You're probably staring at a blank Google Doc. It’s blinking at you. That little black cursor is basically mocking your inability to pick a side on a complex issue. We’ve all been there, trying to figure out how to structure an argument without sounding like a robot or a chaotic ranter. If you’re hunting for a solid example of a position paper, you aren’t just looking for a template. You're looking for a roadmap of how to win an argument on paper.
It's about conviction. Honestly, most people mess this up because they try to be too "fair" to both sides. A position paper isn't a balanced news report. It's a lawyer’s closing argument. You pick a hill. You stay on it. You defend it with everything you’ve got.
What a Position Paper Actually Is (and Isn't)
A lot of students and professionals get confused. They think a position paper is just a fancy essay. It isn't. Think of it more like a strategic manifesto. You identify a specific, debatable issue—something like universal basic income or the ethics of AI-generated art—and you plant your flag.
If there’s no room for disagreement, it’s not a position paper. It’s just a fact sheet. Writing that "the sun is hot" is a waste of everyone's time. Writing that "the government should subsidize solar panels for every household in the Midwest" is a position. See the difference? One is a snooze-fest, the other is a fight waiting to happen.
A Realistic Example of a Position Paper: The Remote Work Debate
Let's look at a concrete scenario. Imagine you're writing about the "Right to Disconnect" laws that have been popping up in places like France and Ontario. This is a perfect topic because it’s messy. It’s polarizing.
In a real-world example of a position paper on this topic, your introduction wouldn't just say "remote work is growing." Boring. Instead, you'd start with the psychological toll of the "always-on" culture. You’d cite the 2021 study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health that linked blurred work-life boundaries to clinical burnout.
The Core Argument
Your thesis might look like this: To protect worker mental health and long-term productivity, the federal government must implement "Right to Disconnect" legislation that prohibits employers from penalizing staff for ignoring non-emergency communications outside of contracted hours. That’s a mouthful, but it’s specific. It’s got teeth.
Why the Evidence Matters
You can’t just say "people are tired." You need the heavy hitters. You’d bring in data from the World Health Organization regarding overwork. You’d mention how productivity actually plateaus after a certain number of hours. You're building a wall of logic that the opposition can't just kick down with an anecdote about "hustle culture."
Dealing With the "Other Side" Without Losing Your Mind
Here is where most people trip up. You have to acknowledge the counter-argument. If you ignore it, you look weak or uninformed. But you don't just give them the floor. You bring up their point specifically to dismantle it.
Take our remote work example. The opposition will say: "But what about global teams? What about urgent deadlines?"
You acknowledge it. Sorta. You say, "Critics argue that rigid disconnection laws stifle flexibility in a global economy." Then, you immediately hit back. "However, this assumes that 'flexibility' requires 24/7 availability, which is a logistical failure of management, not a necessity of the market."
You’re basically saying, "I hear you, but you’re wrong, and here is why." It’s a power move.
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The Structure That Doesn't Feel Like a Textbook
Forget the five-paragraph essay you learned in middle school. It's too stiff. A high-quality example of a position paper flows more naturally.
- The Hook: Start with a real-world problem. A person who lost their job because they didn't answer an email at 9:00 PM on a Saturday. Make it human.
- The Stakes: Explain why this matters now. In 2026, with the integration of AI and remote tools, the line between "home" and "office" has basically vanished.
- The Evidence Blocks: Don't just list facts. Tell a story with the data. Mix short, punchy sentences with longer, more explanatory ones. It keeps the reader awake.
- The Refutation: This is your "yes, but" section. Keep it respectful but firm.
- The Call to Action: What should the reader do? What should the government do? Don't just fade out. Go out with a bang.
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Credibility
People often use "I feel" or "I believe." Stop that. It’s your paper; we know you believe it. Using "I" makes your argument sound like an opinion. Removing "I" makes it sound like an objective truth.
Instead of saying "I believe remote work is better," say "Remote work consistently outperforms traditional office models in employee retention metrics."
Another huge mistake is being too broad. Don't write about "Climate Change." Write about "Carbon Taxes on Domestic Short-Haul Flights." The narrower the scope, the deeper your argument can go. You want to be a needle, not a blunt hammer.
Real-World Impact: Why This Skill Matters
Whether you're in a boardroom or a classroom, the ability to synthesize a position is a superpower. It’s about clarity. In a world full of noise and "both-sides-ism," someone who can point to a path and back it up with a coherent example of a position paper is the person people actually follow.
Look at the work of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Their position papers on digital privacy are legendary. They don't just complain about surveillance; they break down the technology, cite the Fourth Amendment, and offer specific policy changes. They are the gold standard for using a position paper to actually change the world.
Practical Steps to Build Your Own Position Paper
- Pick a topic where you actually have skin in the game. If you don't care, it’ll show. Your writing will be dry and mechanical.
- Research the opposition first. Seriously. Before you write a single word of your own argument, find the three strongest points against you. If you can't answer them, your position is weak.
- Find a "smoking gun" statistic. Every great position paper has one or two numbers that are undeniable. Find yours.
- Draft the conclusion first. Sometimes knowing where you’re going helps you build the road to get there. What is the one thing you want the reader to do when they finish?
- Read it out loud. If you run out of breath during a sentence, it’s too long. If you sound like a robot, add some grit. Use words like "frankly" or "crucial."
A position paper isn't a static document. It's an intervention. You are stepping into a conversation and demanding to be heard. Use your evidence like a shield and your logic like a sword.
When you're ready to start, focus on the tension. Where is the conflict? That's where the best writing happens. Don't be afraid to be provocative. As long as you have the facts to back it up, being bold is always better than being "safe."
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Start by outlining your three most aggressive points. Don't worry about the "polite" introduction yet. Get the meat of the argument down while you're still fired up about the topic. The polish can come later; the passion has to be there from the start. Once you have those core pillars, look for the most recent data—nothing older than two or three years—to ensure your "position" isn't based on an outdated reality. Then, write your opening hook as if you’re trying to grab the attention of someone who is about to close the tab. Make them stay. Make them listen.