POSITION PAPER

 Like a debate, a position paper presents one side of an

arguable opinion about an issue.
 The goal of a position paper is to convince the
audience that your opinion is valid and defensible.
 An author who writes a position paper is making an
argument which has to be built upon evidence.
 The structure used to do this is very similar to that
used when writing a critical essay.
Purpose
 The purpose of a position paper is to generate
support on an issue.
 It describes the author’s position on an issue and the
rational for that position. In the same way to that, a
research paper incorporates supportive evidence that
is based on facts and provide a solid foundation for the
author’s argument.
 It is a critical examination of a position using facts and
inductive reasoning, which addresses both strengths
and weaknesses of the author’s opinion.
 THESIS STATEMENT:
 A thesis statement is one sentence that express
the main idea of a research paper or essay.It
claim, directly answering a question.
 A thesis statement must be specific,
summarizing points that are about to be made
in your paper, and supported by specific
evidence.
 Thesis statement can be last line of the first
paragraph in your research paper or essay.
EXAMPLE:
BAD: Everyone should exercise.
GOOD: Filipinos should add exercise to their daily
morning routine because it not only keeps their bodies
at a healthy weight but also reduces the risk of high
blood pressure.
BAD: The internet has improved the lives of many.
GOOD: The internet serves as a means of expediently
connecting people across the globe, fostering new
friendships and an exchange of ideas that wouldn’t
have occurred prior to its inception.
 Bad: Organ donors should be financially
compensated.
- Why? What happens to them that causes you to
take this stance?
Good: Given the grueling surgery and
lifelong changes they endure, kidney donors
should be financially compensated for their
act of self-sacrifice.
- There are many forms of living organ donation.
As with any good thesis, you want to get as
specific as possible. Now, our stance is clear and
the reader will understand that we're about to
describe the grueling process of kidney donation
as well as any forthcoming lifestyle changes.
Elements of the Position Paper
The classic position paper contains
three main elements:
1. Introduction
Identifies the issue that will
be discussed and states the
author’s position on that issue.
Committee: Commission on Human Rights
Topic: Violence against Women
Country: The Kingdom of Denmark
Delegate: William Hayward Wilson, Shea University
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “no
one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment.” Although this doctrine
was adopted in 1948, the world has fallen quite short of this
goal. Violence against women pervades all states and it is the
duty of the international community to ensure that all
persons are afforded equality and respect. Despite
cooperative efforts at combating gross human rights abuses,
such as the adoption of the Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence against Women, the United Nations has not been
able to alleviate the injustice women worldwide experience
daily.
Elements of the Position Paper
2. Body
Contains the central argument and
can be further broken up into three unique
sections:
 Background information
 A discussion of both sides of the issue,
which addresses and refutes arguments
that contradict the author’s position.
 Evidence supporting the author’s position
 The Kingdom of Denmark
believes that in order to end violence
against women, nations must look to
empower women in all aspects of
society. This includes promoting equal
gender roles in government, civil
society, education and business.
However, Denmark also recognizes the
need to combat human rights abuses
against women as they occur, and no
nation is immune to gender violence.
 In 2002, the Danish Government
launched an extensive action plan to
combat domestic violence against women.
The plan includes measures to help treat
abused women, identify and prosecute the
perpetrators, and incorporate professional
medical and psychological staff into the
rehabilitation process. The action plan
currently reaches out to both
governmental and nongovernmental
groups on the local level throughout the
nation.
 The Danish Centre for Human Rights in
Copenhagen, Denmark’s foremost national human
rights institution also promotes and protects
human rights. Based on the Centre’s research,
Denmark’s parliament can promote human rights-
based legislation and education/awareness
programs throughout the nation. The Centre also
addresses the UN Commission on Human Rights
annually regarding human rights developments in
Denmark and internationally. Denmark has no
record of committing major human rights
violations, most importantly any targeted at
women. In its 2003 Annual Report, Amnesty
International also found no human rights violations
against Danish women.
Elements of the Position Paper
3. Conclusion
Restating the key
points and, where
applicable, suggesting
resolutions to the
issue.
 Women are invaluable to Denmark’s society
and have achieved significant economic and social
gains in the 20th century. Currently, 75 percent of
medical students in Denmark are women. Denmark is
confident that this Commission can bring about an end
to violence against women without compromising the
sovereignty of member states. Education remains
perhaps the most useful tool in protecting victims of
gender-based violence. Governments, UN agencies,
and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can plan
a coordinated campaign that educates national
populations on the various ways women are violently
targeted. Similarly, harmful traditions, such as honor
killings and female genital mutilation, must be stopped
by reforming traditional views of women in society.
Children of both sexes need to be taught at an early age
to value the rights of women in order to prevent such
violence in their generation.
 Another way to stop gender violence
would be to reproach member states that
consistently violate treaties such as the
Convention on Political Rights of Women
(1952), the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(1979), and the Declaration on the
Elimination of Violence against Women
(1993). Although this Committee cannot
impose sanctions, it can pass resolutions
verbally condemning states that commit
human rights violations. The UN High
Commissioner for Human
COMPONENTS OF A POSITION
PAPER
 • It must be persuasive.
 • It should assert an arguable claim.
 • It must explain both sides of the
argument or the controversy.
 • It must contain reasoning and
evidence to support the claim.
 • It should have a reasonable tone.
Position Paper Format
Position Paper Format
 • Choose the font size 12
 • Use Times New Roman font
 • Use a single inch margin
 • Keep the entire text single spaced
 • Write in paragraph form
 • Write maximum one page per topic
 • AVOID including graphs, maps, pictures, and
charts. You can add statistics to the format (if
applicable).
How To Write A Position Paper
Outline?
• Pick a topic – When you pick your position
paper topic, make sure that it has many sides. If
your topic is challenged, it must hold up a
position.

