The Position

Paper
WHAT IS POSITION PAPER?

● The position paper is devoted to discussing one

side of an issue.
● It is a critical examination of a position using
facts and inductive reasoning, which addresses
both strengths and weaknesses of the
author’s opinion.
 PARTS OF
POSITION PAPER
PARTS OF POSITION PAPER?
● INTRODUCTION – Identify the issue that will be discusses
and state the author’s position on that issues.
● BODY – Contains the central agreement can be further
broken up into three section background information
evidence supporting the author’s position and a discussion of
both sides of then issue which addressed refute argument that
contract the author’s position.
● CONCLUSION – Restates the key points and suggest
resolution of the issue.
 TITLE

INTRODUCTION BODY
Hook (grab reader’s
Body paragraph 1
attention) Body paragraph 2
Background information Body paragraph 3
Thesis statement

CONCLUSION
• Summarize key points suggest
recommendation Give closure
• Topic sentences
• supporting/concluding Sentence
EXAMPLE OF THESIS STATEMENT
Teacher can help students succeed in
class by inspiring them
 5 STEPS TO
WRITING
POSITION PAPER
 1. Select a Topic for
Your Paper
• Your position paper centers
around a topic that is supported
by research. Your topic
and position have to hold up when
challenged, so it's helpful to
research a few topics and
pick the one you can best argue,
even if it may not reflect your
personal beliefs.
.
2. Conduct Preliminary
Research
• Preliminary research is
necessary to determine
whether sufficient evidence is
available to back up your stance.
You don’t want to get too
attached to a topic that falls
apart under a challenge.
 3. Challenge Your 4. Continue to Collect
Supporting Evidence

Own Topic
Take the time to determine all the possible
challenges that you might face as you
support
your view. Your position paper must
address the opposing view and chip
away at it with
counter-evidence.
Once you’ve 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 a library, conduct a
search, or ask the reference librarian
to help you find more sources. You
can, of course, conduct online
research, but it's important to know
how to properly vet the validity of the
sources you use.