How to Write a Position Paper

BY: DILLON PHAM

Four Main Parts:

1.Country Profile2.Background of Topic3.United Nations Involvement4.Country Policy and Actions

Part One: Country Profile• Super easy!

• Google “CIA World Factbook” and input your researched country

• Use information provided on this website and input it into the position paper rubric provided on the MVHS MUN website

• Keep all information in same format as the rubric

• Note: Not all information can be found on CIA World Factbook. For information not found, just google it!

Country Profile Example

CIA World Factbook Link: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html

Rubric: C:\Users\Dillon\Downloads\Schoolio\Position-Paper-Format.doc

Part Two: Background of Topic

• MLA format: Double spaced, Paragraph format, Size 12 font, Times New Roman, Insert Page Numbers

• Answer three main questions:• Historical background of the topic• Who is directly involved• Why is this a problem to the world?

Background of Topic Tips

Advice: • DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. PLAGIARIZISM IS ACTUALLY

CHECKED BY THE TEACHERS WHO GRADE THE PAPERS.

• Google your topic. Read through a couple websites as well as the topic synopsis provided by the conference you will be attending. Then, in YOUR OWN WORDS, summarize the topic.

• Be brief. The background shouldn’t be too long considering the chairs already have a thorough background of the topic.

Part Three: United Nations Involvement

• Same MLA format as Part Two• Three Vital Questions:

• How did the UN get involved?• Organs, committees, agencies or NGOs of

the UN that are involved.• UN action: resolutions passed, committees

set-up, organizations established, peacekeeping forces, etc.

UN Involvement TipsTo make your position paper stand out:• Reference past UN documents and

resolutions, shown in:• Quote lines directly from resolutions onto

your position paper• (Be sure to properly cite them at the end)

• Write exact names of resolutions, such as “Resolution 1544”

Part Four: Your Country’s Policy and Actions

• Again, same MLA format as before

• Four Main Points:

• 1. Your country’s involvement with the topic.

• 2. Your country’s position on the topic

• 3. What actions has your country taken to solve the problem in the past. (resolutions sponsored, aid sent, peacekeeping troops sent, etc.)

• 4. Possible solutions that your country plans to propose

Your Country Policy and Actions Tips

• Research your country policy • Check what the policy of your country and the

countries around you (known as Regional Blocs) • Check whether or not your country signed or

supported resolutions related to your topic• Make sure to put in well thought out proposals.

This is the most important part of a position paper, the part where you can get the most points to win research awards!

Final Thoughts or Tips

• IMPORTANT: INCLUDE A WORKS CITED IN PROPER FORMAT

• Use Easybib.com for proper format on citations

• Actually do the position paper; it will help you during the conference

• Using sophisticated language will score extra points with conference position paper graders

• Average position papers should take a max of a couple hours to write; don’t spend too long on them

Good Luck!