Position Papers

Position Paper Writing Tips: 

• ALWAYS cite any opinions that are not your own and facts that are not common knowledge.

• If you have any references to cite, they should be entered as footnotes at the bottom of the page AND added to a bibliography at the end of the whole paper. 

• When representing a state, do not use the first person ("I believe") instead use "the delegation of ___ beliefs," etc. 

• Use the active voice (avoid passive voice).

• Avoid complex or flowery language. 

Structure 

Header

• Committee

• Delegate Name (your actual name)

• Position 

• Delegation

• Committee Topic

First Paragraph

• Introduce the topic from the perspective of your position. 

• Consider the questions 

  • What is the history of the issue in relation to your position? 

  • Why is this issue important?

• This is the shortest and least important section

Second Paragraph

• Analyze the topic from your position and through a multilateral perspective

• Consider the questions:

  • What does your position generally think about the issue at hand? 

  • What policies have previously succeeded and failed on a national and international scale?

Third Paragraph

• Discuss solutions that you are proposition to solve the problem

• Consider the following:

  • What solutions would your position propose to solve the situation at hand? Why and how would these solutions work?

  • How will you solve any problems that might arise in implementing these solutions?