English for Academic and Professional Purposes

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2020
Writing a Position Paper and
Defending a Stance on an
Issue

3. A position paper is one where an author chooses a side on a particular topic and build up a
case for your opinion or position. Building up your case will entail the use of facts and statistics
to convince the readers that the author’s position on the matter is the best one (Fleming, 2018).
As defined by Merriam-Webster, a position paper is a detailed report that recommends a
course of action on a particular issue.
A position paper presents an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal of a position paper is
to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and worth listening to. Ideas that you are
considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and
organizing your paper
(https://www.cs.rutgers.edu/~rmartin/teaching/fall17/Writing_a_Position_Paper.pdf)

4. The best way to defend your stand is to
provide supporting evidence.

5. Factual Knowledge
information that is verifiable and
agreed upon by almost everyone
Source: https://www.cs.rutgers.edu/~rmartin/teaching/fall17/Writing_a_Position_Paper.pdf

6. Statistical Inference
interpretation and examples of an
accumulation of facts.

7. Informed Opinion
opinion developed through
research and/or expertise of the
claim

8. Personal Testimony
personal experience related by a
knowledgeable party.

10. POSITION PAPER OUTLINE
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the issue.
B. Provide background on the issue.
C. Provide thesis statement on your stand of the issue.
II. Body (the arguments/reasons)
A. Argument #1 of your claims
1. Give your opinion
2. Provide supporting evidence
B. Argument #2 of your claims
1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide support evidence.
C. Argument #3 of your claims
1. Give your opinion.
2. Provide support evidence.
D. Provide counterarguments against possible weaknesses of your arguments.
III. Conclusion
A. Restate your argument.
B. Provide a plan of action.

11. A FEW REMINDERS BEFORE WRITING A POSITION PAPER!
Choose an issue that is debatable, current and relevant.
Conduct an in-depth research on the issue.
Explain the issue and analyze it objectively.
Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
Cite valid and reliable source.
Limit your position paper to 2 pages.
Analyze your target audience and align your arguments to their beliefs, needs,
interest and motivation.
Use active voice as much as possible to achieve a dynamic and firm tone.