't lapse into summary


    in the development--wait for the conclusion

    Conclusion

     Summarize, then conclude, your argument


     Refer to the first paragraph/opening statements as well as the main points

    o does the conclusion restate the main ideas?


    o reflect the succession and importance of the arguments

    o logically conclude their development?

    *note: your position paper could be in an outline form or a full blown paragraph form.

    David Markowitz
    Al Filreis
    English 285
    December 4, 1995

    I. Introduction

    ___A. Introduce the topic

    ___B. Provide background on the topic

    ___C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue)

    II. Counter Argument

    ___A. Summarize the counterclaims

    ___B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims

    ___C. Refute the counterclaims

    ___D. Give evidence for argument

    III. Your Argument

    ___A. Assert point #1 of your claims

    _____1. Give your opinion

    _____2. Provide support

    ___B. Assert point #2 of your claims

    _____1. Give your opinion


    _____2. Provide support

    ___C. Assert point #3 of your claims

    _____1. Give your opinion

    _____2. Provide support

    IV. Conclusion

    ___A. Restate your argument

    ___B. Provide a plan of action

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