How to Write a Position Paper By: Dillon Pham 

Four Main Parts: Country Profile Background of Topic United Nations Involvement Country Policy and Actions

Part One: Country Profile Super easy! Google “CIA World Factbook” and input your researched country Use information provided on this website and input it into the position paper rubric provided on the MVHS MUN website Keep all information in same format as the rubric Note: Not all information can be found on CIA World Factbook. For information not found, just google it!

Country Profile Example CIA World Factbook Link: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/th e-world-factbook/geos/us.html Rubric: C:\Users\Dillon\Downloads\Schoolio\Positi on-Paper-Format.doc

Part Two: Background of Topic MLA format: Double spaced, Paragraph format, Size 12 font, Times New Roman, Insert Page Numbers Answer three main questions: Historical background of the topic Who is directly involved Why is this a problem to the world?

Background of Topic Tips Advice: DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. PLAGIARIZISM IS ACTUALLY CHECKED BY THE TEACHERS WHO GRADE THE PAPERS. Google your topic. Read through a couple websites as well as the topic synopsis provided by the conference you will be attending. Then, in YOUR OWN WORDS, summarize the topic. Be brief. The background shouldn’t be too long considering the chairs already have a thorough background of the topic.

Part Three: United Nations Involvement Same MLA format as Part Two Three Vital Questions: How did the UN get involved? Organs, committees, agencies or NGOs of the UN that are involved. UN action: resolutions passed, committees set-up, organizations established, peacekeeping forces, etc.

UN Involvement Tips To make your position paper stand out: Reference past UN documents and resolutions, shown in: Quote lines directly from resolutions onto your position paper (Be sure to properly cite them at the end) Write exact names of resolutions, such as “Resolution 1544”

Part Four: Your Country’s Policy and Actions Again, same MLA format as before Four Main Points: 1. Your country’s involvement with the topic. 2. Your country’s position on the topic 3. What actions has your country taken to solve the problem in the past. (resolutions sponsored, aid sent, peacekeeping troops sent, etc.) 4. Possible solutions that your country plans to propose

Your Country Policy and Actions Tips Research your country policy Check what the policy of your country and the countries around you (known as Regional Blocs) Check whether or not your country signed or supported resolutions related to your topic Make sure to put in well thought out proposals. This is the most important part of a position paper, the part where you can get the most points to win research awards!

Final Thoughts or Tips IMPORTANT: INCLUDE A WORKS CITED IN PROPER FORMAT Use Easybib.com for proper format on citations Actually do the position paper; it will help you during the conference Using sophisticated language will score extra points with conference position paper graders Average position papers should take a max of a couple hours to write; don’t spend too long on them

Good Luck! 