How to Write a Compelling Position Paper

A position paper communicates an opinion on an issue typically in response to an event or debate. Schools, businesses and organizations use position papers to outline formal stances. Writing an effective position paper requires strong research, analysis, and persuasion skills.

Follow these key steps when drafting a position paper to create a compelling argument.

Choose a Relevant, Controversial Topic

The first step is picking a topic that’s timely and worthy of taking a stance on.

Ideas include:

• Business issues like remote work policies or sustainability initiatives
• Local legislation around education funding or zoning
• Global concerns like human rights crises or economic policy

Look for issues with strong opinions on multiple sides. The topic should be controversial enough to warrant an argumentative position.

Ensure the topic is relevant to the organization or event. For a school paper, choose an issue impacting students. For a business, focus on industry-specific debates.

Conduct Thorough Background Research

With a topic selected, immerse yourself in learning as much context as possible through:

• News articles – Search media sources for reporting on the issue especially “pro vs con” pieces showing debate.

• Academic papers – Explore what scholars and researchers have published on the topic in scientific journals.

• Statistics – Look for credible surveys, polls, government data related to the issue.

• Legislation – For political issues, study bills and policy changes connected to the debate.

• Historical records – Research what led to the issue arising and how stances have evolved.

Conducting robust research from varied sources allows you to understand the full scope of the issue and major perspectives surrounding it.

Craft a Clear Thesis Statement

With a solid base of knowledge, synthesize your research into a thesis statement. This 1-2 sentence thesis should:

• Directly state your position on the issue

• Provide rationale for why you’ve taken this stance

• Establish the angle through which you’ll argue your position

For example: Non-profit organizations should embrace remote work options to expand their applicant pool, improve retention, and reduce overhead costs.

The thesis makes your stance (embrace remote work), reasoning (expands talent pool, cuts costs), and focus (for non-profits specifically) clear upfront.

Challenge Your Own Position

A strong position paper demonstrates you’ve thoroughly examined the issue from multiple sides. Before presenting your argument, rigorously critique it yourself.

• Research opposing viewpoints – Understand the strongest counterarguments to your position. Search out their reasoning.

• Play “devil’s advocate” – Argue against your own thesis as intensely as possible to stress test it.

• Identify weaknesses – Analyze where your position is most vulnerable to rebuttals and critique.

Challenging your own stance strengthens it by forcing you to shore up weaknesses and counteract objections preemptively.

Provide Evidence Supporting Your Position

With a well-defined thesis and grasp of counterarguments, compile compelling evidence affirming your view. For each point:

• Cite multiple examples – Corroborate claims with facts, statistics, cases, testimony, and specific data points.

• Draw from reputable sources – Quote research from experts and published studies to add validity.

• Use graphics – Charts, graphs, and visuals make dense information more digestible.

• Share anecdotes – Personal stories resonate emotionally with readers.

• Limit assumptions – Back up any logical leaps thoroughly so they hold up to scrutiny.

Evidence transforms your opinion into a well-reasoned, multi-faceted argument grounded in substance.

Structure Your Paper Logically

With an mountain of research, shape your position paper by organizing information in sections:

• Introduces the issue and your thesis statement.

Context

• Provides background through timeline, definitions, etc.

Argument

• Presents research, data, reasoning supporting your position.
• Divided into logical subsections for readability.

Opposing Views

• Acknowledges and rebuts counterarguments.

• Restates your position assertively and calls to action.

Logical flow between sections improves the legibility and impact of your reasoning.

Maintain an Objective Tone

Avoid language that’s overly opinionated or emotive. Keep an objective tone using:

• Facts over exaggeration – Let facts speak for themselves without hyperbole.

• Plain language – Avoid charged phrasing that skews positive or negative.

• Principled reasoning – Argue based on logic rather than untethered passion.

While your position is opinionated, disciplined writing lends you greater credibility and influence.

Cite Sources Consistently

Properly cite any references, quotes, or data using APA, MLA, or required format style to:

• Avoid plagiarism – Always credit words and ideas that aren’t your own.

• Enable citation lookup – Give readers access to your source material.

• Strengthen credibility – Citations prove you’ve done academic due diligence.

Consistent citations are vital for a properly researched position paper.

Wrap up by reiterating your central stance and its significance. In your concluding paragraph:

• Revisit your thesis statement using different phrasing.

• Summarize the main points of your argument briefly.

• Call readers to action where appropriate.

Ending decisively imprints your message and desired outcome.

Revise and Refine

With a complete draft, step back and review your position paper with a critical eye to identify areas for improvement:

• Ensure ideas flow in logical sequence.

• Check citations and formatting are consistent.

• Strengthen sections with sparse evidence.

• Assess if the tone stays appropriately neutral.

• Ask others to read and provide feedback.

Revising thoroughly yields a polished paper fit to stand up to scrutiny.

Present Professionally

For verbal presentations:

• Practice speaking with confidence and neutrality.

• Use decks sparingly – let your writing stand on its own.

• Prepare to field questions and opposing views gracefully.

• Speak slowly and clearly for maximum comprehension.

Professional delivery underscores the rigor behind your thinking.