Writing a Position Paper
Writing a Position Paper
A position paper (also called a point of view paper) is an essay that presents the author’s opinion about an issue.
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. Ideas that you are considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and organizing your paper. It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic being presented. It is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims, as well as to refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides.
Organization - Sample Outline for a position paper
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the topic
B. Provide background on the topic to explain why it is important
C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue) - Thesis statement -.
II. Counter Argument
A. Summarize the counterclaims
B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims
C. Refute the counterclaims
D. Give evidence for argument
III. Your Argument
A. Assert point #1 of your claims 1. Give your opinion 2. Provide support
B. Assert point #2 of your claims 1. Give your opinion 2. Provide support
C. Assert point #3 of your claims 1. Give your opinion 2. Provide support
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your argument
B. Provide a plan of action but do not introduce new information
I. Introduction Your introduction has a dual purpose: to indicate both the topic and your approach to it (your thesis statement), and to arouse your reader’s interest in what you have to say. One effective way of introducing a topic is to place it in context –
A position paper (also called a point of view paper) is an essay that presents the author’s opinion about an issue.
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. Ideas that you are considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and organizing your paper. It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic being presented. It is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims, as well as to refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides.
Organization - Sample Outline for a position paper
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the topic
B. Provide background on the topic to explain why it is important
C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue) - Thesis statement -.
II. Counter Argument
A. Summarize the counterclaims
B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims
C. Refute the counterclaims
D. Give evidence for argument
III. Your Argument
A. Assert point #1 of your claims 1. Give your opinion 2. Provide support
B. Assert point #2 of your claims 1. Give your opinion 2. Provide support
C. Assert point #3 of your claims 1. Give your opinion 2. Provide support
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate your argument
B. Provide a plan of action but do not introduce new information
I. Introduction Your introduction has a dual purpose: to indicate both the topic and your approach to it (your thesis statement), and to arouse your reader’s interest in what you have to say. One effective way of introducing a topic is to place it in context –