Position Paper Writing Guide: Introduction and Submission Guidelines

Montana Model United Nations
High School Conference
Position Paper Writing Guide
Introduction and Submission Guidelines
A position paper is a diplomatic statement of your country’s position on the issues under consideration by
a committee. For example, if you are the delegate representing Romania in the General Assembly First
Committee, you will write a paper detailing Romania’s position on the topics before the GA1. Other
delegates from your team will write on the topics before their committees. Thus, if a country serves on
four committees, four separate position papers must be submitted.
Position papers help delegates and MMUN teams prepare for the conference. Position papers clarify a
country’s position, provide ideas for negotiation, and practice written diplomacy. Writing a position paper
involves researching your country, the UN, and the topics, and using this knowledge to articulate your
country’s position on the topics.
Position papers also assist conference organizers in evaluating delegates’ understanding of their countries
and the topics. The quality of position papers is considered in making awards.
All position papers must be printed and delivered by delegates to the first session of their committee on
Monday morning.
Format
A position paper must meet the following format requirements:
 No more than two pages in length

 Printed double-sided
 10 or 12 point font
 Single spaced within paragraphs and double spaced between paragraphs
 Heading with the official country name, the name of the school representing the country, and the
name of the individual serving as a delegate for that committee
 Short introductory paragraph, followed by three paragraphs on each topic
 Topic sections divided by topic headings. Topics should appear in the order they appear on the
topic list and in the committee background guides on the MMUN website. Each topic heading
should be bold and centered.
 Either left alignment or justification of the body of the text is acceptable
A sample position paper is posted on the MMUN website. The first page of the sample is annotated to
explain what goes where. After that, you will find the full text of the two-page resolution.
How to Write a Position Paper
For research tips, see the Delegate Preparation Guide on the MMUN website.
A position paper should be written in diplomatic language. That is, it should express your country’s
position on the issues in the most favorable and respectful light possible.
Montana Model United Nations
High School Conference
A position paper consists of a short introductory paragraph, followed by three paragraphs on each topic.
The introductory paragraph lists the topics before the committee and summarizes the country’s basic
approach to the topics by referring to the relevant international organizations to which the country
belongs and the relevant treaties it has signed.
Each of the three topic sections should consist of three paragraphs. These paragraphs should be organized
as follows:
1. History
a. This paragraph should provide a short introduction to the topic, the previous work of
the UN on the topic, and current issues that need to be addressed, from your
country’s point of view.
b. It should refer to important treaties or past resolutions that your country has supported.
c. At the conference, you can refer to these documents in your speeches and in
preambulatory clauses of resolutions to provide other delegates with insight into
your country’s position.
2. Position
a. This paragraph should state your country’s position in diplomatic terms.

b. It should refer to your country’s work on the issue within its borders, with allies, with
regional partners, and/or within the world community.
c. It should explain why your country is a shining example, or needs assistance, or has
made progress, or can help other countries on this topic.
3. Proposal
a. This paragraph should summarize your country’s proposal for addressing the issues
related to this topic.
b. It should assess the progress that has been made on this issue, describe areas for
improvement, and suggest specific measures.
c. Conclude with a strong, forward-thinking sentence.
d. At the conference, these statements can be used in resolutions.

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Montana Model United Nations

High School Conference

Position Paper Writing Guide

Introduction and Submission Guidelines

A position paper must meet the following format requirements:

 No more than two pages in length

How to Write a Position Paper

a. This paragraph should state your country’s position in diplomatic terms.

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