WRITING A POSITION PAPER

The following material explains how to produce a position paper (sometimes called a point of view
paper). A template is provided that outlines the major parts of a good position paper. Keep in
mind, however, that this is just a guide. Talk to your TAs about their individual
expectations. Your TAs may want you to include some criteria that do not appear in this
outline. Make sure you check with them.
Like a debate, a position paper presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal
of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and defensible. Ideas that
you are considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument,
and organizing your paper. It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the
issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to
take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge
of the topic being presented. It is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the
validity of your claims, as well as to refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed
about both sides.

Issue Criteria
To take a side on a subject, you should first establish the arguability of a topic that interests you.
Ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you will be able to present a strong argument:

Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and uncertainty?

Can you identify at least two distinctive positions?

Are you personally interested in advocating one of these positions?

Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be manageable?

In the CMNS 130 courseware the article by Fleras begins to set out a range of issues you may choose to
address. Your tutorial leader will also have a set of suggested paper topics. The suggested paper topics
will also be available on the CMNS 130 website.

Analyzing an Issue and Developing an Argument

Once your topic is selected, you should do some research on the subject matter. While you may
already have an opinion on your topic and an idea about which side of the argument you want to
take, you need to ensure that your position is well supported. Listing the pro and con sides
of the topic will help you examine your ability to support your counterclaims, along with a list of
supporting evidence for both sides. Supporting evidence includes the following:

Type of Information

Type of Source

How to find these sources

introductory information and

overviews

directories, encyclopedias,
handbooks

Use the Library catalogue

in-depth studies

books, government reports

Library catalogue, Canadian Research Index,

Government web sites

scholarly articles

academic journals

Article indexes

current issues

newspapers, magazines

Article indexes

statistics

government agencies and

associations

Statistics Canada, Canadian Research Index,

journal articles

position papers and

analyses

association and institute

reports

Library catalogue, web sites

Many of these sources can be located online through the library catalogue and electronic databases, or on
the Web. You may be able to retrieve the actual information electronically or you may have to visit a
library to find the information in print. The librarians presentation on October 10th after your mid-term
exam will assist in your orientation of the SFU library.
** You do not have to use all of the above supporting evidence in your papers. This is simply a list of the
various options available to you. Consult your separate assignment sheet to clarify the number and type
of sources expected.

Considering your audience and determining your viewpoint

Once you have made your pro and con lists, compare the information side by side. Considering
your audience, as well as your own viewpoint, choose the position you will take.
Considering your audience does not mean playing up to the professor or the TA. To convince a particular
person that your own views are sound, you have to consider his or her way of thinking. If you are writing
a paper for a sociology professor/TA obviously your analysis would be different from what it would be if
you were writing for an economics, history, or communications professor/TA. You will have to make
specific decisions about the terms you should explain, the background information you should supply, and
the details you need to convince that particular reader.
In determining your viewpoint, ask yourself the following:

Is your topic interesting? Remember that originality counts. Be aware that your professor/TA will
probably read a number of essays on the same topic(s), so any paper that is inventive and original
will not only stand out but will also be appreciated.
Can you manage the material within the specifications set by the instructor?
Does your topic assert something specific, prove it, and where applicable, propose a plan of action?
Do you have enough material or proof to support your opinion?

Organization
Sample Outline
I. Introduction
___A. Introduce the topic
___B. Provide background on the topic to explain why it is important
___C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue). More on thesis statements can be found below.
Your introduction has a dual purpose: to indicate both the topic and your approach to it (your
thesis statement), and to arouse your readers interest in what you have to say. One effective way
of introducing a topic is to place it in context to supply a kind of backdrop that will put it in
perspective. You should discuss the area into which your topic fits, and then gradually lead into
your specific field of discussion (re: your thesis statement).
II. Counter Argument
___A. Summarize the counterclaims
___B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims

