A position paper, or persuasive essay in common language, intends to raise a standpoint for an issue and tries to prove or disprove it through persuasion. It may be a current environmental issue or a hot debate on a political scandal. Whatever you choose for your discussion, it must be supported by strong supporting points. Apart from your chosen topic, you must build it in a strong way that your arguments make an impact on the readers.

Here are few tips that will guide you to the path of writing a strong position paper on a topic:

Know your target readers. Understanding your intended readers and their emotional buttons will help you write a strong persuasive essay. An essay aimed at a known audience develops a far better style and tone than one without. This helps you mold your writing appropriately and according to the needs of the readers.

Generate ideas for your topic by creating mind maps and thought bubbles. Idea generation methods allow you to unlock your imaginative side and bring in your inner thoughts onto the paper. Write down all the things you have in the mind about a topic and then cluster them into a visual organiser. Developing a visual organiser with related elements such as thesis, supporting evidence as well as reasons and facts help you come up with powerful ideas for your discussion.

Discuss the significance of the issue, explaining the readers its gravity. For you to get the reader’s attention, you must develop the whole discussion in a way that can best reflect your standpoint on the topic and appeals to the reader’s emotions. Putting in a surprising fact, quote or an anecdote attracts the readers and put their attention to the intent of the discussion.

Starting the body paragraphs with a topic sentence, focus each on a supporting point that reinforces your standpoint. For example, a paper on aviation safety can give reason like “safety of people must be the primary concerns for the aviation industry.” Provide at least 2-3 evidences to solidify your argument.

Research the opinions of other people about the issue and shed light on them. Use your knowledge and research to counter-argue any opposing viewpoint. By looking into all the aspects and with thorough analysis of the issue, you can develop the right tone and style of your essay.

Finally, condense your discussion to the conclusion. Conclude by reminding the readers about the gravity of the issue and what risks it pose to the concerned stakeholders, how others think about it and how it can it be tackled effectively.