Guidelines on how to write a position paper?
Writing an astronomical position paper can be a hideous task for students, which includes research work and points to defend the arguments mentioned in the paper. To help you understand, let us start with how to write a position paper and the important points required to be mentioned in it.
Let’s go ahead and discuss the points necessary in the position paper:
- Introduction to Position Paper
- Its Characteristics& Components
- The correct format for the position paper
- Outline required in the position paper
- Examples on the position paper
Introduction to Position Paper
A Position paper is a piece that affords a debatable declaration to a specific topic. It should reveal why you consider your view legitimate and worth listening to. It helps the writer take the paper in front of a large crowd, where his point of view can be encouraged. Choosing the ‘For’ or ‘Against’ side of a topic is mandatory before writing the position paper. A case should be built to support the opinion you shared. It is compulsory to use evidence, stats, and facts to persuade the readers that your view is correct.
Characteristics & Components of a position paper
- It should be Cogent.
- It must have a debatable claim.
- It should explain the squabble from both sides.
- A proper reason and evidence should be provided.
- A rational tone should be mentioned.
The format of a position paper
After knowing what the position paper is, let us discuss how to write it in a proper format. Mostly, the paper format is provided by teachers with the required guidelines; if not, let’s go ahead and discuss the same below:
- The font size should be 12.
- The theme font should be Times New Roman.
- A single-inch margin should be used.
- The entire text should be single-spaced.
- The paper should be written in paragraph form.
- The topic should be at least one page.
- Try to avoid charts, pictures, maps, and graphs. As mentioned above, you can include statistics to support your opinion.
How to write a position paper outline
If asked to jump straight in the water and write an outline position paper, people will always choose the first one as they find it hard to make an outline position paper. As per the practitioners, outlining the paper helps save time. Let’s proceed with how to write a position paper outline:
- Choose an appropriate topic – The topic which you choose should have numerous sides to choose from easily. If arguments are raised, then your words should hold a position to defend that. So, before selecting the topic, ensure proper research is done and choose the topic you can defend. A topic can be simple or complex, but the justification should be sensible and impressive. By doing an effectual analysis, it will be easy to understand the options available for your arguments. It is important to understand the context and purpose of each side so that you can grow proper evidence for each side. After long research work, if you still find that information is limited to the topic which you have selected, change the topic.
- Pick appropriate evidence – Once the topic is clear, start collecting evidence to support your arguments. Based on your research, jot down the points as to why you chose the topic and which side of it. Always check both sides of the topic and choose the one you are comfortable defending with the collected arguments.
- Present the contention statement – Once all supporting arguments are gathered, and you know how to write a position paper, you first need to write the dialectic statement. There are different ways to write the dialectic statement for the position paper. One possibility is to indulge both sides of the evidence.
Let us find some ways to write a thesis statement in a position paper
- Introduction – Use this to reflect your point of view to the readers. Two primary goals should be focused upon. Firstly, to identify the matter, and secondly, to state your arguments. Always try to start the introduction strongly by including everything necessary to attract the reader. It should always be a third-person statement.
- Body – It should not contain more than 3 paragraphs. Depending on the length of the topic, you can go ahead and add more information to it. To support your stand, be assured that all the paragraphs state the main topic which will be presented. Include quotations and statistics to support the content and ensure the points mentioned are valid and sound.
- Conclusion – Do mention a strong point as to why your arguments are valid and state the position. The thesis should be focused upon, give importance to the evidence, and close it on a high note.
Examples on a position paper
As we understand the importance of how to write a position paper, its time to check some of the topics, which are as follows:
- Racial & Gender discrimination
- Security at Borders
- Ads for anti-smoking
- Election coverage by Media
- Goods – Recycling & Reusing
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the points to keep in mind while writing a position paper?
- It should not exceed more than one page.
- It should have a proper introduction to the topic.
- The position paper is highly rated when the resolutions are provided along with the facts.
What are the different parts of a position paper?
It has 3 parts: introduction, body, and conclusion are important when you want to know how to write a position paper. The introduction should contain a reasonable statement so that the reader gets attracted. The body should contain the arguments properly explained with facts and stats. Conclude the topic in such a way that it holds a message and valid points as to why it is important.
Characteristics required on how to write a position paper?
To reach this limit, you need to add a few important features, which include a famous topic, an arguable issue, your stand on the topic, convincing evidence, and an authoritative tone.