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POSITION PAPER
The position paper aims to generate support on an issue. It

describes the authors’ or organization’s position on an issue and the
rationale for that position. It is based on facts that provide a solid
foundation for the authors’ argument.
In the position paper the authors should use evidence to support
position, such as statistical evidence or indisputable dates and
events; validate position with authoritative references or primary
source quotations; examine the strengths and weaknesses of the
position; and evaluate possible solutions and suggest courses of
action.
Guidelines in Writing a Position Paper
A Clear Introduction
The paper should begin with introductory paragraphs that introduce your readers to the
problem or question you are addressing, lay out the thesis statement or main position, and
provide readers with a “roadmap” on how you will defend your thesis. In the introduction,
you may likewise present a general background information or provide your own motivation
for writing.
The Clever Hook.
The introduction should start with statements written in a way that catches your
readers’ attention. This part will not only identify the subject of the paper but it will likewise
make the readers want to learn more about the subject.
The Identified Issue.
The third part of the introduction should show the main issue of the paper. Here you
give the highlight and interpretation of facts.
The Authors’ Position.
The introduction should end with a solid thesis statement that expresses
your position on the topic. The thesis statement essentially serves as a mini-
outline for the paper. It helps you to assert or articulate your ideas and helps
readers understand the purpose of the paper.
A Well-organized Body
The body of the paper follows the introduction. It is the nerve center of the
paper where you develop your thesis and defend it with detailed evidences.
The structure of the body should follow the roadmap that you have provided
in the introduction. It must be structured logically so that each point and
paragraph flows from the preceding one.
Always Remember:
In writing the body, you should take into consideration the main defenses
that you need to make in order to substantiate your thesis and should think
about what order makes the most sense, how does each proposition relate to
the next, and their relationship to the main thesis.
Frequently, the last section of the body of the paper considers alternative
explanations or counter-arguments to yours which you present and then argue
against in further defense of your thesis. This is not always necessary, but in
position paper, it is often a good way to defend your thesis from others’ best
counter-arguments.
After providing a brief introduction of your organization or country and its history
concerning the topic, present the following typical contents of a good position paper:
• the issue and how it affects your organization or country;
• your country’s/organization’s policies with respect to the issue and your
• organization’s/country’s justification for these policies;
• statistics to back up your organization’s/country’s position on the issue;
• actions taken by your organization/government with regard to the issue;
• reputable international, regional and/or national agencies’ actions that your
organization/country supported or opposed;
• what your organization/country believes should be done to address the issue;
• what your organization/country would like to accomplish in the committee’s resolution;
• how the positions of other organizations/countries affect your organization’s/country’s
position; and
• your best alternative explanations or counter-arguments.
A Strong Conclusion.
The last component of the paper is the conclusion. Here, you should
restate the main ideas; summarize the main concepts or key arguments of
the paper and reinforce it without repeating or rewording the introduction or
body of the paper; draw a conclusion based on the information; and include
suggested courses of action and possible solutions or recommendations.

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POSITION PAPER

The position paper aims to generate support on an issue. It

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