Second Writing Assignment
Writing a
Position Paper
Public health professionals often find that they must
advocate for a particular position on an important issue. A common way to do
this is by preparing a position paper. A position paper is a written document
in which the writer researches a controversial issue, and writes a brief,
persuasive paper that explains the position of an individual, organization, or
agency on the issue. A position paper is longer, more thorough, and more
persuasive than a fact sheet!
The primary goal of a position paper is to take part
in the larger debate on an issue by stating and supporting an opinion, and/or
recommending a specific course of action.
To persuade the intended audience, you must research
other papers on the issue, analyze them in depth, and develop your own arguments.
The best way for you to begin writing a position paper is through researching
the positions and arguments of other position papers (there are examples on the
next page). As you review these, ask yourself:
·
What are the
various positions on the issue? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?
Did the writers cite sources of information and provide a reference list?
·
Did the writers
explain and fairly analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the various sides of
the issue? How deeply into the argument did the writers go?
·
Did the writers
analyze the controversy and discuss what others said about it?
·
What are the
writers’ positions on the issue? What are the writers arguing that we, the
reader, should or should not do about it?
·
Did the writers
see the objections to or weaknesses in their own arguments? Did the writers
argue strongly for a specific point of view or direction?
·
Was the paper
persuasive? Why or why not?
The Assignment:
·
You
may select an issue that interests you, but you must include a minimum of four
(4) legitimate literature (not Wikipedia) references from peer-reviewed sources
(journals, books, etc.).
Here are some examples of position papers (right-click on the link, and choose
“open hyperlink”). Some are better than others, of course. Compare them, and
see what you think “works” and what does not work:
This is an Environment
& Health position paper on the 7th EU Environment Action Programme:
http://www.env-health.org/IMG/pdf/130411_heal_position_paper_7th_eap.pdf
Thess are the
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) position on papers on
several topics. The one on Recreational Waters is the one that you should
follow for format:
https://www.neha.org/policy
This is one
by the American Public Health Association (APHA) on Drinking Water Quality
and Public Health:
https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2014/07/14/13/22/drinking-water-quality-and-public-health-position-paper
Some position
papers represent humanitarian and religious organizations. Here is a
position paper on environmental stewardship and sustainable practices by
MEDAIR, a Christian humanitarian relief organization:
https://www.medair.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Environment-Position-Paper-.pdf
Here’s a
longer position paper by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
on the climate crisis and sexual and reproductive health and rights:
https://www.ippf.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/IPPF%20position%20paper%20The%20climate%20crisis%20and%20sexual%20and%20reproductive%20health%20and%20rights_Jan2021.pdf
Some position
papers are quite lengthy (much longer than yours should be). These are
often called “white papers.” Here is a position paper by the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights:
https://www.southernenvironment.org/uploads/words_docs/Civil_Rights_Commission_Statutory_Enforcement_Report2016.pdf
There are many
other position papers available on the internet.
How to Write a
Position Paper*
The purpose of a position paper is to
generate support on an issue. It describes a position on an issue and the
rationale for that position. The position paper is based on facts that provide
a solid foundation for your argument. 1
In the position paper you should:
•
Use evidence to support your position, such as statistical evidence or dates
and events.
•
Validate your position with authoritative references or primary source
quotations.
•
Examine the strengths and weaknesses of your position.
•
Evaluate possible solutions and suggest courses of action.
Choose an issue where there is a clear
division of opinion, and which is arguable with facts and inductive reasoning.
You may choose an issue on which you have already formed an opinion. However,
in writing about this issue you must examine your opinion of the issue
critically.2
Prior to writing your position paper,
define and limit your issue carefully. Social issues are complex with multiple
solutions. Narrow the topic of your position paper to something that is
manageable. Research your issue thoroughly, consulting experts and obtaining
primary documents. Consider feasibility, cost-effectiveness and
political/social climate when evaluating possible solutions and courses of
action.3
The following structure is typical of a
position paper:
•
An introduction
•
Identification of the issue
•
Statement of the position
•
The body
•
Background information
•
Supporting evidence or facts
•
A discussion of both sides of the issue
•
A conclusion
•
Suggested courses of action
• Possible solutions
•
Literature citations
The introduction should clearly
identify the issue and state the author’s position. It should be written in a
way that catches the reader’s attention.
