Transcript HOW TO: Position Paper

HOW TO: Position Paper
By: Trina Sarkar
1. Research
• 1st step – read your chair’s topic synposis
• Bestdelegate.com – great site for a variety of topics!
• Things to think about:
- What is (my country’s) policy on (my topic)?
- What caused this issue?
- What are some solutions that have been conceived or
implemented already?
• Make sure your research is current!
• Take notes and print out articles – bring to committee
2. Position Paper Format
Committee: General Assembly (example)
Topic: Female Infanticide (example)
Country: USA (example)
• i. Background of topic
• ii. Past UN Actions/Policies
• iii. Country Policy and Solutions
• Should be 1-2 pages in length
3. Background of Topic
• Should be the shortest section of the essay
• Formal language – this is a FORMAL essay
• Things to cover – the causes of the issue, some statistics (# of deaths,
years that this issue has been a problem, etc.), effects of problem
• Do not be too dramatic – reads a little cheesy otherwise
• Tone: factual, informative, OBJECTIVE
4. Past UN Action/Policy
• Include:
- past UN Resolutions
- any relevant NGO (non-governmental organizations) or
committees that have been involved in this issue
- actions taken by these committees
• Tone: Formal, Objective
• Length (1/2 – ¾ page)
5. Country Policy and Solutions
• For policy - include:
- Country’s viewpoint: what stance do they take on the issue?
- Country policy: Has the country implemented any laws that are related to this topic?
- -(ex: Oppression of Women in the Middle East - The United States of America has
implemented several laws that are designed to protecting the rights and liberties of
American women. ‘Then give examples of these laws’)
- Write in the 3rd Person – do not assume that you are representing your nation (NO “I”)
5. Country Policy and Solutions
• For solutions – include:
- Past solutions that your country has created and implemented
regarding this issue
- If no past solutions have been created – PERFECT! Put your
thinking cap on and come up with some novel, unique solutions
- Take the basics of another solution and add in your own
country’s spin on it
6. Things to Keep In Mind
• REMINDER – 3rd Person, Formal Tone!
• For the Solutions part – acronyms work! (P.E.R.T. – Plan, Educate, etc.)
• Make sure that Country Policy/Solution is the longest and most welldeveloped section
• Turn in your position paper as soon as you can – looks better to the
chairs if you are on-time and not sending in papers just before the
deadline
• You can win research awards and at some conferences, position
papers are taken into the grading – SO IF IT IS REQUIRED – DO IT.
THAT IS ALL :)