TABLE OF CONTENTS

Position Paper Overview ……………………………………………………..…….………..…....2

What is a Position Paper ……………………………………………………….….……...2
Where can Position Paper be used …………………………………………..……….…...2
Writing a Position Paper ………………………………………………..………………………...3
Tips in writing a Position Paper ………………..……………….……………….…….….3
Steps in Writing a Position Paper ……………………………………...………........……3
Things to consider when writing a Position Paper …………………………….………….4
Sample Position Paper ……………………………………………………………………………6
References ………………………………………………………………………………...………9

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 POSITION PAPER OVERVIEW

What is a 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.
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.

Where can Position Paper be used?

A Position Paper is a kind of academic writing in which a person researches a controversial
issue and writes a paper that explains his/her stand or viewpoint on it. Real world examples
include ethical dilemmas involving existing or soon-to-be formulated company policy and
arguments for/or against legislation that may affect business. Here are other examples where
Position paper can be used.
 In Academia
Position papers in academia enable discussion on emerging topics without the
experimentation and original research normally present in an academic paper. Commonly, such a
document will substantiate the opinions or positions put forward with evidence from an
extensive objective discussion of the topic.
 In Politics
Position papers are most useful in contexts where detailed comprehension of another entity's
views is important; as such, they are commonly used by political campaigns, government
organizations, in the diplomatic world, and in efforts to change values and organizational
branding. 
 In Law
In international law, the term for a position paper is Aide-mémoire. An Aide-Mémoire is
memorandum setting forth the minor points of a proposed discussion or disagreement, used
especially in undiplomatic communications.

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 WRITING A POSITION PAPER

Tips in writing a position paper

 Keep it simple. To communicate strongly and effectively, avoid flowery wording and
stick to uncomplicated language and sentence structure.
 Make it realistic. The more realistic it looks, the more others will want to read it.
 Get organized. Give each separate idea or proposal its own paragraph. Make sure each
paragraph starts with a topic sentence.
 Cite your sources. Use footnotes or endnotes to show where you found your facts and
statistics.
 Read and reread. Leave time to edit your position paper. Ask yourself if the organization
of the paper makes sense and double-check your spelling and grammar.
 A good position paper makes a great introductory speech. During debate, a good position
paper will also help you to stick to your country's policies.
 For speechmaking, create a bulleted list of your proposals along with your most
important facts and statistics so that you will not lose time looking for them during
debate.

Steps in Writing a Position Paper

In a position paper assignment, your charge is to choose a side on a
particular controversial topic and build up a case for your opinion or position. Once you state
your position, you will use facts, opinion, statistics and other forms of evidence to convince your
reader that your position is the best one. Here are some of the steps in writing an effective
position paper.
 Select a Topic for your paper
Your position paper is going to center around a personal belief that is supported by research,
so you should select a topic that interests you. Ask yourself the following questions to ensure
that you will be able to present a strong argument:
1. Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and uncertainty?
2. Can you identify at least two distinctive positions?
3. Are you personally interested in advocating one of these positions?
4. Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be manageable?
 Conduct preliminary research
Once your topic is selected, you should do some research on the subject matter. While you
may already have an opinion on your topic and an idea about which side of the argument you
want to take, you need to ensure that your position is well supported. Preliminary research is
necessary to determine whether evidence is available to back up your stance.
 Challenge your own topic
You must know all the possible challenges that you might face as you support your view.
Your position paper must address the opposing view and chip away at it with counter evidence.
For this reason, you must find arguments for the other side of your position, present those
arguments or points in a fair manner, and then state why they are not sound.

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 WRITING A POSITION PAPER

 Continue to collect supporting evidences

Try to collect a variety of sources, to include an expert’s opinion and personal experience
that can add an emotional appeal to your topic.
 Create an outline
A Position paper might be arranged in the following format:
1. Introduce your topic with a little background information.
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 – to supply a kind of backdrop that will put it in
perspective. You should discuss the area into which your topic fits, and then gradually lead into
your specific field of discussion.
2. List possible objections to your position.
You can generate counterarguments by asking yourself what someone who disagrees with
you might say about each of the points you've made or about your position as a whole. Once you
have thought up some counterarguments, consider how you will respond to them. You will want
to leave your reader with a sense that your argument is stronger than opposing arguments.
3. Support and acknowledgement of the opposing points.
When you are summarizing opposing arguments, be charitable. You want to show that you
have seriously considered the many sides of the issue, and that you are not simply attacking or
mocking your opponents.
4. Explain that your position is still the best one, despite counter arguments
Get Attitude When you write a position paper, you should write with confidence. In this
paper you want to state your opinion with authority. After all, your goal is to demonstrate that
your position is the correct one. Be assertive, but don't be cocky. State your points and back them
up with evidence.
5. Summarize your argument and restate your position.
The simplest and most basic conclusion is one that restates the thesis in different words and
then discusses its implications.

