What is a Position Paper and how to write it

A position paper is an essay that presents an opinion about an issue (typically that of the author or another specified entity).

Position papers are published in academia, in politics, in law and other domains.

Source Wikipedia

Typically the position paper is a document drawn up by large organizations or states regarding a specific topic.

It is largely used in international contexts (such as UN or EU), and it represents a position taken with respect to a specific topic and its possible solutions.

The document:

Provides, in short, a description of the subject that you want to discuss;

It contains an indication of the interest and politics followed by your group;

It should contain a clear statement position on the subject you want to discuss;

It should suggest a plan of action or at least a series of proposals on the subject in question.

Format

1) Heading. The beginning of a oosition paper should state the following items:

The members of the group;

The place where the group operates ( country, city...);

The problem/issue addressed

2) Length:Althought they can variete a lot (in particular the academic ones), the average length of this type of document is 1 to 2 pages (A4, normal Font Type & Size, single line spacing).

3) PersonThe position paper does not represent the position of the individual but of the entire group, so it is helpful to write in third person (for example: Algeria suggests Germany proposes..., IEEE Foundation state...)

1) Heading. The beginning of a oosition paper should state the following items:

The members of the group;

The place where the group operates ( country, city...);

The problem/issue addressed

2) Length:Althought they can variete a lot (especially in the academic field), the average length of this type of document is 1 to 2 pages (A4, normal Font Type & Size, single line spacing); the length of academic position papers can radically variate.

3) PersonThe position paper does not represent the position of the individual but of the entire group, so it is helpful to write in third person (for example: Algeria suggests Germany proposes..., IEEE Foundation state...)

Goal

Like in a debate, the main objective of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion on the topic being presented is valid and defensible.

In order to achieve such a goal, you must:

Carefully evaluate the ideas that you want to insert and the topic that you want to take into consideration;

Ensure that you are addressing all sides of the topic (for example, listing the pro and con sides of the topic will help you examine your ability to support your counterclaims);

Take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic being presented

Bring evidences to support your statement, to ensure the validity of your claims;

Present it in a manner that is easy (and almost immediate) for your audience to understand thesubject matter and your point of view;

Prepare yourself to refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides.

Issue Criteria

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

Ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you will be able to present a strong argument:

Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and uncertainty?

Can you identify at least two distinctive positions?

Are you personally interested in advocating one of these positions?

Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be manageable?

Structure

Althought the position paper has not a defined structure (eg.: structured essay, collection of notes and bullet points are accepted forms), the document is typically divided in two sections + conclusions:

The first one (introduction) concerns what has already been done about the topic you want to discuss;

The second one (thesis) describe what is the position of the writer/group, and what contribution it brings;

Conclusion should summarize the main concepts and ideas and reinforce, without repeating, the introduction or thesis of the paper. It is strongly advised to include suggested courses of action and possible solutions.

Useful Questions to write Section One

Why is this issue relevant (*)?

What is the scope of the problem (*)?

Which resolutions have been passed so far?

Which conferences have been held?

What is planned for the future?

(*) Options could be naming statistics, mentioning the current developments concerning the issue under discussino, and/or relevant actions/projects realize din the field by players/organizations of undisputed reputation.

Useful Questions to write Section Two

What is the policy of the group who writes ?

What issues are important to the group that writes ?

What actions have already been initiated by the group that writes ?

What are the possible solutions to the problems of the sector in which we work / study / act ?

What solutions the group/organization seeks to accomplish ?

Stating Your Thesis

A thesis is a one-sentence statement about your topic. It's an assertion about your topic, something you claim to be true.

A topic alone makes no such claim.

To make your topic into a thesis statement:

Look back over your materials and think about what you believe to be true.

Think about what your readers want or need to know.

Then write a sentence, preferably at this point, a simple one, stating what will be the central idea of your paper

Example

Original Subject: an important issue in my major field Focused Topic: media technology education for communication majors Thesis: Theories of media technology deserve a more prominent place in this Universitys Communication program

Wrap-up

1. Select a topic;2. Do some research on the subject matter to ensure that your position is well supported.3. List the pro and con sides of the topic: it will help you examine your ability to support your counterclaims4. List supporting evidence for both sides. (Type of information can include: introductory information and overviews; in-depth studies; scholarly articles; current issues; statistics, position papers and analysis. Type of source can include:directories, encyclopedias, handbooks; books, government reports; academic journals; government agencies and associations; association and institute reports);5. Analyze it: once you have made your pro and con lists, compare the information side by side;6. Narrow the topic to something that is manageable and develop your argument;7. Choose your position considering the audience and your point of view you:8. Choose the terms you should explain, the background information you should supply, and the details you need to convince your audience;9. Organize the text structure choosing an outline;10. State your thesis

Further Recommandations

For greater clarity, divide the text into paragraphs: each paragraph must develop a single idea; the order of the paragraphs should have a logical sequence.

Use sharply transitions to establish logical connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your papers: they function as signs for readers that tell them how to think about, organize, and react to old and new ideas as they read through the text.

When you present your topic, place it in context: you will have more chance to arise the interest of your audiende

When you are summarizing opposing arguments, present it fairly and objectively, rather than trying to make it look foolish. It is usually better to consider one or two serious counterarguments in some depth, rather than to give a long but superficial list..

Consider feasibility, cost-effectiveness and political/social climate when evaluating possible solutions and courses of action

Resist the temptation to use big words, fancy jargon or other techniques that will make your position paper hard to read. Just write clearly and remember your audience.

Remember that you do not need to change your own position to suit your audience. You should choose your own position or viewpoint, just keep in mind the way your audience things or reasons as you being to write the paper.

The text must be free of grammatical and lexical inconsistencies, is that logic, timing errors.

Avoid plagarism and fully credit your sources!

References

This document is composed by using the followowing sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_paper

http://www.rimun.net/#!policystatements/c1bgl

http://www.anue.org/cmun/cmun_position_paper_guidelines.pdf

http://www.xavier.edu/library/students/documents/position_paper.pdf

http://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm

http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-to-participate/model-un-preparation/position-papers

http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr9.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Position-Paper

http://www.highland.k12.ia.us/pages/uploaded_files/PositionPaperOutlineYes.pdf