If you are an academic wondering about the purpose of a position paper, remember this: having excellent research is not enough—you need to know how to “position” it effectively!
A position paper is more than just academic writing. It can transform research into influence, data into decisions, and ideas into action. Unlike neutral research reports that simply present findings, position papers are persuasive because they aim to convince readers to accept a particular viewpoint or course of action.
Writing an effective position paper is a valuable skill that can significantly enhance your career advancement and scholarly impact.
A simple answer to your question of “What is a position paper?” is that it is an academic document that presents a clear stance on a specific issue, supported by evidence and logical argumentation.
The purpose of a position paper is broadly to establish your expertise on a topic, demonstrate your ability to synthesize complex information, and showcase your capacity for persuasive communication. In academia, such papers are important when you are responding to a call for proposals, participating in a scholarly debate, or advocating for research funding. They are therefore valuable when you want to be heard at conferences and policy-making forums.
Broadly, a position paper outline includes an introduction, thesis, arguments, counterarguments, and conclusion.
Position Paper Outline
Now that you have seen a position paper format example and a sample outline for a position paper, let’s explore how to create a position paper.
The first step in writing a position paper is choosing a topic that allows you to take a clear, defensible stance. Start with issues you genuinely care about, such as current events, social debates, educational policies, or scientific developments that spark your curiosity or concern. A topic you’re invested in is easier to explore critically and argue convincingly.
Use Paperpal Research to quickly explore how your topic is discussed in peer-reviewed literature. By reviewing evidence-backed arguments and opposing viewpoints, you can identify key themes, recent developments, and gaps in the debate. As you find relevant studies, save them directly to your Citation Library to build an organized reference base that supports your position as you move into drafting.
Once you’ve explored the topic and reviewed different perspectives, the next step is to decide the position you will take and plan how you will present your argument. At this stage, focus on identifying the stance that is most defensible based on evidence and determining the key points that support it.
Use Paperpal’s Outlines feature to generate a structured outline for your position paper. Enter your subject area and briefly explain what issue you’re addressing and why. You can also upload notes or research materials to give Paperpal context, helping it produce an outline that aligns with your position and research focus.
Once your outline is in place, the next step is to write your thesis statement. A strong thesis should be specific, assertive, and grounded in the evidence you’ve reviewed, rather than vague or purely opinion-based. Use Paperpal Write to draft and refine your thesis statement. You can also draft and refine counterarguments based on the perspectives you uncover during your research. You can enter your outline or key ideas, and Paperpal will help convert them into clear, academically appropriate sentences. The Write feature also helps improve clarity and tone, ensuring your thesis is precise, confident, and aligned with the formal expectations of a position paper.
Step 5: Edit, Rewrite, and Strengthen Your Arguments
Use Paperpal Rewrite to refine your position paper by paraphrasing informal language into an academic tone, trimming lengthy sentences for clarity, and improving the flow of complex arguments without altering their meaning. Use Paperpal Edit to correct grammatical errors, strengthen technical language, and finalize your position paper so it is clear, coherent, and ready for submission.
Before submitting your position paper, run Paperpal’s Manuscript Check, which performs 30+ language and technical checks to identify grammar issues, improve academic tone, ensure clarity, and flag inconsistencies. This final review helps ensure your position paper is polished, professional, and ready for academic evaluation.
Before understanding how to write a position paper, let’s examine the purpose of a position paper.
Position papers can foster critical thinking by requiring the ability to thoroughly investigate and evaluate credible sources, synthesize arguments, and anticipate opposing views. Position papers amplify influence because they position the author as a thought leader.
Students benefit from writing position papers because it hones their research, writing, and analytical abilities. It prepares them for engagement at debates and other forums. Importantly, it enables them to develop persuasive communication and problem-solving skills. Meanwhile, professionals can benefit from such skills for career advancement and networking. Publication in journals and other professional platforms also increases visibility.
