How do you choose a topic for a position paper?

Top 10 Tips For Writing a Strong Position Paper

Tips for PhD students & Postdocs

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As scientists and researchers, you might be familiar with objective research papers, which tend to consider both sides of an argument and present findings based on facts. But are you aware of another important piece of academic writing known as the position paper? A position paper takes a controversial issue and focusses on one aspect of an argument, providing valuable insights into how to interpret issues where science is ambiguous. It can also provide a format for scientists and researchers to put forth solutions to resolve problems. Similar to objective research papers, position papers are still rooted in facts, statistics, evidence, and data. Additionally, they further enable authors to take a position on what these facts and data are telling us. In this article, we will discuss how to structure a position paper and share expert tips on writing a great position paper that clearly presents an argument or opinion.

Select a Topic for Your Paper

Your position paper centers around a topic that is supported by research. Your topic and position have to hold up when challenged, so it's helpful to research a few topics and pick the one you can best argue, even if it may not reflect your personal beliefs. In many cases, the subject matter and your topic are not as important as your ability to make a strong case. Your topic can be simple or complex, but your argument must be sound and logical.

100 Argument or Position Essay Topics With Sample Essays

• Author:

  Virginia Kearney

• Updated date:

  Dec 9, 2021

Virginia has been a university English instructor for over 20 years. She specializes in helping people write essays faster and easier.

Learn how to write an argument or position essay and generate the perfect idea for your paper. With 100 possible topics offered, as well as clear examples, you'll write your paper in no time.

7-Step Guide on How To Write a Position Paper

By Indeed Editorial Team

April 29, 2021

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Professionals in various fields such as medicine, academics and politics sometimes work to persuade others about ideas, new initiatives or beliefs. One effective way to persuade people is with a position paper. Ample research and supporting evidence goes into a position paper to garner support around a specific topic. Learning how to write this type of essay and support your position can help you become more persuasive. In this article, we explain what a position paper is and how professionals use them in their careers with a step-by-step guide on how to write your own.

16 Position Paper Topics That Pick a Side

The topics I’ve included below allow you to take a position (either for or against a subject). I’ve divided them into categories for easy reference and have also included links to several sample essays.

Here are 16 position paper topics that pick a side.

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Here are 16 position paper topics that pick a side.

How To Write the Perfect Position Paper

Opinions are like cars. Lots of people have them, but very few know how they actually work. At some point in high school, or college, you will be required to have an opinion on something. That’s the easy part. The hard part is providing that your opinion has merit. That’s the basic premise behind writing a position paper, or a persuasive essay. This is the time-tested academic tradition where you are required to stake out a meaningful position on an important subject and, subsequently, to provide relevant and verifiable evidence that your position is grounded in solid fact.

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