1. WRITING YOUR POSITION PAPER
Dr. Afxendiou
Sachem North High School

2. Why do they want them?
So that staff members can read them and get a feel for the direction the debate will take.
It is the best way to have well prepared delegates.
Well prepared delegates means better debates and higher quality of discussion.

3. Why would you want a position paper?
Definition says it all:
an essay detailing your country's policies on the topics being discussed in your committee; it is your country’s response to the topic.
Forces you to write an essay detailing your country's policies on the topics being discussed in your committee.
helps you organize your ideas so that you can share your country's position with the rest of the committee
You can use your position paper as your opening remarks

4. NHSMUN Position Paper directions
“Position papers should be (at minimum) four double-spaced, 12-point type (font) pages with 1-inch margins per topic. Any academic citation style is acceptable (NHSMUN Background Guides use a modified version of Chicago style), but citations are mandatory. Position papers without citations will not be eligible for awards.” p. 3

5. Position Paper Specifications
5 paragraphs.
Proper heading
Your writing must be informed by research (don’t say things that you are not sure about. If you are not sure, look it up or ask one of your teammates)
If you can make connections to other countries it will make your paper stronger
Show that you are knowledgeable

6. The process…
If you feel you don’t want to follow these directions, that you can write a good, persuasive and defensible position paper without them, feel free to follow your instincts (but it must be written well)

7. Your introduction
Identify the issue - Give the background of the topic (has to go beyond the background guide).
Discuss the importance of the topic and the problems that will be encountered in finding a solution.
Question 1: What is going on, what are we discussing?
Question 2: Is this a new topic or an ongoing one?
Question 3: What problems will stand in the way of a viable solution?

8. SAMPLE POSITION PAPER PARAGRAPH 1 - INTRODUCTION
International Labor Organization Romania’s position on Globalization and Development In the past two decades the rapidly growing world trend has been toward globalization. With the emergence of the internet as a means of communication and the increasing accessibility of international trade physical barriers are not the only barriers withering away. Protective tariffs are plummeting and free trade agreements are becoming more prevalent. Romania appreciates that globalization creates favorable situations for expansion of commercial as well as economic assets. In the past year Romania has seen a foreign direct investment (FDI) increase of 199%. Inward FDI increased from EURO 234 million in 2005 to EURO 699 million in However, Romania realizes that increased globalization does not automatically produce more equality.

9. YOU MUST SHOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE TOPIC!
PARAGRAPH 2
State your country’s position - Include major events that shape current policy
YOU MUST SHOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE TOPIC!
Question 1: Where does [Pakistan-your country] stand on this issue?
Question 2: What evidence (statistics, quotes) can you give to support [Pakistan’s-your country’s] stand?
Question 3: Has the UN already taken any actions, passed resolutions, made recommendations?
Question 4: Who are the main players?

10. PARAGRAPH 3 Recommendations for solutions
Short term (alleviate the problem for now)
Long term (how do we keep it from recurring)
Question 1: What ideas does [Pakistan’s-your country’s] government support? Why does it support those ideas?
Question 2: What is needed to be done immediately? Who is able to act?
Question 3: What is needed to be done to take care of the problem for a long time, perhaps forever? What is [your country’s] proposal as to what is to be done in the long term, by whom and how?
Question 4: Does your country have any support (from other countries, from past UN resolutions, decisions, etc.)?
Question 5: Who presents the biggest opposition? Who has opposing views?

11. HOW CAN YOUMAKE YOUR POSITION PAPER STRONGER?
Answer all the questions of the 3 paragraphs that I gave you as a guide (but don’t limit yourself to just them)
Focus your research on what is emphasized in the background guide. Sometimes it will contain questions to consider. Make sure that your position paper answers these questions
Know the opposing argument
Know the opposing countries
Know who your allies are
Know what actions have already been taken, what discussions/negotiations were held
Stream line it, make it shorter without losing your arguments – write and re-write
Read it out loud to yourself