Below is a position paper format example (note that the data are fictional).
Advocating for Universal Basic Income to Combat Economic Inequality
Introduction
In an era marked by rapid automation, precarious gig economies, and widening wealth gaps, economic insecurity has become a defining challenge of the 21st century. Over 60% of Americans now live paycheck to paycheck, while advancements in artificial intelligence threaten to displace millions of jobs globally. Against this backdrop, the concept of a Universal Basic Income (UBI)—a guaranteed, unconditional monthly payment to all citizens—has gained traction as a radical yet pragmatic solution. This paper argues that implementing UBI is not only a moral imperative to alleviate poverty but also a strategic investment in societal stability and innovation.
Thesis Statement
Governments must adopt Universal Basic Income programs to dismantle systemic inequality, empower individuals, and foster economic resilience in the face of technological disruption.
Arguments
Counterarguments
Critics contend that UBI is fiscally unfeasible and discourages work. Detractors often cite the 1970s Seattle Income Maintenance Experiment, where reduced work hours were observed among recipients. However, modern pilots, such as those in Stockton, California, show no significant decline in employment, with many recipients using funds to secure better-paying jobs. Concerns about cost can be mitigated through progressive taxation, redirecting subsidies from inefficient welfare bureaucracies, and taxing tech giants benefiting from automation.
Others argue that the universality of UBI is wasteful, as even the wealthy receive payments. Yet, means-tested programs often exclude the neediest due to complex eligibility criteria. Universality eliminates stigma, ensures broad political support, and simplifies administration.
Conclusion
The urgency of economic inequality and AI-driven displacement demands bold solutions. UBI is not a panacea, but it is a critical step toward reimagining an economy that prioritizes people over profit. Policymakers must act swiftly: launch large-scale pilots, reform tax codes to fund UBI, and engage communities in designing equitable implementation. The choice is clear: uphold a status quo of insecurity, or embrace UBI as a foundation for a just and adaptive society. The time for action is now.
This position paper format example shows a structured approach to advocate for UBI, balancing evidence with rebuttals. It can be adapted to other topics by substituting data, examples, and counterpoints relevant to the issue. This position paper sample demonstrates how a well-crafted position paper combines advocacy with rigorous evidence, clear structure, and acknowledgment of opposing viewpoints.
How can you make your position paper strong? Avoid these classic mistakes that weaken position papers:
To Wrap Up
Whether you’re a student developing critical thinking skills or an academic professional seeking to advance your career and scholarly impact, effective position papers serve as powerful tools for translating research into influence and action. The strongest position papers build persuasive cases that can bring about actual change in academic discourse, policy discussions, and professional forums.
We hope that the tips and position paper samples in this post will inspire you to start writing one right away!
Your topic should be specific enough to address thoroughly within your word limit. Choose a topic where a reasonable number of people might disagree; if there is universal consensus, there will be no position to argue. Then, conduct a comprehensive literature review to understand the current state of debate around your chosen issue. Finally, consider the audience and context for your position paper.
Begin by conducting a comprehensive literature review to understand the current state of debate around your chosen issue. Identify the key stakeholders, main arguments on different sides, and gaps in existing research or policy. This preliminary analysis will help you determine where your voice can add value to the conversation.
Typically, a position paper is a short document, usually 1–2 pages long.
For a position paper to be persuasive overall, the thesis should be specific, actionable, and debatable; the evidence should be credible and recent; arguments and counterarguments should be supported by evidence; and the structure should be logical. Finally, it goes without saying that the language should be clear and professional.
The author’s personal opinion forms the basis for the argument. However, it should not dominate the assignment. A position paper should not stem purely from a passionate personal reaction; it should be rooted in critical evaluation.
A position paper focuses on advocating for a specific stance or policy and proposes actionable solutions. Meanwhile, an argumentative essay focuses on persuading the reader that a particular viewpoint is valid and aims to prove a claim using logic and evidence.
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