Writing assignment series

Writing Position Papers

Write a position paper to
Organize and outline your viewpoint on an issue Formally inform others of your position as a foundation to build resolution to difficult problems Present a unique, though biased, solution or a unique approach to solving a problem Frame the discussion in order to define the "playing field." This can put you in an advantageous position with those who may not be so well prepared as regards the issues behind their positions Establish your credibility Here you are demonstrating that you have a command of the issues and the research behind them, and can present them clearly Let your passion be demonstrated in the force of your argument rather than in the use of emotional terms Guide you in being consistent in maintaining your position in negotiation The better prepared you are the more disadvantaged are your opponents and more likely they will defer to you

Guidelines:

Format should be consistent with guidelines determined by the sponsoring organization or committee Include topic, date, purpose, etc, and should readily identify you as the author If the paper represents a group, organization, committee, do not write in the first person (not I, my, mine, etc. but rather we, our, etc.) Limit yourself to two pages following the format established by previous successful position papers Develop supporting evidence for both sides including factual knowledge, statistical evidence, authoritative testimony Identify the issues and prejudices keeping in mind your audience List these as appropriate and anticipate counterclaims Assume familiarity with basic concepts but define unfamiliar terms/concepts or state meanings that define your point of departure Refer to those who agree with your position to assist you in developing your argument Familiarize yourself with those who disagree with you to prepare your defense. Summarize their argument and evidence, then refute

Research:

Introduction:
Consider your audience: start with a topic sentence or two that attracts attention and summarizes the issue Inform the reader of your point of view

Development:
Focus on three main points to develop Each topic is developed with

a general statement of the position an elaboration that references documents and source data past experiences and authoritative testimony conclusion restating the position Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph Keep your voice active Quote sources to establish authority Stay focused on your point of view throughout the essay Focus on logical arguments Don't lapse into summary in the development--wait for the conclusion Conclusion Summarize, then conclude, your argument Refer to the first paragraph/opening statements as well as the main points does the conclusion restate the main ideas? reflect the succession and importance of the arguments logically conclude their development? Share a draft with others to better develop the paper and ensure that your argument is clear Revise, spell-check, and succeed in building your case.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL 1. Form a group with not more than three (3) members. 2. Write a POSITION PAPER citing legal provisions for or against the bill containing the following parts: i. Brief background on the Bill ii. Counterarguments iii. Your arguments iv. Legal bases v. Conclusion vi. Bibliography/footnotes 2. Use an 8.5 x 13 sized unruled white paper with 1.5 margin on all sides. 3. Use the font Century Gothic in size 12. 4. No maximum or minimum number of pages. 5. The paper will be submitted on the day of your final examinations. 6. Do not use any folder or envelope. Staple only the pages. 7. You can use as a guide the format found in http://intranet.dalton.org/MSLIB/citation.html for your bibliography/footnotes.

In a position paper, you will 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. As you collect research for your position paper and begin to craft an outline, you must remember that the teacher will be looking for a well-constructed argument. This means that the subject matter and

your topic is not as important as your ability to make a case. You topic could be simple or complex but your argument must be sound and logical. Select a Topic Your position paper is going to center around a personal belief that is supported by research, so you have an opportunity to tap into your own strong feelings in this assignment. Take advantage of this opportunity! Find a topic that is near and dear to your heart, and youll put more of your heart into your work. That always leads to a better outcome. Conduct Preliminary Research Preliminary research is necessary to determine whether evidence is available to back up your stance. You dont want to get to attached to a topic that falls apart under a challenge. Search a few reputable sites, like educations sites and government sites, to find professional studiesand statistics. If you come up with nothing after an hour of searching, or if you find that your position doesnt stand up to the findings on reputable sites, you might want to find another topic. Challenge Your Own Topic This is a very important step! You must know the opposite view as well as you know your own stance when you take a position. You must know all the possible challenges that you might face as you support your view. Your position paper must present 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, address those arguments, and state why they are not sound. Draw a line down the middle of a sheet of paper and list your points on one side and list opposing points on the other side. Which argument is really better? Continue to Collect Supporting Evidence Once youve determined that your position is supportable and the opposite position is (in your opinion) weaker than your own, you are ready to branch out with your research. Go to alibrary and conduct a search, or ask the reference librarian to help you find more sources. Try to collect a variety of sources, to include an experts opinion (doctor, lawyer, or professor, for example) and personal experience (from a friend or family member) 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. Build up to your thesis sentence, which

asserts your position. Sample points: For decades, the FDA has required that warning labels should be placed on certain products that pose a threat to public health. Fast food restaurants are bad for our health. Fast food packages should contain warning labels.

2. List possible objections to your position. Sample points:

Such labels would affect profits of major corporations. Many people would see this as overreaching government control. Whose job is it to determine which restaurants are bad? Who draws the line? The program would be costly.

3. Support and acknowledgement of the opposing points. Sample points:

It would be difficult and expensive for any entity to determine which restaurants should adhere to the policy. Nobody wants to see the government overstepping its boundaries. Funding would fall onto the shoulders of taxpayers.

4. Explain that your position is still the best one, despite the strength of counter arguments. Sample points:

The cost would be countered by the improvement of public health. Restaurants might improve the standards of food if warning labels were put into place. One role of the government is to keep citizens safe. The government already does this with drugs and cigarettes.

5. Summarize your argument and restate your position. 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.