A position paper is a document that argues for a specific viewpoint on an issue, providing
background information, evidence, and reasoning to support the author's stance and persuade
the audience. It aims to inform readers and generate support for the author's opinion or an
organization's policy by presenting a clear, concise, and well-supported argument grounded in
facts and credible sources. Position papers are used across various fields, including academia,
politics, business, law, and scientific research.
Key characteristics and purpose
Presents an arguable opinion:
The core of a position paper is a specific, defensible viewpoint on a topic or issue.
Persuades the audience:
The paper's primary goal is to convince the reader that the author's position is valid and well-
reasoned.
Uses evidence:
The author supports their stance with facts, statistics, data, and other credible evidence from
reliable sources.
Provides background and context:
It includes information to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
Acknowledges counterarguments:
A strong position paper often discusses and refutes opposing viewpoints to strengthen its own
argument.
Formal and well-organized:
The document is typically structured with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion,
ensuring a clear and smooth flow.
Where they are used
Academia:
Students write position papers for college courses, and scholars publish them in academic
settings to advance arguments in specific fields.
Politics and Government:
Position papers are used by organizations and policymakers to state their official beliefs and
recommend courses of action on various issues.
Business and Law:
Professionals in these fields use position papers to outline their company's stance or policy on a
subject or to propose solutions to problems.
Healthcare and Scientific Research:
Researchers use position papers to present evidence-based solutions to problems and to
advocate for specific approaches or policies.
A position paper (sometimes position piece for brief items) is an essay that presents an
arguable opinion about an issue – typically that of the author or some specified entity. Position
papers are published at academia, in politics, in law and other domains. The goal of a position
paper is to convince the audience that the opinion presented is valid and worth listening to.
Ideas for position papers that one is considering need to be carefully examined when choosing
a topic, developing an argument, and organizing the paper.
Position papers range from the simplest format of a letter to the editor, through to the most
complex in the form of an academic position paper.[1] Position papers are also used by large
organizations to make public the official beliefs and recommendations of the group.[2]