The body of the position paper may
contain several paragraphs. Each paragraph should present an idea or main
concept that clarifies a portion of the position statement and is supported by
evidence or facts. Evidence can be primary source quotations, statistical data,
interviews with experts, and indisputable dates or events. Evidence should
lead, through inductive reasoning, to the main concept or idea presented in the
paragraph. The body may begin with some background information and should
incorporate a discussion of both sides of the issue.
The conclusion summarizes the main
concepts and ideas and reinforce, without repeating, the introduction or body
of the paper. It could include suggested courses of action and possible
solutions.4
The Literature Cited contains
complete citations to your sources of information.
1 Tucker, Kerry,
& Derelian, Doris, Rouner, Donna. (1997). Building the case: Position
papers, backgrounders, fact sheets, and biographical sketches. In Public
relations writing: An issue-driven behavioral approach (pp.79-85). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
2 Axelrod, Rise B.,
& Cooper, Charles R. (1993). R. Position paper (pp.446-451). In Reading
critically, writing well: A reader and guide. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
3 Hansen, Kristine.
(1998). Public position papers and opinion pieces. In A rhetoric for the
social sciences: A guide to academic and professional communication (pp.
301-306). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
4 Kashatus, William
C. (2002). Present history: Position and local history research papers. In Past,
present and personal (pp. 46-48). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Here
is a citation to an article in a peer-reviewed scientific journal:
Brown,
K.G, Ross, G,L. 2002. Arsenic, Drinking Water, and Health: A Position Paper of
the American Council on Science and Health. Regulatory Toxicology and
Pharmacology, 36(2): 162-174.
https://doi.org/10.1006/rtph.2002.1573.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230002915734)
(last visited 6/20/23)
If
you provide the URL for an article as it appears online, then you also must
include the date that you last visited the site. Web sites change over time!
____________________________
*This exercise is
based in part on an assignment from the School of Public Health at Xavier
University.
The
Grading Rubric
The grading rubric for
this assignment will work like this:
·
An excellent, well-written, thoughtful, accurate
assignment that makes excellent use of health, science, and other information =
23-25 points.
·
A very good, well-written, thoughtful, accurate
assignment that makes very good use of health, science, and other information=
21-22 points.
·
A mediocre, moderately well-written, thoughtful,
accurate assignment that makes good use of health, science, and other
information = 17-20 points.
·
Any essay that is not a moderately well-written,
thoughtful, accurate assignment that makes good use of health, science, and
other information = 0-16 points.
·
Note that only a perfect assignment will be
awarded 25 points!
Learning
objectives for the Second Writing Assignment:
In completing this assignment, you
will:
1. Develop
skills in information literacy (ability to search for, assess, and evaluate
sources of information) and critical thinking.
2. Analyze
and compare published reviews of the scientific literature about a health
condition to determine what is known, what remains unknown, and areas of
controversy.
3. Summarize
findings into a concise fact sheet aimed at a specific target audience.
A
Note on Writing
For many students, particularly
science students, this assignment may be first substantial writing assignment
you have completed for a long time. Please note that the clarity with which you
present the information will be considered in the success of this assignment.
It is not a bad idea to have someone else review your position paper before you
submit it, especially if you are not practiced in graduate-level writing.
Correctly Citing
your Sources and Plagiarism
Please
be aware that all writing assignments will be reviewed using software programs
that detect plagiarism (including, but not limited to, turnitin.com). Any
student who turns in a paper that includes work that is not their own (i.e.,
plagiarized) will receive a score of zero on the assignment, and will be
subject to the disciplinary procedures outlined in the Elmhurst University
Student Handbook.
Correctly citing the source of your
information is key to this assignment, science writing, and academic discourse.
Failure to do so, even if unintentional,
is plagiarism, as discussed in the Elmhurst University Student Handbook. If you
are not familiar with plagiarism, and exactly what constitutes plagiarism,
please review the websites listed below, or contact your professor. Many
students who plagiarize do so inadvertently, because they do not understand how
to correctly cite sources. It is your responsibility to understand and follow
the rules regarding citation and plagiarism.
Resources for this
assignment:
Pubmed- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
Google Scholar- https://scholar.google.com/
My note: I have attached my rough draft you may use it and add to it, the Professor has said that I must include a lot more information. I have attached some of the peer reviewed journal articles, he really does not like anything other than peer reviewed journal articles and is very keen on that.
