How to Write a Position Paper Step by Step for Students

If you’ve ever been asked to write a position paper, you might have felt a bit overwhelmed. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Position papers are a staple in academic writing, designed to showcase your ability to articulate a clear, well-supported argument on a specific issue. Unlike argumentative essays that focus on proving a point regardless of your personal stance, position papers allow you to express your informed opinion while grounding it in solid evidence.

Think of a position paper as a formal declaration of your stance on a topic, backed by research and a critical analysis of opposing viewpoints. It’s about persuading your readers that your perspective is valid and worth considering. It differs from a purely argumentative essay by emphasizing your personal, yet informed, viewpoint.

What Are the Objectives of a Position Paper?

The main objectives of a position paper are to:

• Articulate a Clear Stance: Clearly state your position on a specific issue.
• Support Your Argument: Provide credible evidence, facts, statistics, and examples to back up your claims.
• Demonstrate Critical Thinking: Analyze the issue from multiple perspectives, including opposing viewpoints.
• Persuade Your Readers: Convince your audience that your position is valid and well-founded.
• Show Research Competence: Demonstrate your ability to conduct thorough research and cite sources properly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Position Paper

A position paper is a structured essay that presents an arguable opinion on an issue, supported by evidence and logical reasoning. It requires you to take a clear stance, back it with research, address counterarguments, and persuade the reader of your viewpoint. This guide breaks down the process into manageable steps to help you produce a strong, well-organized paper.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft a compelling position paper:

1. Choose a Topic

• Select a topic that interests you and allows for a debatable stand.
• Ensure there is sufficient research available to support your position.
• For example, you could write about the positive effects of religious practices on mental health, focusing on a specific religion like Buddhism, as we did in the example assignment.

Additional Tips for 2026: In today’s academic landscape, consider timely issues like the impact of AI on mental health, climate change policies, or social media regulation. Topics with recent studies (post-2020) tend to stand out, as they show awareness of current global challenges.

2. Conduct Thorough Research

• Gather information from credible sources, such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
• Take notes and organize your findings to support your arguments.
• Remember to use sources that are timely and relevant.

Additional Tips: Use databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed, or university library access. Aim for a mix of primary sources (original studies) and secondary sources (reviews/meta-analyses). In 2026, tools like advanced AI-assisted search (while citing human-verified sources) can help locate peer-reviewed articles efficiently.

3. Develop a Strong Thesis Statement

• Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that articulates your position on the issue.
• Your thesis statement should be debatable and introduce your analytical argument.
• For example: “Buddhist meditation practices, particularly mindfulness and focused attention techniques, significantly enhance mental well-being by reducing stress, improving emotional regulation, and fostering a greater sense of inner peace.”

Additional Tips: Place your thesis at the end of the introduction. Ensure it’s specific, focused, and preview the main supporting points.

4. Create an Outline

• Organize your thoughts and arguments into a logical structure.
• An outline will help you stay focused and ensure a smooth flow of ideas.

Suggested Outline Structure:

• Introduction: Hook + Background + Thesis
• Body Paragraph 1-3: Main arguments with evidence
• Body Paragraph 4: Counterarguments and rebuttals
• Conclusion: Restatement + Summary + Final impact/call to action
• References

5. Write the Introduction

• Start with a hook to grab the reader’s attention.
• Provide background information on the topic.
• Present your thesis statement.
• For example, start with a statistic about the mental health crisis, and then lead into how buddhism can help.

Additional Tips: Common hooks include startling statistics, quotes, anecdotes, or questions. Keep the introduction concise (10-15% of total length).

6. Present Your Position

• Clearly state your position and provide scholarly evidence to support it.
• Use facts, statistics, and examples to strengthen your arguments.
• Analyze the evidence and explain how it supports your position.
• As we did in the example, use evidence that meditation lowers cortisol, and changes the structure of the amygdala.

Additional Tips: Each body paragraph should follow the PEEL structure:

• Point (topic sentence)
• Evidence (cite sources)
• Explanation (analyze how it supports your thesis)
• Link (connect back to thesis/next point)

7. Address Counterarguments

• Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and provide evidence to refute them.
• Demonstrate that you have critically examined the strengths and weaknesses of opposing perspectives.
• Find research that supports the counter argument, and then find stronger research that refutes it.

Additional Tips: This section shows intellectual honesty and strengthens your credibility. Use phrases like “While some argue that…,” followed by “However, evidence suggests…”

8. Reassert Your Position

• Restate your thesis and summarize your main arguments.
• Reinforce the strongest evidence you presented.
• If you have extra evidence from other sources, this is a good place to add it.

Additional Tips: This transitional section bridges the counterarguments and conclusion, reminding readers why your position prevails.

9. Write the Conclusion

• Summarize your key points and explain the significance of your argument.
• Offer a final thought or call to action.
• Explain why your position matters in the modern world.

Additional Tips: End powerfully—suggest implications, propose solutions, or inspire further thought. Avoid introducing entirely new information.

10. Cite Your Sources

• Properly cite all sources using your required citation style (APA, MLA, or Chicago).
• Include a reference page with a complete list of cited sources.

Additional Tips for 2026:

• Use citation management tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote for efficiency.
• Double-check for AI-generated content flags—always paraphrase and cite properly.
• Include a DOI or URL for online sources when possible for easy verification.

