English for Academic and

Professional Purposes
WRITING A POSITION PAPER
DISCUSSION:
 According to Fleming (2018), a position paper is one
where an author chooses a side on a particular topic
and builds up a case for your opinion or position.
Building up your case will entail the use of facts and
statistics to convince the readers that the author’s
position on the matter is the best one.

As defined by Merriam- Webster, a position

paper is a detailed report that recommends
a course of action on a particular issue.

What is a position paper?

 Position papers are written for the
purpose of generating support
regarding a particular stand/ idea
([Link].2020)
Why are
position papers
written? The fundamental goal of a position
paper is not only to present your stand
on an issue/idea but also to determine
how your stance is related to the
arguments of others. (CSU, 2020)
Parts of a Position Paper
Introduction
a. Start with an introduction which presents the
issue while grabbing the attention of readers.
b. Define the issues and discuss its background.
c. Provide a general statement of your position via
your thesis statement.
Parts of a Position Paper
Body
a. State your main arguments.
b. Provide sufficient evidence for each argument such
as statistical data, interviews with experts, and
testimonies.
c. Provide counterarguments against the possible
weaknesses of your arguments.
Parts of a Position Paper
Conclusion
a. Restate your position and main arguments.
b. Suggest a course of action.
c. State what makes your position paper superior and more
acceptable,
d. End with a powerful closing statement such as quotation,
a challenge, or a question.
Structure of a Position Paper
The structure of a position paper is flexible, but
it should generally follow a simple flow that
clearly conveys the problem and the position of
the author(s).
Structure of a Position Paper
A position paper should begin by clearly stating the problem and its relevance to
the scientific community or even to society as a whole. It should then address
the main position of the author. For example:
1. Background: For decades, the WHO has urged the adoption of a tax on
unhealthy foods to discourage the consumption of products that are harmful to
our health.
2. Relevance: Sugar has been shown to have a negative impact on health and
play a major role in the rising obesity rates in America.
3. Position: The United States should adopt a tax on drinks with added sugar, to
reduce the consumption of sugar, and promote healthier eating habits.
Structure of a Position Paper
The author should clearly list the common arguments and
possible objections against this position. To continue with our
example:
Argument 1: A sugary drink tax that focuses on soda may not
impact other products that have an equally negative health
impact such as fruit juice or candy.
Argument 2: A sugary drink tax is regressive and places a
financial burden on the poorest consumers.
Structure of a Position Paper
A strong position paper acknowledges the validity of the counter- arguments
and then puts forth reasons why the author’s position is still the correct one.
In our example paper, the author can address the counterarguments in the next
section like so:
Counterargument 1: It is true that a sugary drink tax would not impact all
sources of added sugar in the average American diet. However, it would still
have a significant impact on a major source of added sugar to achieve its goal of
reducing overall sugar consumption.
Counterargument 2: All consumption taxes are regressive. A sugary drink tax
would be most effective accompanied by subsidies for healthy foods such as
fruit and vegetables.
Structure of a Position Paper
Finally, summarize your main points and re-state your position
in your conclusion. All arguments in the paper should be backed
up by facts, data, and evidence, with proper citation attributed
to your sources. In this way, a position paper is no different
from an ordinary research paper. If you wish, you can include a
brief literature review in your discussion of the background of
the issue. While such a literature review is not essential, it can
make your paper stronger.
Choosing an Issue
1. The issue should be debatable. You cannot take any
position if the topic is not debatable.
2. The issue should be current and relevant.
3. The issue should be written in a question form and
answerable by yes or no.
4. The issue should be specific and manageable.
 Tips for Writing a Strong Position Paper
1. Select a timely, relevant topic with two clear opposing sides.
2. Conduct thorough preliminary research and collect evidence to support
arguments for and against your position.
3. Identify your intended audience. You should tailor your tone depending
on who the paper is written for (the public, other scientists, policy makers,
etc.).
4. Clearly state your position on the topic.
5. List and refute the counter-arguments to your position.
 Tips for Writing a Strong Position Paper
6. Include supporting data and evidence to back up your argument.
7. Properly attribute your sources using correct citation.
8. Keep it simple! Position papers don’t need to go into excessive
detail. Present your points clearly and briefly.
9. Each paragraph in the paper should discuss a single idea.
10. Have someone proofread your paper to ensure it reads well and
looks professional.
Let us familiarize the following words:
Manifesto
➢a document publicly declaring the position or program of its issuer
➢advances a set of ideas, opinions, or views, but it can also lay out a
plan of action
➢while it can address any topic, it most often concerns art,
literature, or politics
➢generally written in the name of a group sharing a common
perspective, ideology, or purpose rather than in the name of a single
individual
Let us familiarize the following words:
Argument
➢is usually a main idea, often called a “claim” or “thesis statement,” backed
up with evidence that supports the idea
Claim
➢defines your paper’s goals, direction, scope, and is supported by evidence,
quotations, argumentation, expert opinion, statistics, and telling details
➢must be argumentative ; are essentially, the evidence that writers or
speakers use to prove their point
Examples of Claim:
Situation:
A teenager who wants a new cellular phone.

Claim:
Every other girl in her school has a cell phone.
Let us familiarize the following words:
Assumption
➢an information not stated in the argument that has to be true
in order for the argument’s logic to hold
➢Is something an argument takes for granted in reaching its
conclusion
Example:
All kids are excited when they get new toys. Therefore, Tim will be thrilled when he gets
the new radio- controlled car we bought him.
In this argument, the author, says two things explicitly:
All kids are excited when they get new toy
Tim will be thrilled when he gets the new radio – controlled car we bought him.

Steps in identifying assumptions:

Identify the conclusion of the argument.
Identify what is stated in the authors reasoning.
Let us familiarize the following words:
Evidence - is the available body of facts or information indicating
whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
Example: All kids are excited when they get new toys.
Conclusion: Tim will be thrilled when he gets the new radio- controlled
car we bought him.
Author’s Assumption: Tim is a child/kid.