WRITING A POSITION PAPER
 Step #1: Decide your position on the
assigned issue/question. Write that position
here.
 Step #2: Plan an introduction that gives a
bit of background and states your position
in a clear thesis. Write ideas for your
introduction here. Remember, you want
your introduction to grab the reader’s
attention and to state your position clearly
 Step #3: List three strong and clear
ARGUMENTS that support your position.
List them as clearly as possible.
 Step #4: Each of the three arguments needs
to have EVIDENCE that supports it. You
have to support what you say with
information, data, moral principles, etc. List
at least 2 solid pieces of evidence For EACH
argument in Step #3. These should support
or help explain the argument. Be sure to
cite information and/or the ideas of others.
Start here and continue on back of this
sheet.
 Step #5: To be sure that you know the
“other side” of your position, list at least
two clear counter-arguments to your
position. For each counter-argument, give
at least one piece of evidence that supports
it. You don’t have to agree with these!!!!
 Step #6: Plan your conclusion. A powerful
conclusion re-states and summarizes your
position and arguments on the
question/issue at hand. It ALSO should
include a call to action, an emotional
appeal, or some other technique for driving
home your position.
PARTS OF A POSITION PAPER
Introduction
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.
Body
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.
Conclusion
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.
Argumentative vs Expository Thesis
Statements
 Both argumentative and expository
writing relay information to the reader,
but they differ in the way they deliver
this information and apply the writer’s
opinions.
 An expository thesis statement does
not include a sharp opinion; rather, it
discusses advantages, disadvantages,
types, reasons, results, problems,
solutions, processes, or categories of an
issue often in the form of listing,
 enumeration, classification, or
sequencing.
 An argumentative thesis statement, on
the other hand, has a clear stance on a
debatable topic, fiercely argues that the
writer’s opinion is correct and reflects
this subjectivity both in its style and
tone.
EXPOSITORY WRITING
 In expository writing, one usually
focuses the discussion on what things
are, the way a character changes, what
something includes, or how something
works. Hence, there is nothing
debatable.
Argumentative Writing
 In an argumentative writing, what really
matters is one’s opinion which is the
basis of the claim. The argument comes
from how well the writer can support a
claim on a topic that has two
reasonable, debatable sides.
EXAMPLES:
 The lack of privacy online is harmful to
kids because it prevents them from
being true to themselves as individuals.
(Argumentative)
 The life of a typical college students is
characterized by time spent studying,
attending class, and socializing with
peers. (Expository)
 High schools should include the fine
arts in their curriculum to stimulate
students’ cognitive developments,
allow them an outlet for creative
expression, and improve their
appreciation of artistic creations of
various types. (Argumentative)
KINDS OF SUPPORTING EVIDENCES
 Supporting evidence includes the
following:
 · Factual Knowledge - Information that
is verifiable and agreed upon by almost
everyone.
 · Statistical Inferences - Interpretation
and examples of an accumulation of
facts.
 · Informed Opinion - Opinion developed
through research and/or expertise of
the claim.
 · Personal Testimony - Personal
experience related by a knowledgeable
party.
Basic Tips on Writing a Position Paper
A. Be organized. Each paragraph should
have one main point that is supported
by facts.
B. Keep it simple. Write with
uncomplicated sentences and maintain
an overall structure to make the paper
accessible and easy to convert into a
speech. This will ensure that delegates
communicate effectively when tackling
complex issues. Delegates will find that
diplomatic language can be used to
express their countries’ position in a
straightforward, favorable and
respectful way.
C. Cite sources. Papers should include
both in-text citations and a References
page, cited in proper APA format.
D. Edit. Leave plenty of time to review
position papers, and ask a teacher or
fellow delegate to edit as well.