Writing a position paper

• Position paper - type of academic writing that presents one stand or viewpoint on the particular issue
• the main objective is to take part on a larger debate by stating your arguments and propose course of action
• Parts of Position paper

  • introduction
  • body
  • conclusion
• INTRODUCTION

  • write the specific issue together with its importance and effect to the society
  • uses a lead that grabs the attention of readers
  • define the issue and provide a thorough background
  • provides a general statement of your position through a thesis statement
  • end the introductory paragraph with a position statement or stand on the issue
• BODY

  • it may begin with a short background information or a discussion of arguments on both sides of the issue
  • state your main arguments and provide sufficient evidence
  • the evidences that can be used are the primary source quotation, interviews and field experts, recommendation from scholarly articles
  • provides counterarguments against possible weaknesses of your arguments
• CONCLUSION

  • summarize and reinforce the concepts and facts presented without repeating the introduction and its content
  • explains why your position paper is better than any other positions
  • ends with a powerful closing statement
• Choosing an issue

  1. should be debatable
  2. should be current and relevant
  3. should be written in a question form and answerable by yes or no
  4. should be specific and manageable
• guidelines in writing a position paper

  • begin the writing process with in depth research about the topic at hand
  • be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain and analyze them objectively
  • reflect on your position paper and identify its weaknesses
  • establish your credibility by citing reliable sources
  • present a unique way of approaching the issue
  • limit your position paper to two pages
  • analyze your target readers and align your arguments to their beliefs, needs and interest
• guidelines in writing a position paper

  • summarize the other sides counterarguments and refute them with evidence
  • define unfamiliar terms at first mention
  • use an active voice as much as possible
  • arrange your evidence logically using inductive or deductive approach
  • check your paper for fallacies and revise accordingly
  • use ethical, logical and emotional appeals
• ethical appeals - relate to your credibility and competence as a writer
• logical appeals - refers to the rational approach in developing an argument
• emotional appeals - pertain to feelings evoked during arguments