___C. Refute the counterclaims

___D. Give evidence for argument
You can generate counterarguments by asking yourself what someone who disagrees with you
might say about each of the points you've made or about your position as a whole. Once you have
thought up some counterarguments, consider how you will respond to them--will you concede that
your opponent has a point but explain why your audience should nonetheless accept your
argument? Will you reject the counterargument and explain why it is mistaken? Either way, you
will want to leave your reader with a sense that your argument is stronger than opposing
arguments.
When you are summarizing opposing arguments, be charitable. Present each argument fairly and
objectively, rather than trying to make it look foolish. You want to show that you have seriously
considered the many sides of the issue, and that you are not simply attacking or mocking your
opponents.
It is usually better to consider one or two serious counterarguments in some depth, rather than to
give a long but superficial list of many different counterarguments and replies.
Be sure that your reply is consistent with your original argument. If considering a counterargument
changes your position, you will need to go back and revise your original argument accordingly.
For more on counterarguments visit: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html
III. Your Argument
___A. Assert point #1 of your claims
_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
___B. Assert point #2 of your claims
_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
___C. Assert point #3 of your claims
_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion
_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)
You may have more than 3 overall points to your argument, but you should not have
fewer.
IV. Conclusion
___A. Restate your argument
___B. Provide a plan of action but do not introduce new information
The simplest and most basic conclusion is one that restates the thesis in different words and then
discusses its implications.

Stating Your Thesis

A thesis is a one-sentence statement about your topic. It's an assertion about your topic,
something you claim to be true. Notice that a topic alone makes no such claim; it merely
defines an area to be covered. To make your topic into a thesis statement, you need to make a
claim about it, make it into a sentence. Look back over your materials--brainstorms, investigative
notes, etc.--and think about what you believe to be true. Think about what your readers want or
need to know. Then write a sentence, preferably at this point, a simple one, stating what will be
the central idea of your paper. The result should look something like this:

Original Subject: an important issue in my major field

Focused Topic: media technology education for communication majors
Thesis: Theories of media technology deserve a more prominent place in this Universitys Communication
program
Or if your investigations led you to a different belief:
Thesis: Communication majors at this University receive a solid background in theories of media
technology
It's always good to have a thesis you can believe in.
Notice, though, that a sentence stating an obvious and indisputable truth won't work as
a thesis:
Thesis: This University has a Communication major.
That's a complete sentence, and it asserts something to be true, but as a thesis it's a dead end. It's
a statement of fact, pure and simple, and requires little or nothing added. A good thesis asks to
have more said about it. It demands some proof. Your job is to show your reader that your
thesis is true.
Remember, you can't just pluck a thesis out of thin air. Even if you have remarkable insight
concerning a topic, it won't be worth much unless you can logically and persuasively support it in
the body of your essay. A thesis is the evolutionary result of a thinking process, not a miraculous
creation. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading the essay
assignment. Deciding on a thesis does not come first. Before you can come up with an
argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships
between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the beneaththe-surface significance of these relationships. After this initial exploration of the question at hand,
you can formulate a "working thesis," an argument that you think will make sense of the evidence
but that may need adjustment along the way. In other words, do not show up at your TAs
office hours expecting them to help you figure out your thesis statement and/or help
organize your paper unless you have already done some research.
For more information regarding thesis statements
visit: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html

Writing with style and clarity

Many students make the mistake of thinking that the content of their paper is all that matters.
Although the content is important, it will not mean much if the reader cant understand what you
are trying to say. You may have some great ideas in your paper but if you cannot effectively
communicate them, you will not receive a very good mark. Keep the following in mind when writing
your paper:
Diction
Diction refers to the choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and
application of words in your essay, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.; mode of
expression; and language. There is often a tendency for students to use fancy words and
extravagant images in hopes that it will make them sound more intelligent when in fact the result

is a confusing mess. Although this approach can sometimes be effective, it is advisable that you
choose clear words and be as precise in the expression of your ideas as possible.

