How to Write a Position Paper

In a position paper assignment, your charge is to choose a side on a particular controversial topic and
build up a case for your opinion or position. Once you state your position, you will use facts, opinion,
statistics and other forms of evidence to convince your reader that your position is the best one.

As you collect research for your position paper and begin to craft an outline, you must remember that
the teacher will be looking for a well-constructed argument. This means that the subject matter and
your topic is not as important as your ability to make a case. Your topic could be simple or complex—but
your argument must be sound and logical.

Select a Topic for Your Paper

Your position paper is going to center around a personal belief that is supported by research, so you
have an opportunity to tap into your own strong feelings in this assignment. Take advantage of this
opportunity! Find a topic that is near and dear to your heart, and you’ll put more of your heart into your
work. That always leads to a better outcome.

Conduct Preliminary Research

Preliminary research is necessary to determine whether evidence is available to back up your stance.
You don’t want to get to attached to a topic that falls apart under a challenge.

Search a few reputable sites, like educations sites and government 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, you should choose another topic. This will save you
from a lot of frustration later on.

Challenge Your Own Topic

This is a very important step! You must know the opposite view as well as you know your own stance
when you take a position. You must know 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.

For this reason, you must find arguments for the other side of your position, present those arguments or
points in a fair manner, and then state why they are not sound.

One helpful exercise is to draw a line down the middle of a plain sheet of paper and list your points on
one side and list opposing points on the other side. Which argument is really better? If it looks like your
opposition might outnumber you with valid points, you might be in trouble!

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.
Try to collect a variety of sources, to include an expert’s opinion (doctor, lawyer, or professor, for
example) and personal experience (from a friend or family member) that can add an emotional appeal
to your topic.

Create an Outline
A position paper might be arranged in the following format:

1. Introduce your topic with a little 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. List possible objections to your position. Sample points:

Such labels would affect 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 acknowledgment of the opposing points. 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. 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.

Get Attitude When you write a position paper, you should write with confidence. In this paper, you want
to state your opinion with authority. After all, your goal is to demonstrate that your position is the
correct one. Be assertive, but don't be cocky. State your points and back them up with evidence.

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-position-paper-1857251
WRITING A POSITION PAPER

The following material explains how to produce a position paper (sometimes called a point of view
paper). A template is provided that outlines the major parts of a good position paper. Keep in mind,
however, that this is just a guide. Talk to your TAs about their individual expectations. Your TAs may
want you to include some criteria that do not appear in this outline. Make sure you check with them.

Like a debate, a position paper presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal of a
position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and defensible. Ideas that you are
considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and
organizing your paper. It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and
presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to take one side of the
argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic being
presented. It is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims,
as well as to refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides.

Issue Criteria

To take a side on a subject, you should first establish the arguability of a topic that interests you. Ask
yourself the following questions to ensure that you will be able to present a strong argument:

Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and uncertainty?

Can you identify at least two distinctive positions?
Are you personally interested in advocating one of these positions?
Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be manageable?
In the CMNS 130 courseware the article by Fleras begins to set out a range of issues you may choose to
address. Your tutorial leader will also have a set of suggested paper topics. The suggested paper topics
will also be available on the CMNS 130 website.

Analyzing an Issue and Developing an Argument

Once your topic is selected, you should do some research on the subject matter. While you may already
have an opinion on your topic and an idea about which side of the argument you want to take, you need
to ensure that your position is well supported. Listing the pro and con sides of the topic will help you
examine your ability to support your counterclaims, along with a list of supporting evidence for both
sides. Supporting evidence includes the following:

Type of Information
Type of Source
How to find these sources
introductory information and overviews

directories, encyclopedias, handbooks

Use the Library catalogue

in-depth studies

books, government reports

Library catalogue, Canadian Research Index, Government web sites

scholarly articles

academic journals

Article indexes

current issues

newspapers, magazines

Article indexes

statistics

government agencies and associations

Statistics Canada, Canadian Research Index, journal articles

position papers and analyses

association and institute reports

Library catalogue, web sites

Many of these sources can be located online through the library catalogue and electronic databases, or
on the Web. You may be able to retrieve the actual information electronically or you may have to visit a
library to find the information in print. The librarian’s presentation on October 10th after your mid-term
exam will assist in your orientation of the SFU library.

