TL;DR

A position paper states your stance on an issue and defends it with evidence
Unlike a regular argumentative essay, position papers often require you to propose solutions, not just argue a point
Structure: Introduction → Background → Your Position → Supporting Evidence → Counterarguments → Conclusion
Research both sides thoroughly before choosing your position — the strongest position papers acknowledge complexity
Common in political science, international relations, business, and Model UN

What Is a Position Paper?

A position paper is an essay where you take a clear stance on a debatable issue and defend it with evidence, logic, and reasoning. Think of it as a more formal, research-heavy version of an argumentative essay.

Here's what makes position papers different from regular argumentative essays:

They usually address real-world policy issues (not abstract philosophical questions)
They often require you to propose solutions or recommendations
They demand awareness of multiple perspectives, even as you argue for one
They're common in political science, international relations, business, law, and Model UN

At their core, position papers answer three questions:

What do you believe? (Your position)
Why do you believe it? (Your evidence and reasoning)
What should be done? (Your recommendations)

Step 1: Understand the Issue Thoroughly

Before you can take a position, you need to understand the full landscape of the debate.

Research Both Sides

The worst position papers are one-sided. They read like propaganda rather than analysis. Even though you'll ultimately argue for one side, you need to understand the opposing viewpoints well enough to address them.

Questions to Research

What are the main perspectives on this issue?
What evidence supports each perspective?
What are the stakes — who benefits and who's harmed?
What solutions have been proposed? What are their strengths and weaknesses?
What is the current status quo, and why is it insufficient?

Where to Research

Source Type	Good For
Academic journals	Evidence-based arguments, data
Government reports	Policy details, statistics
Think tank publications	Analysis from various political perspectives
News sources (multiple)	Current events, recent developments
Books/textbooks	Historical context, theoretical frameworks
International organizations	Global perspectives (UN, WHO, World Bank)

Step 2: Choose Your Position

After researching, choose the position you believe is best supported by evidence. Note: you don't have to personally agree with your position (though it helps). What matters is that you can defend it convincingly.

Strong Positions

A strong position is:

Specific — Not "education needs improvement" but "K-12 schools should implement financial literacy requirements"
Arguable — Reasonable people can disagree
Evidence-based — You can find data and research to support it
Actionable — It leads to concrete recommendations

Weak Positions

❌ Too vague: "Climate change is bad"
❌ Not arguable: "Murder is wrong" (everyone agrees)
❌ Too extreme: "All homework should be banned forever" (not realistic)
❌ No evidence available: Positions based purely on opinion without data

Step 3: Write Your Thesis Statement

Your thesis should clearly state your position and preview your main supporting reasons.

Formula

[Issue] requires [your proposed action/position] because [reason 1], [reason 2], and [reason 3].

Examples

❌ Too vague: "Student mental health is an important issue for colleges."

✅ Specific and arguable: "Universities should be required to provide free mental health counseling for all enrolled students because untreated mental health conditions are the leading cause of academic failure, early intervention reduces long-term healthcare costs, and current campus counseling services are critically underfunded relative to student demand."

❌ Just a fact: "Student loan debt has increased 300% since 2003."

✅ A position: "The federal government should cap student loan interest rates at 3% and expand income-driven repayment programs because the current system disproportionately burdens low-income graduates, delays economic participation, and generates more government revenue through interest than the programs cost to maintain."

Step 4: Structure Your Position Paper

Standard Position Paper Structure

I. Introduction
   - Hook: Why this issue matters right now
   - Brief background on the issue
   - Thesis statement: Your clear position

II. Background / Context
   - History of the issue
   - Current state of affairs
   - Key stakeholders and their interests
   - Why the status quo is insufficient

III. Your Position (Argument 1)
   - First supporting reason
   - Evidence: statistics, studies, expert opinions
   - Analysis: why this evidence supports your position

IV. Your Position (Argument 2)
   - Second supporting reason
   - Evidence and analysis

V. Your Position (Argument 3)
   - Third supporting reason
   - Evidence and analysis

VI. Counterarguments and Rebuttals
   - Strongest opposing argument
   - Why it's insufficient or why your position is still stronger
   - Second opposing argument + rebuttal

VII. Recommendations / Solutions
   - Specific, actionable proposals
   - How they address the issue
   - Feasibility considerations

VIII. Conclusion
   - Restate thesis
   - Summarize key arguments
   - Call to action or final statement

Step 5: Write the Background Section

This section gives your reader the context they need to understand your argument. Keep it factual and objective — save your opinions for the position sections.

