Creating a Position Paper

So, what is the purpose and the secret of creating a compelling position paper? By definition, a position paper is a writing work that serves one main purpose: to share your opinion with the audience on the chosen topic. Not only you need to share it, but defend it and document the point of view behind the theme. If you want your teacher to be delighted with the content of the work, go above and beyond in collecting background information. This way, you give your readers the sense of direction and render your feelings in a concise and focused way.

Broadly speaking, you should establish, explain and substantiate an opinion. Plus, your task is to consider the opposite position and briefly highlight it to make your research objective. It is also important to remain specific in your examples and supporting arguments. A good position paper does not only inform the reader of the possible outcome, but also provides the conclusion that is coherent and organized.

Background information and style

Prior to your research, make sure you know the topic and have a clear understanding of the task. Introduce your theme by providing readers with information that might be relevant to the story. It means that if your topic doesn’t limit to common knowledge, you need to start with an overview of its main provisions. Then make sure to introduce your main idea about it.

For example, if you decide to present your point of view on the interracial marriage, tell the audience about the state of international affairs in the country and specify the first documented case of such marriage. This will serve as a background information and give your readers an insight into the matter necessary to capture the general theme.

Want to get a good mark, you should write in a clear and concise manner. Therefore, make sure to avoid overstating your opinion or using superficial expressions. It’s better to demonstrate your ability to reason within the topic than leave your audience skimming the content and looking for clues. Sometime emotional and informal language might be helpful to illustrate the cause (and some topics to allow using it). However, it is important to avoid slang and jargon. Also, never use inappropriate words or concepts you don’t really understand. These elements clutter the paper and make an odd impression. Instead, try to stay focused and provide your readers with quality and thoughtful content.

How to choose a position?

There are several options available when it comes to choosing the right position. First, do your research. This will provide you with sufficient information to develop your statement and transform it into the readable content later. To do so, follow these steps:

Visit a local library

It doesn’t sound like a journey off the beaten track, but you will be surprised to learn library assistants know a lot more about valid argumentation and position papers than you do, and can provide you with relevant information on the topic.

Do your research online

Another old and gold way to write an efficient position is to conduct your research online. To cut a long story short, look for clues that might be hidden in scientific journals, legit documentation and books. Also, you might find gems of wisdom to support your thoughts in the current newspapers and electronic editions. Avoid using unreliable sources like amateur sites, commercial resources, and – oops! – Wikipedia.

Use a primary source

A primary source is a door that leads you to the world of information. For example, if you are writing a position paper on the current state of political affairs in the country, meeting a mayor or a local official will be a huge benefit. Take advantage of the issue and support your ideas with as much background information as possible.

Choose a point

The majority of students write their position papers to express an opinion on the subject and ignore the opportunity to explore a contrasting viewpoint. It makes the entire research one-sided, whereas you might want to discover the opposite statement. You don’t need to change your position to satisfy the audience, just make sure you follow the task.

So, be attentive, choose appropriate sources, show objectiveness and don’t forget to revise your paper for a couple of times before submission. Otherwise, you can count on reliable writing companies and ask help and advice from them. Good luck!

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