** You do not have to use all of the above supporting evidence in your papers. This is simply a list of the
various options available to you. Consult your separate assignment sheet to clarify the number and type
of sources expected.

Considering your audience and determining your viewpoint

Once you have made your pro and con lists, compare the information side by side. Considering your
audience, as well as your own viewpoint, choose the position you will take.

Considering your audience does not mean playing up to the professor or the TA. To convince a particular
person that your own views are sound, you have to consider his or her way of thinking. If you are writing
a paper for a sociology professor/TA obviously your analysis would be different from what it would be if
you were writing for an economics, history, or communications professor/TA. You will have to make
specific decisions about the terms you should explain, the background information you should supply,
and the details you need to convince that particular reader.

In determining your viewpoint, ask yourself the following:

Is your topic interesting? Remember that originality counts. Be aware that your professor/TA will
probably read a number of essays on the same topic(s), so any paper that is inventive and original will
not only stand out but will also be appreciated.
Can you manage the material within the specifications set by the instructor?
Does your topic assert something specific, prove it, and where applicable, propose a plan of action?
Do you have enough material or proof to support your opinion?

Organization
Sample Outline

I. Introduction
___A. Introduce the topic
___B. Provide background on the topic to explain why it is important
___C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue). More on thesis statements can be found below.

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

___A. Summarize the counterclaims
___B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims
___C. Refute the counterclaims
___D. 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.

For more on counterarguments visit: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html

III. Your Argument

___A. Assert point #1 of your claims
_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
___B. Assert point #2 of your claims
_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
___C. Assert point #3 of your claims
_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. 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
___A. Restate your argument
___B. Provide a plan of action but do not introduce new information

The simplest and most basic conclusion is one that restates the thesis in different words and then
discusses its implications.

Stating Your Thesis

A thesis is a one-sentence statement about your topic. It's an assertion about your topic, something you
claim to be true. Notice that a topic alone makes no such claim; it merely defines an area to be covered.
To make your topic into a thesis statement, you need to make a claim about it, make it into a sentence.
Look back over your materials--brainstorms, investigative notes, etc.--and think about what you believe
to be true. Think about what your readers want or need to know. Then write a sentence, preferably at
this point, a simple one, stating what will be the central idea of your paper. The result should look
something like this:

Original Subject: an important issue in my major field

Focused Topic: media technology education for communication majors

Thesis: Theories of media technology deserve a more prominent place in this University’s
Communication program
Or if your investigations led you to a different belief:

Thesis: Communication majors at this University receive a solid background in theories of media
technology

It's always good to have a thesis you can believe in.

Notice, though, that a sentence stating an obvious and indisputable truth won't work as a thesis:

Thesis: This University has a Communication major.

That's a complete sentence, and it asserts something to be true, but as a thesis it's a dead end. It's a
statement of fact, pure and simple, and requires little or nothing added. A good thesis asks to have more
said about it. It demands some proof. Your job is to show your reader that your thesis is true.

Remember, you can't just pluck a thesis out of thin air. Even if you have remarkable insight concerning a
topic, it won't be worth much unless you can logically and persuasively support it in the body of your
essay. A thesis is the evolutionary result of a thinking process, not a miraculous creation. Formulating a
thesis is not the first thing you do after reading the essay assignment. Deciding on a thesis does not
come first. Before you can come up with an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize
evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or
similarities), and think about the beneath-the-surface significance of these relationships. After this initial
exploration of the question at hand, you can formulate a "working thesis," an argument that you think
will make sense of the evidence but that may need adjustment along the way. In other words, do not
show up at your TAs office hours expecting them to help you figure out your thesis statement and/or
help organize your paper unless you have already done some research.

