Learners will prepare a Position Paper, 2 to 4 pages in length, on an issue of real and substantive concern to them. Please note that an excellent sample outline can be found on the site listed below. Simon Fraser University School of Communication (n.d.). Writing a position paper. http://www.sfu.ca/cmns/130d1/WritingaPositionPaper.htmLinks to an external site.
A position paper is a written form of debate. It presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue. Your goal in a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and your reasoning defensible. You want to address all sides of an issue and present 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, refute the counterclaims, and demonstrate that you are well informed on the issue overall. In choosing your issue, consider these questions: 1) Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and uncertainty? 2) Can you identify at least two distinctive positions? 3) Are you personally interested in advocating for one of these positions? 4) Can you manage the scope of the issue?
