Rws Reporting m11 FINAL

WRITING A POSITION
PAPER
QUARTER 4: MODULE 11
WHAT IS A POSITION PAPER?
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.
WHAT IS A POSITION PAPER?
As defined by Merriam-Webster
a position paper is a detailed report that

recommends a course of action on a particular
issue.
WHY ARE POSITION PAPERS WRITTEN?
Position papers are written for the purpose of

generating support regarding a particular stand/ idea
(Xavier.edu.2020)
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
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.
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
• A position paper should begin by
clearly stating the problem and its
relevance to the scientific community
or even to the 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.
For example
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.
• The author should clearly list
the common arguments and
possible objections against
this position.
To continue with our example:
1. 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.
2. Argument 2: A sugary drink tax is regressive and

places a financial burden on the poorest consumers.
• A strong position paper
acknowledges the validity of the
counterarguments and then puts
forth reasons why the author’s
position is still the correct one.
1. 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.
2. 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.
• 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.
1. The issue should be debatable. You cannot
take any position if the topic is not debatable.
CHOOSING
2. The issue should be current and relevant.
AN
3. The issue should be written in a question form
ISSUE and answerable by yes or no.
4. The issue should be specific and manageable.

TEN TIPS FOR WRITING A
STRONG POSITION PAPER
Select a timely, relevant topic with two clear
opposing sides.
Conduct thorough preliminary research and collect

evidence to support arguments for and against your
position.
Identify your intended audience. You should tailor

your tone depending on who the paper is written for
(the public, other scientists, policy makers, etc.).
Clearly state your position on the topic.

List and refute the counter-arguments to your
position.
6 Include supporting data and evidence to back up

your argument.
Properly attribute your sources using correct

citation.
Keep it simple! Position papers don’t need to go

into excessive detail. Present your points clearly
and briefly.
6 Each paragraph in the paper should discuss a
single idea.
10 Have someone proofread your paper to ensure it

reads well and looks professional.

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WRITING A POSITION

According to Fleming (2018)

a position paper is a detailed report that

Position papers are written for the purpose of

a. Start with an introduction which presents the

b. Define the issues and discuss its background.

c. Provide a general statement of your position

a. State your main arguments.

b. Provide sufficient evidence for each argument

a. Restate your position and main arguments.

b. Suggest a course of action.

c. State what makes your position paper superior and

d. End with a powerful closing statement such as

1. Background: For decades, the WHO has urged the

2. Relevance: Sugar has been shown to have a negative

3. Position: The United States should adopt a

1. Argument 1: A sugary drink tax that focuses on soda

2. Argument 2: A sugary drink tax is regressive and

1. Counterargument 1: It is true that a sugary

2. Counterargument 2: All consumption

• All arguments in the paper should be backed up

• If you wish, you can include a brief literature

• While such a literature review is not essential, it

4. The issue should be specific and manageable.

Conduct thorough preliminary research and collect

Identify your intended audience. You should tailor

Clearly state your position on the topic.

6 Include supporting data and evidence to back up

Properly attribute your sources using correct

Keep it simple! Position papers don’t need to go

10 Have someone proofread your paper to ensure it

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