For more information regarding thesis statements visit:

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html

Writing with style and clarity

Many students make the mistake of thinking that the content of their paper is all that matters. Although
the content is important, it will not mean much if the reader can’t understand what you are trying to
say. You may have some great ideas in your paper but if you cannot effectively communicate them, you
will not receive a very good mark. Keep the following in mind when writing your paper:

Diction

Diction refers to the choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and
application of words in your essay, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.; mode of expression;
and language. There is often a tendency for students to use fancy words and extravagant images in
hopes that it will make them sound more intelligent when in fact the result is a confusing mess.
Although this approach can sometimes be effective, it is advisable that you choose clear words and be as
precise in the expression of your ideas as possible.

Paragraphs

Creating clear paragraphs is essential. Paragraphs come in so many sizes and patterns that no single
formula could possibly cover them all. The two basic principles to remember are these:

1) A paragraph is a means of developing and framing an idea or impression. As a general rule, you
should address only one major idea per paragraph.

2) The divisions between paragraphs aren’t random, but indicate a shift in focus. In other words you
must carefully and clearly organize the order of your paragraphs so that they are logically positioned
throughout your paper. Transitions will help you with this.

For further information on paragraph development visit:

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/paragraphs.html

Transitions

In academic writing your goal is to convey information clearly and concisely, if not to convert the reader
to your way of thinking. Transitions help you to achieve these goals by establishing logical connections
between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your papers. In other words, transitions tell readers
what to do with the information you present them. Whether single words, quick phrases or full
sentences, they function as signs for readers that tell them how to think about, organize, and react to
old and new ideas as they read through what you have written.

Transitions signal relationships between ideas. Basically, transitions provide the reader with directions
for how to piece together your ideas into a logically coherent argument. They are words with particular
meanings that tell the reader to think and react in a particular way to your ideas. In providing the reader
with these important cues, transitions help readers understand the logic of how your ideas fit together.

LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP

TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION

Similarity

also, in the same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly

Exception/Contrast

but, however, in spite of, on the one hand ... on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless,
notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Sequence/Order

first, second, third, ... next, then, finally

Time

after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently,
simultaneously, subsequently, then

Example

for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate

Emphasis

even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly

Place/Position

above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there

Cause and Effect

accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus

Additional Support or Evidence

additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition,
moreover, then

Conclusion/Summary

finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude,
to summarize, in sum, in summary

For more information on transitions visit: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html

Grammar and Spelling

You must make certain that your paper is free from grammar and spelling mistakes. Mechanical errors
are usually the main reason for lack of clarity in essays, so be sure to thoroughly proof read your paper
before handing it in. For help with common errors in grammar and usage consult the following websites:

http://www.sfu.ca/~gmccarro/Grammar/Grammar.html http://ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.htm
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/
Plagiarism and academic honesty

Plagiarism is a form of stealing; as with other offences against the law, ignorance is no excuse. The way
to avoid plagiarism is to give credit where credit is due. If you are using someone else’s idea,
acknowledge it, even if you have changed the wording or just summarized the main points.

To avoid plagiarism, you must give credit whenever you use

another person's idea, opinion, or theory;

any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings--any pieces of information--that are not common knowledge;
quotations of another person's actual spoken or written words; or
paraphrase of another person's spoken or written words.
In addition to plagiarism, SFU has policies regarding other forms of academic dishonesty. For more
information on SFU’s policies regarding academic honesty consult your undergraduate calendar or
http://www.sfu.ca/policies/teaching/t10-02.htm. If any of the University’s policies are not clear you
must ask your professor or TA for clarification. Again, ignorance is no excuse.

SOURCES

The information included in the document “Writing a Position Paper” was adapted from the following
sources:

Guilford, C.(2001). Occasions for Argumentative Essays. Writing Argumentative Essays. Retrieved August
26, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.powa.org/argufrms.htm Previously adapted from:
Hairston, M. (1982) A Contemporary Rhetoric (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Northey, M. (1993). Making Sense: a student’s guide to research, writing, and style (3rd ed.). Toronto:
Oxford University Press.