Paragraphs
Creating clear paragraphs is essential. Paragraphs come in so many sizes and patterns that no
single formula could possibly cover them all. The two basic principles to remember are these:
1) A paragraph is a means of developing and framing an idea or impression. As a general rule,
you should address only one major idea per paragraph.
2) The divisions between paragraphs arent random, but indicate a shift in focus. In other
words you must carefully and clearly organize the order of your paragraphs so that they are
logically positioned throughout your paper. Transitions will help you with this.
For further information on paragraph development
visit: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/paragraphs.html

Transitions
In academic writing your goal is to convey information clearly and concisely, if not to convert the
reader to your way of thinking. Transitions help you to achieve these goals by establishing logical
connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your papers. In other words,
transitions tell readers what to do with the information you present them. Whether single words,
quick phrases or full sentences, they function as signs for readers that tell them how to think
about, organize, and react to old and new ideas as they read through what you have written.
Transitions signal relationships between ideas. Basically, transitions provide the reader with
directions for how to piece together your ideas into a logically coherent argument. They are words
with particular meanings that tell the reader to think and react in a particular way to your ideas. In
providing the reader with these important cues, transitions help readers understand the logic of
how your ideas fit together.

LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP

TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION

Similarity

also, in the same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly

Exception/Contrast

but, however, in spite of, on the one hand ... on the other hand,
nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary,
still, yet

Sequence/Order

first, second, third, ... next, then, finally

Time

after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately,

later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then

Example

for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate

Emphasis

even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly

Place/Position

above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there

Cause and Effect

accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus

Additional Support or
Evidence

additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further,

furthermore, in addition, moreover, then

Conclusion/Summary

finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on

the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, in summary

For more information on transitions

visit: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html
Grammar and Spelling
You must make certain that your paper is free from grammar and spelling mistakes. Mechanical
errors are usually the main reason for lack of clarity in essays, so be sure to thoroughly proof read
your paper before handing it in. For help with common errors in grammar and usage consult the
following websites:
http://www.sfu.ca/~gmccarro/Grammar/Grammar.html http://ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index2.
htm http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/

Plagiarism and academic honesty

Plagiarism is a form of stealing; as with other offences against the law, ignorance is no excuse.
The way to avoid plagiarism is to give credit where credit is due. If you are using someone elses
idea, acknowledge it, even if you have changed the wording or just summarized the main points.
To avoid plagiarism, you must give credit whenever you use

another person's idea, opinion, or theory;

any facts, statistics, graphs, drawings--any pieces of information--that are not common
knowledge;
quotations of another person's actual spoken or written words; or
paraphrase of another person's spoken or written words.

In addition to plagiarism, SFU has policies regarding other forms of academic dishonesty. For more
information on SFUs policies regarding academic honesty consult your undergraduate calendar
or http://www.sfu.ca/policies/teaching/t10-02.htm. If any of the Universitys policies are not clear you
must ask your professor or TA for clarification. Again, ignorance is no excuse.

SOURCES
The information included in the document Writing a Position Paper was adapted from the
following sources:
Guilford, C.(2001). Occasions for Argumentative Essays. Writing Argumentative Essays. Retrieved
August 26, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http://www.powa.org/argufrms.htmPreviously adapted
from: Hairston, M. (1982) A Contemporary Rhetoric (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Northey, M. (1993). Making Sense: a students guide to research, writing, and style (3rd ed.).
Toronto: Oxford University Press.
UHWO Writing Center (1998) Writing a Position Paper. Retrieved August 26, 2002 from the World
Wide Web: http://homepages.uhwo.hawaii.edu/~writing/position.htm
UNC-CH Writing Center (2000). Constructing Thesis Statements. Writing Center Handouts. Retrieved
August 26, 2002 from the World Wide Web:http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
UNC-CH Writing Center (2000). Effective Academic Writing: The Argument. Writing Center Handouts.
Retrieved August 26, 2002 from the World Wide
Web:http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html
UNC-CH Writing Center (2000). Paragraph Development. Writing Center Handouts. Retrieved August 26,
2002 from the World Wide Web:http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html
UNC-CH Writing Center (2000). Transitions. Writing Center Handouts. Retrieved August 26, 2002 from
the World Wide Web: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html