Knowing the Arguments:
How to argue in a position
paper
Below, the goal, objective, scope, and product for a position paper are specified along with a suggested strategy for writing a position paper.
Goal
Critical awareness of your own position, critical understanding of other positions, willingness to consider and to engage other positions.
Communication objective
Reasoned argument for a position showing awareness of alternative positions and reasoning
Product
A written document that explicitly argues and aims to persuade
Scope
A ‘position paper’ might offer a ‘big picture’ of conditions, causes, or consequences relating to a problem. Or, it might offer a ‘little picture’ of significant particulars. As a document, a position paper might run to book length in some circumstances. Typically, it is briefer, two to three pages.
Strategy
Consider your position in relation to others:
make a list of the known positions on the problem
ask and answer the questions ‘what does my position have in common with others on this list?’ and ‘how does my position differ from or conflict with others on the list?’
note specific commonalities, differences, and conflicts of values, assumptions, or ideas between your position and other positions
identify potential grounds for cooperation and for competition
Next you'll want to review the specific tasks involved in writing a position paper.