The Position Paper is the climax of the preparation process for any Model United Nations conference, and represents the summarized, researched, and representative view of your state on the particular issues your council is addressing. Remember, the guidelines for position papers may differ depending on the council you are in: check your background guide and email your chair in order to confirm the specific parameters of your position paper.
The Basic Structure
- One page,
- A header with the DELEGATE NAME(S), COUNTRY, COUNCIL, AND SCHOOL
- Optional idea: Trying sprucing up your header with appropriate color, national flags and/or seals, watermarks, or other official looking edits – it shows your chair you worked hard and makes your position paper stand out.
- The topic name clearly stated
- Three paragraphs per topic:
- The first paragraph should be an introduction to the topic from the perspective of your nation. What is the history of the issue according to your nation? Why is this issue important? This is the shortest and least important section of the position paper.
- The second paragraph should be an analysis of the topic from your country’s perspective. What does your nation generally think about the issue? What are things that have worked in the past? What are things that have not worked? This is most likely the longest part of the position paper, extremely important, and the place where you will utilize most of your research.
- The third paragraph should be a discussion of solutions your nation is proposing to solve the problem. What are these solutions? Why and how would they work? How will you solve any problems that might arise in implementing these solutions? This is where you can let your creativity and research combine, and begin formulating the kinds of proposals that will later come to fruition in your resolutions.
Helpful Hints
- Remember to not use first person pronouns (I think, I believe, we feel) – instead, use the state name (Canada argues, the People’s Republic of China argues)
- Use the active, not the passive, voice
- Avoid flowery language
- Remember that your position paper is the first impression your chair will have of you, and it is a great way to help summarize your thoughts on the topics to be discussed. Therefore, go beyond your research when you are writing it.