Therefore, before you select your topic, make

sure that you do thorough research. Pick the one
that you can defend. You can choose a simple or
complex topic as per your wish, but make sure
that your argument must be logical in sound.

Note: The topic must be controversial with two

sides that can be argued upon.
Conduct the research –
NOTE:
Doing effective research is mandatory to determine
whether there is enough evidence available to position
your argument. For that, you need to understand your
position paper topic and defend it.

It is vital to consider the background information and the

reasons behind each side. Make sure that you develop
supporting evidence for both sides.

Note: Even after hours of research, if you find that

there is limited information on your chosen topic,
pick another topic.
TOPIC:
SCHOOL UNIFORM

ARGUABLE VIEWPOINTS:

FOR OR AGAINST SCHOOL

UNIFORM
• Collect supporting evidence –
Once you are clear about your
topic, collect supporting evidence.
Based on your findings, write down the
reasons why you are considering taking
(for and against). Look at both sides of
the topic. Choose a position that can be
easily defended based on the evidence
that you have collected.
VIEWPOINT:
FOR SCHOOL UNIFORM:
SAVES MONEY
ENSURE EQUALITY

AGAINST SCHOOL UNIFORM:

EXPENSIVE TO BUY
ELIMINATE FREE EXPRESSION

SUPPORTING REASONS:
FOR SCHOOL UNIFORM:
ENSURE EQUALITY
AGAINST SCHOOL UNIFORM:
ELIMINATE FREE EXPRESSION
State the thesis statement –
The first thing that you need
to do once you gather your
supporting evidence is to write the
thesis statement. There are many
ways to write a thesis statement for
the position paper. One possible
approach could be including both
sides of the argument.
 THESIS STATEMENTS
FOR SCHOOL UNIFORM:
A uniform policy ensures true
equality and saves enough money.

AGAINST SCHOOL UNIFORM:

A uniform policy can eliminate
one’s free expression and can be too
expensive to buy.
• Write the introduction – Use the
introduction to inform your readers about
your point of view. It mainly has two
primary goals. One is to identify the issue
and the other to state your assertion.
Begin your introduction with a strong
hook – include everything that will grab
your reader’s attention. Keep in mind that
you are writing a research-based paper.
Therefore, make sure to write it in the
third person.
• Write the Body paragraph – The
body of your position paper must
consist of a minimum of three body
paragraphs. Depending on your
paper’s length, you might decide to
add more content.
Make sure that each paragraph
states the main argument to
support your position.
• Conclude your position
paper – Write a strong
conclusion that restates your
position. Stress the importance
of your thesis.
Sum up your argument on a
high note.