This document provides guidance on writing an effective position paper. It explains that a position paper aims to take a side on a controversial issue and persuade others to agree with that side. It recommends choosing a topic you care about where reasonable arguments can be made on both sides. Key sections of a position paper are outlined as the introduction, body, and conclusion. The body should make well-evidenced arguments in support of the thesis and acknowledge alternative views. Thorough research of facts, opinions, testimony and acknowledgement of counterarguments can help strengthen a position paper.

1. Position
Paper

2. Position
Paper
Presents an opinion
and make a claim
or stand about an
issue
A stand supported
by arguments and
evidence
Expresses a position,
conclusion, or
recommendation
concerning a
contested issue or
undecided question
The purpose is to
generate support
on an issue

3. Goals of a Position Paper
•To declare a “position” on a
certain matter or issue
•Convince or persuade
others to take that side of
an issue or matter

4. ISSUE CRITERIA
To take a side on a
subject, you should
first establish the
arguability of a topic
that interests you

5. We can use the following questions to
ensure that we will be able to present a
strong argument:
•Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and
certainty?
•Can you distinctly identify two positions?
•Are you personally interested in advocating
one of these positions?
•Is the issue narrow enough to be manageable?

6. 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.

7. STEPS IN
WRITING A
POSITION PAPER

8. 1. Choose a topic close to
your heart
- If you’re choosing your own
topic, consider topics that
are relevant to your industry
or your academic interests.

9. 2.Conduct a preliminary
research on the chosen topic
-When you begin
researching, ensure that
there is enough data
available supporting the topic
you choose.

10. 3. Do a pre-writing exercise
-After you’ve gathered
research and taken notes on
your sources, you can use a
graphic organizer or other tool
to sort the information that
you’ve collected.

11. 4. Draft a thesis
-Once you’ve decided on your
position, use your research
notes to create a thesis
statement, which is a sentence
that states your opinion and
summarizes your key
supporting evidence.

12. 5. Create an outline
-Using your thesis statement
and notes, create an outline of
your argument.
Common sections of a Position Paper
•Introduction
•Body
•Conclusion

13. 6. Write a draft of your
paper
-Create a draft of your position
paper by following the outline
and filling it in with research
and content.

14. 7. Review and create the
final draft
-Review your draft and make
spelling and grammar
corrections to create a final
draft of your position paper.

15. Common
sections of a
Position Paper

16. •Introduction
A. Introduce the topic
B. Provide background on the topic to
explain why it is important
C. Assert the thesis (your viewpoint of
the issue)

17. •Body
-This section contains your arguments or
claims with supporting evidence. Shorter
position papers often have three body
paragraphs, while longer ones might have
multiple sections with several paragraphs
each.

18. A. General statement of your position
-It describes one side of an arguable
viewpoint.

19. B. Strong Arguments and Evidence in
Support of the Thesis
-Make your arguments in support of
your thesis by providing several strong
arguments that are developed using
sound, credible evidence.

20. • Facts –are statements that can be
definitely proven using objective data
• Opinions- are personal views, or
judgements
• Judgement – These are assumptions that
the writer makes about his/her subject after
carefully considering the facts.
• Testimony- final type of evidence using in
writing a convincing argument

21. Two types of Testimony:
1. Eyewitness
2. Judgement of the expert

22. C. Acknowledging Opposing Ideas
and Limits to Your Position
In your position paper, you will be
arguing in support of your position and
trying to convince your reader that
your position is valid and should be
considered.

23. In order to do this effectively, you must be:
1. Sure to acknowledge opposing ideas.
2. Avoiding ideas that conflict with your own can
give the reader the impression that you may be
uncertain, fearful, or unaware of opposing ideas.
3. Ordering your positive arguments last.

24. 4. You may have counterarguments to specific
points you are arguing.
5. Present your best arguments in support of your
position and then, in a paragraph before the
conclusion, you present and refute a
counterargument to your main idea.

25. Remember:
You need to conduct thorough research
and have enough facts to back up your
claims. However, don’t forget to
address both sides of the argument.
It shows the reader that you were not
biased in your considerations and,
ultimately, gives you a better shot at
convincing them.

26. •Conclusion
-restating the key points and,
where applicable,suggesting
resolutions to the issue.

27. Key Takeaways
• The purpose of a position paper is to convince or
move readers toward a certain point of view or
opinion.
The position paper will contain arguments that are
well-reasoned and supported by evidence.
• A thesis that expresses the opinion of the writer in
more specific terms is better than one that is vague.
• It is essential that you not only address
counterarguments but also do so respectfully.

28. • To persuade a skeptical audience, you will need to
have several arguments and use a wide range of
evidence to support them. Scientific studies, opinions
from experts, historical precedent, statistics, and
current events are all types of evidence that you
might use in explaining your points.
• Facts are statements that can be proven using
objective data.
• Opinions are personal views, or judgments, that
cannot be proven.
In writing, you want to strike a balance between
credible facts and authoritative opinions.

29. Thank
you!