WRITING A

POSITION PAPER
OBJECTIVE:
To know and analyze
the following major
parts of how to
produce a position
paper ( sometimes
called a point of view
paper).
What is a position paper?

• Basically, this is an essay that

expresses your country’s
position or your objective
position on your topic and
proposes solutions and
recommendations for the future.
• It has a very specific structure
that you must follow. We will
help you with this, but you must
take responsibility for producing
good writing!
 ØPosition paper presents one side of
an arguable opinion about an issue.
ØThe goal of a position paper is to
convince the audience that your
opinion is valid and defensible .
ØIdeas that you are considering need
What is a to be carefully examined in choosing
POSITION a topic , developing your argument ,
PAPER? and organizing your paper.
Ø It is important to support your
argument with evidence to ensure
the validity of your claims, as well as
to refute the counter claims to show
you are well informed about both
sides.
In order to begin writing your
position paper, you MUST:
• Have all the necessary
research on your
country and topic
• Have specific and
focused research
questions
• Continue looking for useful
information and good
sources
• FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!
Structure of a Position Paper

I. Introduction (1 paragraph)
II. Body (3 paragraphs)
III. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Tips for writing • Use simple language.
a good • Give each separate idea
position its own paragraph.
paper • Make sure each paragraph starts
with a topic sentence.
• Constantly proofread for
mistakes!
• Cite your sources.
WHAT
SHOULD I
DO?
 Type Of Type Of Sources How To Find These
Information Sources
Analyzing an Issue
and Development an Introductory Directories, Use the library
Argument information and encyclopedias, catalogue
overviews handbooks
When you already have a topic , you in-depth studies Books, Library catalogue,
should do some research on the government Research indexes,
subject matter.
government web sites
While you may already have an
opinion on your topic and an idea
about which side of the argument you Scholarly Academic Article indexes
want to take, you need to ensure Articles journals
that your position is well supported.
Listing the pro and con sides of the Current Issue Newspaper, Article indexes
topic will help you examine your magazines
ability to support your counterclaims,
along with a list of supporting Statistics Government Statistics, Research
evidence for both sides.
agencies and indexes, journal
associations articles
Position papers Association and Library catalogue, web
and analyses institute reports sites
Considering your audience and determine your view
point

– Is your topic interesting ? Remember that

originality counts.
– Does your topic assert something specific, prove it,
and where applicable, purpose a plan of action?
– Do you have enough material or proof to support
your opinion?
Organization
What do I need to know?
How to make an:
Introduction
Counter argument
Your argument
 Outline – Your introduction has a dual purpose: to
indicate both the topic and your
1. Introduction approach to it (your thesis statement),
A. Introduce the and to arouse your reader’s interest in
topic what you have to say. One effective way
B. Provide
of introducing a topic is to place it in
background on the context – to supply a kind of backdrop
topic to explain why that will put it in perspective. You should
it is important discuss the area into which your topic
C. Assert the thesis
fits, and then gradually lead into your
(our view of issue). specific field of discussion (re: your
thesis statement).
2. Counter Argument
A. Summarize the – You can generate counterarguments
counterclaims by asking yourself what someone who
disagrees with you might say about
each of the points you've made or
B. Provide supporting about your position as a whole. Once
information for you have thought up some
counterclaims counterarguments, consider how you
will respond to them--will you concede
C. Refute the that your opponent has a point but
counterclaims explain why your audience should
nonetheless accept your argument?
D. Give evidence for
Will you reject the counterargument
and explain why it is mistaken? Either
argument way, you will want to leave your reader
with a sense that your argument is
stronger than opposing arguments.
3. Your Argument
A. Assert point #1 of your
claims
Give your educated and
informed
opinion Provide
support/proof using more than
one source (preferably three)
B.
Assert point #2 of your claims
Give your educated and
informed opinion
– You may have more than 3 overall points to
Provide support/proof using your argument, but you should not have
more than one source (preferably
three)
fewer.
C.
Assert point #3 of your claims
Give your educated and
informed opinion
Provide support/proof using
more than one source (preferably
three)
4. Conclusion
A. Restate your
argument

B. Provide a plan – The simplest and most basic conclusion is one

of action but do that restates the thesis in different words and
then discusses its implications.
not introduce
new information
 – 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
Stating Your it into a sentence. Look back over your materials--
brainstorms, investigative notes, etc.--and think
Thesis 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.
 – 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
The result – Or if your investigations led you to a different
should look belief:
something – Thesis: Communication majors at this University
receive a solid background in theories of media
like this: 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.
 – 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
Writing with your paper but if you cannot effectively
style and communicate them, you will not receive a very
good mark.
clarity
– Keep the following in mind when writing your
paper:
DICTION, PARAGRAPHS, TRANSITIONS,
GRAMMAR AND SPELLING.
 – 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
DICTION 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.
 – 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
Paragraphs 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/p
aragraphs.html
Transitions

LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION

Similarity also, in the same way, likewise, similarly

Exception/Contrast but, however, in spite of, on the other hand
Sequence/Order first, second, third, ... next, then, finally
Time after, second, third, …. next, then, finally
Example for example, for instance, namely, specifically
Emphasis even , indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here
Cause and Effect accordingly, consequently, hence
Addition Support or additionally, again, also, as well, besides
Evidence
Conclusion/Summary finally, in a word, in abrief, in conclusion, in the end
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.
 – 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

Sources – 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
THE END!
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