UHWO Writing Center (1998) Writing a Position Paper. Retrieved August 26, 2002 from the World Wide
Web: http://homepages.uhwo.hawaii.edu/~writing/position.htm

UNC-CH Writing Center (2000). Constructing Thesis Statements. Writing Center Handouts. Retrieved
August 26, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
UNC-CH Writing Center (2000). Effective Academic Writing: The Argument. Writing Center Handouts.
Retrieved August 26, 2002 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html
UNC-CH Writing Center (2000). Paragraph Development. Writing Center Handouts. Retrieved August 26,
2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
UNC-CH Writing Center (2000). Transitions. Writing Center Handouts. Retrieved August 26, 2002 from
the World Wide Web: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
https://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm

Writing assignment series

Writing Position Papers
Write a position paper to
 Organize and outline your viewpoint on an issue
 Formally inform others of your position
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 your 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
 Guide you in being consistent in maintaining your position in negotiation
The better prepared you are
the more disadvantaged are your opponents and more likely they will defer to you
Guidelines:
 Format should be consistent with guidelines determined by the sponsoring organization or
committee
 Include topic, date, purpose, etc., and should readily identify you as the author
 If the paper represents a group, organization, committee, do not write in the first person (not I,
my, mine, etc. but rather we, our, etc.)
 Limit yourself to two pages following the format established by previous successful position
papers
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
 does the conclusion restate the main ideas?
 reflect the succession and importance of the arguments
 logically conclude their development?
Share a draft with others
to better develop the paper and ensure that your argument is clear
Revise, spell-check, and succeed in building your case.

Writing assignments
Writing for the "Web" | The five-paragraph essay | Essays for a literature class |
Expository essays | Persuasive essays | Position papers | Open book exams |
Essay Exams | White papers | Lab reports/scientific papers |
Research proposals | Elements of a Research Paper
Seven stages of writing assignments | "Lessons learned"

http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr9.htm
1. Make sure your topic is arguable. If you are choosing your own topic, then you will want to make sure
that it has multiple sides. The topic should be controversial, with at least 2 clear sides. Sometimes a
topic might seem to have 2 sides, but in actuality most people would agree on 1 side.[1]
For example, you wouldn’t want to write a paper arguing that children need proper care, as no one
would disagree with that stance.
A better topic may be taking a stance on what should be done if children are not receiving proper care.
How to Write a Position Paper
The purpose of a position paper is to generate support on an issue. It describes a position on an issue
and the rational
for that position. The position paper is based on facts that provide a solid foundation for your argument.
1 In the
position paper you should:
• Use evidence to support your position, such as statistical evidence or dates and events.
• Validate your position with authoritative references or primary source quotations.
• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of your position.
• Evaluate possible solutions and suggest courses of action.
Choose an issue where there is a clear division of opinion and which is arguable with facts and inductive
reasoning.
You may choose an issue on which you have already formed an opinion. However, in writing about this
issue you
must examine your opinion of the issue critically.2 Prior to writing your position paper, define and limit
your issue
carefully. Social issues are complex with multiple solutions. Narrow the topic of your position paper to
something
that is manageable. Research your issue thoroughly, consulting experts and obtaining primary
documents. Consider
feasibility, cost-effectiveness and political/social climate when evaluating possible solutions and courses
of action.
3
The following structure is typical of a position paper:
• An introduction
• Identification of the issue
• Statement of the position
• The body
• Background information
• Supporting evidence or facts
• A discussion of both sides of the issue
• A conclusion
• Suggested courses of action
• Possible solutions
The introduction should clearly identify the issue and state the author’s position. It should be written in
a way that
catches the reader’s attention.
The body of the position paper may contain several paragraphs. Each paragraph should present an idea
or main
concept that clarifies a portion of the position statement and is supported by evidence or facts. Evidence
can be
primary source quotations, statistical data, interviews with experts, and indisputable dates or events.
Evidence
should lead, through inductive reasoning, to the main concept or idea presented in the paragraph. The
body may
begin with some background information and should incorporate a discussion of both sides of the issue.
The conclusion should summarize the main concepts and ideas and reinforce, without repeating, the
introduction or
body of the paper. It could include suggested courses of action and possible solutions.
4
1 Tucker, Kerry, & Derelian, Doris, Rouner, Donna. (1997). Building the case: Position papers,