What to Include

Brief history of the issue (only what's relevant)
Current situation — What's happening now? What are the facts?
Key players — Who are the stakeholders?
Scale of the problem — Statistics that show why this matters

Example Background Paragraph

"Campus mental health has reached what the American College Health Association calls a 'crisis point.' In 2025, 44% of college students reported symptoms of depression, and 37% reported anxiety severe enough to interfere with academic performance — both figures representing nearly a threefold increase from 2010 (ACHA, 2025). Meanwhile, university counseling centers report average wait times of 3-6 weeks for an initial appointment, with 67% of centers reporting insufficient staffing to meet demand (Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2025). The result is a growing gap between student need and institutional capacity."

Step 6: Build Your Arguments

Each argument section should follow the same structure:

1. Make Your Claim

"Universities should be required to provide free mental health counseling because untreated mental health conditions are the single largest predictor of academic failure."

2. Present Evidence

"A 2025 study published in the Journal of American College Health found that students with untreated depression were 4.5 times more likely to drop out than their peers. Among students who received counseling, the dropout rate decreased by 62% (Rodriguez et al., 2025). Furthermore, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 64% of students who drop out cite mental health as the primary reason — ahead of financial concerns, academic difficulty, and family obligations (NAMI, 2025)."

3. Analyze and Connect

"These figures demonstrate that mental health is not a peripheral concern but a central determinant of academic success. When universities fail to provide adequate counseling, they are not merely neglecting student well-being — they are actively contributing to the dropout crisis that costs institutions billions in lost tuition revenue annually."

4. Transition

"Beyond the academic implications, the economic argument for universal campus counseling is equally compelling."

Step 7: Address Counterarguments

This is what separates a B paper from an A paper. Acknowledging and refuting opposing views shows intellectual honesty and strengthens your position.

The Three-Step Rebuttal

Acknowledge the opposing argument fairly
Challenge its logic, evidence, or assumptions
Reassert why your position is stronger

Example

"Opponents of mandated free counseling argue that the cost — estimated at $150-300 per student per semester — places an unsustainable burden on university budgets already strained by declining enrollment (Peterson, 2025). This concern is understandable but ultimately shortsighted. The same cost analysis shows that each student who drops out due to untreated mental health conditions costs the university an average of $26,000 in lost future tuition (NASPA, 2025). When framed as an investment rather than an expense, mental health counseling generates a return of approximately $4 for every $1 spent — a figure that doesn't even account for reduced liability, improved student satisfaction scores, and higher alumni giving rates."

Step 8: Write Recommendations

Position papers should propose specific, actionable solutions. Vague calls for "more research" or "increased awareness" are weak endings.

Good Recommendations Are:

Specific: Not "improve counseling" but "hire one full-time counselor per 1,000 students"
Feasible: Realistic given available resources
Measurable: You can tell whether they've been implemented
Timely: Include a timeline when possible

Example Recommendations Section

"Based on the evidence presented, this paper recommends the following actions:

Mandate a minimum counselor-to-student ratio of 1:1,000 at all accredited institutions, with compliance required within three academic years

Establish a federal grant program to subsidize counseling costs at institutions where more than 30% of students receive financial aid

Implement universal mental health screening during new student orientation, with follow-up referrals for at-risk students

Integrate mental health education into first-year experience courses to reduce stigma and increase help-seeking behavior"

Common Position Paper Mistakes

1. Choosing a Position You Can't Defend

Pick the side with stronger evidence, not necessarily the one you emotionally agree with.

2. Ignoring Counterarguments

A position paper without counterarguments reads as naive or uninformed. Address the best opposing arguments head-on.

3. Being Too Emotional

Position papers are persuasive but evidence-based. Avoid emotional manipulation; let the data speak.

4. Vague Recommendations

"Something should be done" is not a recommendation. Be specific about who should do what, when, and how.

5. Not Enough Research

Position papers are research-heavy documents. Aim for 8-15 credible sources minimum.

Position Paper Checklist

How Gradily Can Help

Position papers require extensive research, logical argument construction, and the ability to anticipate and counter opposing views. If you're struggling with any part of the process, Gradily can help.

Gradily helps you:

Research both sides of your issue efficiently
Build strong arguments with evidence-based reasoning
Address counterarguments convincingly
Write specific recommendations that demonstrate critical thinking
Polish your paper while maintaining your voice

Because taking a position is easy. Defending it well? That's where Gradily helps.

Final Thoughts

Position papers teach you something invaluable: how to argue with evidence instead of emotion. In a world of hot takes and uninformed opinions, the ability to stake a position, defend it with data, acknowledge opposing views, and propose actionable solutions is a superpower.

Whether you're writing for a political science class, Model UN, or a business strategy course, the process is the same: research deeply, think critically, and write clearly. Do those three things, and your position paper will stand on solid ground.

Now go take a stand. 🏛️

Editorial Standards