Things to consider when writing a Position Paper

 Consider your audience
Considering your audience does not mean playing up to the professor. To convince a
particular person that your own views are sound, you have to consider his or her way of thinking.
You will have to make specific decisions about the terms you should explain, the background
information you should supply, and the details you need to convince that particular reader.
 State 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. Notice that a topic alone makes no such claim; it merely defines
an area to be covered. To make your topic into a thesis statement, you need to make a claim
about it, make it into a sentence.

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 WRITING A POSITION PAPER

 Write with style and clarity

Many students make the mistake of thinking that the content of their paper is all that matters.
Although the content is important, it will not mean much if the reader can’t understand what you
are trying to say. You may have some great ideas in your paper but if you cannot effectively
communicate them, you will not receive a very good mark.
 Diction
Diction refers to the choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction,
disposition, and application of words in your essay, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety,
etc.; mode of expression; and language. There is often a tendency for students to use fancy words
and extravagant images in hopes that it will make them sound more intelligent when in fact the
result is a confusing mess. Although this approach can sometimes be effective, it is advisable
that you choose clear words and be as precise in the expression of your ideas as possible.
 Paragraph
Creating clear paragraphs is essential. Paragraphs come in so many sizes and patterns that no
single formula could possibly cover them all. The two basic principles to remember are these:
1. A paragraph is a means of developing and framing an idea or impression. As a general
rule, you should address only one major idea per paragraph.
2. The divisions between paragraphs aren’t random, but indicate a shift in focus. In other
words you must carefully and clearly organize the order of your paragraphs so that they
are logically positioned throughout your paper. Transitions will help you with this.
 Transition
Transitions signal relationships between ideas. Basically, transitions provide the reader with
directions for how to piece together your ideas into a logically coherent argument. They are
words with particular meanings that tell the reader to think and react in a particular way to your
ideas. In providing the reader with these important cues, transitions help readers understand the
logic of how your ideas fit together.
 Grammar and Spelling
You must make certain that your paper is free from grammar and spelling mistakes.
Mechanical errors are usually the main reason for lack of clarity in essays, so be sure to
thoroughly proof read your paper before handing it in.
 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of stealing; as with other offences against the law, ignorance is no
excuse. The way to avoid plagiarism is to give credit where credit is due. If you are using
someone else’s idea, acknowledge it, even if you have changed the wording or just summarized
the main points.

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 SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

Delegation from Republic of Poland Represented by Portland University

Position Paper for the Human Rights Council
The topics before the Human Rights Council (HRC) are: Access to Safe Drinking Water
as a Fundamental Human Right; and Preventing Discrimination and Violence Against Persons
with Disabilities. The Republic of Poland recognizes the need for strong international
cooperation to monitor and implement access to vital human rights, and looks forward to
discussing these topics at the upcoming conference.
I. Access to Safe Drinking Water as a Fundamental Human Right
A lack of access to safe drinking water affects a large proportion of the world’s
population. According to the United Nations (UN) World Health Organization (WHO), over 1
billion people throughout the world are in need of access to clean drinking water. WHO and the
UN Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply and
Sanitation has stated that the water that 1.8 billion people drink has fecal contamination. The
deprivation of the fundamental right to safe drinking water particularly afflicts the most
marginalized members of global society, including women, displaced persons, persons with
disabilities, the impoverished, and children. Those without access to safe drinking water often
also suffer from economic and social disadvantages, including medical conditions, lack of access
to education, and lack of employment. The Republic of Poland is dedicated to aiding Member
States and to the continued improvement of infrastructure for the protection and propagation of
the exercise of this right.
Access to safe drinking water as a basic human right has been discussed extensively on
the international level. While the foundational Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
of 1948 does not explicitly discuss water, it established that there are basic human rights,
including “the right to life, liberty and security of persons,” and to “a standard of living adequate
for the health and well-being” of individuals. In 1977, the Mar del Plata Action Plan from the
UN Water Conference held in Argentina first recognized water as a human right. In 2010, the
UN General Assembly (GA) acknowledged the right of all humans to water in GA resolution
64/292, which also discussed the connection between access to safe drinking water and the
achievement of all other human rights. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include
SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation. Poland supports HRC resolution 15/9, where the
importance of global cooperation and Member State support of human rights programs
pertaining to access to safe drinking water was stressed, and also applauds the adoption of HRC
resolution 18/1, which calls for transparency, diligent analysis, and prioritized action for
populations most in need. Poland upholds the creation and continued work of the Special
Rapporteur on the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation, as well as the UN Inter-
Agency Mechanism on all Freshwater Related Issues, Including Sanitation (UN-Water).
Regionally, the European Union (EU) has emphasized that effective water management is an
important element for all EU countries. Nationally, Poland is proud of the work within its own
borders and throughout the world by its government and by non-governmental organizations
(NGOs). Poland is a country considered to have less available in-country water resources than

