Far Eastern University

Position paper

Writing a position paper

 presents an arguable opinion about an issue.

 the goal is to convince an audience that an opinion is valid and worth listening to.
 All sides of the issue should be carefully considered and in a manner that is easy for the
audience to understand.
 Support your arguments with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims, as well as to
address the counterclaims to show that the paper is well-researched.

Issue criteria
Ask yourself with the following questions to ensure that you will be able to present a valid claim:
 Is it a real issue? With genuine controversy and uncertainty?
 Can you distinctly identify two positions?
 Are you you personally interested in advocating one of these positions?
 Is it narrow enough to be manageable?

Analyzing an issue and developing an argument

Once topic is selected, do some research on the subject matter. List out the pros and cons of your
position to help you examine the counterclaims. Supporting evidence includes the ff:
 Factual knowledge – information that is verifiable and agreed by almost everyone.
 Statistical inferences – interpretation and examples of accumulated facts.
 Informed opinion – developed through research and expertise of the claim.

Considering the audience

 Who is your audience?
 What do they believe?
 Where do they stand on the issue?

Determining the viewpoint

 Is your topic interesting?
 Can you manage the materials within the specifications set by the instructor?
 Does your topic assert something specific and propose a plan of action?
 Do you have enough materials to support the claim?

Organization
 The audience should know what and where you stand on the paper.
 Thesis statement is located in two of the strongest places: front and back.

Sample outline

I. Introduction
a. Introduction of the topic
b. Provide background in the topic. (The history of the topic)
c. Assert your thesis (assertion of your view on the problem)
II. Counter argument
a. Introduction of the counterclaims. (Should exhaust the literature for this)
b. Provide supporting information for counterclaims.
c. Refute the counterclaim (prove it to be wrong)
Far Eastern University
Position paper

d. Provide support for the argument

III. Your argument
a. Assert point #1 of your claim
i. Give your opinion
ii. Provide support (literature)
b. Assert point #2
i. Give your opinion
ii. Provide support
c. Assert point #3
i. Give your opinion
ii. Provide support
IV. Conclusion
a. Restate your argument and why its important.
V. References
a. Minimum of 15 references
b. APA 6th ed.