Final Polish & Checklist

• Proofread: Check grammar, spelling, flow, and clarity.
• Word Count: Meet assignment requirements.
• Formatting: Follow guidelines (font, margins, headings).
• Objectivity: Maintain formal, academic tone—avoid overly emotional language.
• Plagiarism Check: Run through Turnitin or similar tools if available.

Parts of a Position Paper

A typical position paper includes the following sections:

• Introduction: Introduces the topic, provides background information, and presents the thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs (Your Position): Presents your arguments and supports them with evidence.
• Counterarguments and Refutation: Addresses opposing viewpoints and refutes them with evidence.
• Reassertion of Your Position: Restates your thesis and reinforces your main arguments.
• Conclusion: Summarizes key points and offers a final thought.
• Reference Page: Lists all cited sources.

Position Paper Outline (APA, MLA, or HAVARD).

Here’s a sample outline to guide you, you can check out position paper examples on our blog:

• I. Introduction
  • A. Hook/Attention Grabber
  • B. Background Information
  • C. Thesis Statement
• II. Your Position
  • A. Assertion of Position
  • B. Scholarly Evidence for Argument 1
  • C. Scholarly Evidence for Argument 2
  • D. Scholarly evidence for Argument 3.
• III. Counterarguments and Refutation
  • A. Summary of Counterargument 1
  • B. Scholarly Evidence for Counterargument 1
  • C. Refutation of Counterargument 1
  • Repeat A-C for other Counterarguments.
• IV. Reassertion of Your Position
  • A. Re-assertion of Thesis
  • B. Reinforcement of Evidence
  • C. Further Evidence/Support (Optional)
• V. Conclusion
  • A. Summary of Main Points
  • B. Significance of the Argument
  • C. Call to Action/Final Thought
• Reference Page

30 Great Position Paper Topics to Choose (2025)

Religious Conflict, Prejudice, or Injustice

1. Religious Discrimination (Workplace Focus):

• The Impact of Dress Code Policies on Sikh Employees: A Case for Religious Accommodation in the Workplace.
• Denying Employment Based on Religious Dietary Restrictions: An Examination of Discriminatory Practices in the Food Service Industry.
• The Systemic Exclusion of Muslim Professionals from Leadership Positions: A Study of Implicit Bias in Corporate Hiring.
• Religious Discrimination in Healthcare: The Refusal of Services Based on Religious Beliefs and its Impact on Patient Rights.
• The Discrimination Faced by Atheist Employees in Faith-Based Organizations: A Call for Inclusive Workplace Policies.

2. Religious Bias (Social Impact Focus):

• The Role of Media Portrayal in Perpetuating Bias Against Islamic Communities: A Critical Analysis of News Coverage.
• Religious Bias in Educational Settings: The Impact of Implicit Bias on the Academic Performance of Minority Religious Students.
• Social Media’s Contribution to the Spread of Religious Bias: An Analysis of Online Hate Speech and its Consequences.
• The Bias Against Interfaith Families: Navigating Social and Cultural Challenges in a Religiously Diverse Society.
• Religious Bias in the Criminal Justice System: Examining Disparities in Sentencing and Treatment of Religious Minorities.

3. Religious Stereotypes (Media/Cultural Focus):

• The ‘Exotic Other’: How Hollywood’s Portrayal of Eastern Religions Perpetuates Harmful Stereotypes.
• The Stereotyping of Jewish Characters in Television: An Analysis of How ‘Othering’ Fuels Antisemitism.
• The ‘Dangerous Muslim’ Trope: How News Media Reinforces Stereotypes and Fuels Islamophobia.
• Stereotypes of Evangelical Christians in Political Discourse: The Dangers of ‘Othering’ in a Divided Society.
• The Stereotypical Portrayal of Indigenous Spirituality: Cultural Appropriation and the Erasure of Sacred Practices.

Positive Aspects of Religion and Spirituality

1. Building Community:

• Interfaith Community Gardens: Fostering Dialogue and Understanding Through Collaborative Action.
• The Role of Religious Community Centers in Providing Social Support for Immigrant Populations.
• Online Religious Communities: Building Connection and Belonging in the Digital Age.
• Religious-Based Volunteer Programs: Strengthening Community Through Acts of Service.
• The Impact of Religious Choirs and Music Programs on Fostering Community Cohesion.

2. Religious Institutions as Charities:

• The Historical Context of Islamic Zakat and its Impact on Modern Charitable Practices.
• The Role of Faith-Based Hospitals in Providing Healthcare to Underserved Communities: A Case Study of [Specific Hospital].
• Jewish Federations and Their Impact on Social Welfare: An Examination of Tzedakah in Action.
• The Salvation Army’s Disaster Relief Efforts: A Case Study of Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid.
• Religious Organizations and Environmental Stewardship: Promoting Sustainable Practices Through Faith-Based Initiatives.

3. Positive Effects of Religion and Spirituality:

• The Role of Prayer in Promoting Resilience and Coping Mechanisms During Times of Grief.
• The Impact of Religious Rituals on Fostering Social Cohesion and Reducing Loneliness.
• The Benefits of Religious-Based Support Groups for Individuals Recovering from Addiction.
• The Role of Religious Art and Music in Cultivating a Sense of Awe and Wonder.
• How Religious Teachings Promote Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Societies.

Final Thoughts

Writing a position paper might seem daunting, but by following these steps, you can create a well-structured and persuasive argument. If you want to get samples of essays done by top experts, please contact us. Remember to choose a topic you’re passionate about, conduct thorough research, and present your position with confidence. If you want to get your essay done by an expert, you can also get in touch with us; Coursepivot.com is the best website to do your assignment.