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 SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

many other European countries; however, 99% of urban citizens and nearly 97% of rural citizens
have access to an improved drinking water source. In Poland, a minister has been appointed to
consider issues related to water management, and in June 2015, Poland hosted a National Water
Forum to discuss access to water in Poland, which encouraged the sharing of ideas through
public consultations towards updated Water Management Plans. In September 2015, Andrzej
Duda, the President of Poland, emphasized in his speech at the UN Sustainable Development
Summit the continued need of the international community to address access to water.
Poland stresses the need for Member States to take initiative in effectively leading and
coordinating efforts to help developing countries. Poland affirms that a Member State-led
approach that is mindful of the needs of individuals and communities is needed to solve the
severe problem of poor access to safe drinking water. As such, Poland recommends the
international implementation of measures proposed by the Special Rapporteur. These proposals
would require legislative and social changes within individual Member States and should contain
legal consequences for discriminatory practices in water distribution and access in regards to a
person’s ethnicity, nationality, gender, or social status. Other considerations should include
support such as food aid, medical assistance, and access to water sources. Furthermore,
additional changes should include increased support by NGOs, national governments, and the
international community for community infrastructures such as plumbing fixtures and water
connections. It is important that voluntary financial support is made available to assist Member
States in improving drinking water infrastructure in order to ensure that all have access to it. In
addition, regional and international cooperation is significant, as such allows for each Member
State to more fully achieve access to safe drinking water. As such practices are implemented,
more communities will obtain a higher standard of living through access to safe drinking water,
and the human rights of global citizens can be more fully realized.
II. Preventing Discrimination and Violence Against Persons with Disabilities
As stated by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, it is estimated that over 1 billion of the
world’s population has a disability, and 80% of persons with disabilities are from developing
countries. Despite the UN’s efforts for more than 60 years to improve the lives of persons with
disabilities, many still face violence, discrimination, social exclusion, increased poverty, and a
myriad of other human rights concerns. One in five women has a disability, and women can
experience discrimination due to both their gender and their disability and are often more
affected by gender-based violence (GBV) and conflict situations. Adults with disabilities have an
increased probability – 1.5 times – of experiencing violence compared to adults without a
disability, and children with disabilities are almost four times more likely to experience violence
than children without disabilities. Poland is deeply concerned for the conditions often faced by
persons with disabilities and hopes that all efforts can be taken to prevent discrimination and
violence against persons with disabilities.
There are many important international documents related to the topic of preventing
discrimination and violence against persons with disabilities, including the 1975 Declaration on
the Rights of Disabled Persons, the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

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 SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, and
the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Since 1992, the UN has
celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December of each year. In
addition, the SDGs explicitly mention disability 11 times, including in SDGs 4, 8, 10, 11, and 17;
Poland agrees with the statement of the Secretariat for the CRPD, UN Enable, that the SDGs
hold “a deep promise for persons with disabilities.” The HRC has engaged in important efforts to
address specific issues related to discrimination against persons with disabilities, including HRC
resolution 19/11, which discusses the utilization of aid in ensuring that persons with disabilities
are directly benefited, and HRC resolution 19/36, which reaffirms the right of persons with
disabilities to participate in political processes. Poland has taken action to support individuals
with disabilities. Within Poland, a Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled Persons was
appointed to supervise the Vocational and Social Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled
Persons program. In 1997, Poland adopted a Charter of Rights for Persons with Disabilities.
Poland continues to ensure that national legislation drafted since CRPD is in direct accordance
with the framework established, including the protection and promotion of the human rights of
persons with disabilities. Poland has also established an Expert Committee on People with
Disabilities, which monitors and promotes the exercise of rights of persons with disabilities.
To combat discrimination and violence against persons with disabilities, the Republic of
Poland proposes change on local, national, and international levels. Poland recommends the
formulation of international policies that will further promote the human rights of persons with
disabilities. Through international standards, the global community can better protect the rights
of these persons without distinction regarding state of origin or economic status. Poland
recommends that educational institutions provide access to learning tools that will enhance the
experience of children with disabilities in school, and more fully enable children with disabilities
to attend school. This will help prevent victimization and discrimination through improved
opportunities to gain academic and vocational skills. Furthermore, Poland urges each Member
State to adopt a national strategy or action plan that will secure the rights of people with
disabilities. Such action plans could include a focus on independent living, supporting families
with children who have disabilities, and making support available for persons with disabilities so
they can actively participate in the work of their communities. Member States should also
include disability in policies and funding and should ensure that persons with disabilities,
including women, can engage in decision-making on the local, national, and regional levels.
Through established national visions and objectives, Member States can guide general attitudes
towards non-violence and equality. It is important that Member States work together with civil
society, such as with NGOs, in addressing the needs of persons with disabilities. Finally, Poland
emphasizes that Member States and the international community must actively include persons
with disabilities within SDGs efforts, in order to meet the SDGs fully for all members of the
global community. The Republic of Poland recognizes the important opportunity to empower
persons with disabilities through international efforts, and believes that increased efforts will
further prevent discrimination and violence against persons with disabilities worldwide.

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SAMPLE POSITION PAPER

REFERENCES

 http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-to-participate/model-un-
preparation/position-papers
 https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-position-paper-1857251
 http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/practice/position-and-practice-papers/position-
papers
 https://vmun.com/writing-position-paper-model-united-nations/
 http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
 https://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htm
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_paper