Position Paper Tips

Hello delegates!

Just wanted to check in and offer a bit more guidance on your position papers.

As a reminder, our committee, CSTD, will be using standard Position Paper format detailed in the committees page on the BMUN website (https://www.bmun.org/committees).

Besides the general format, we wanted to offer some tips on the research process and the formation of your paper, and help you write the best possible paper!

Research


The biggest favor you can do for yourself in the writing process is to really apply time and effort into understanding the topics beforehand. Luckily, your generous dias has written to key to beginning this process: your topic synopsis! Not only do we recommend reading this synopsis, but we hope that you will interact with it. Ask questions, make connections, reflect on what you learned. Familiarizing yourself with the synopsis is the key to a smooth research experience.

After reading the synopsis, don’t stop there! This piece is just a stepping stone for the research we hope you will complete. Maybe read some additional case studies, look at some current events relating to your topic… ultimately, the sign of a well-researched paper is taking the information within the synopsis a step further.

Our advice: don’t simply reiterate the synopsis, interact with it. Your position papers should be composed of information learned both within and outside the scope of the information we have given you. We know the information on the synopsis, after having interacted with it for the past half-year, so seeing new information and perspectives truly sets some papers apart from the rest!

For more guidance on the research process for your country, refer to this page on the BMUN website.

Writing


After researching, you should have a good sense of what you want to include in your paper. We suggest making an outline of this important information first, then adding commentary on why these points are important. A sign of a great position paper is one that not only contains important information, but elaborates on it and provides clear and effective commentary.

Be sure to leave yourself enough time to write and revise (don’t hesitate to ask for help or an extension if needed)... and please make sure to properly cite your sources. Citation is very important in letting us know that your understanding of the topic and your country's perspective is based on fact-checked information.

For more guidance on the research and writing process, refer to this page on the BMUN website.

Reminder that Position Papers are due on February 12th to be considered for the Research Award, and February 19th to be considered for any committee award. Again, we’d be happy to grant an extension if necessary!

Feel free to reach out to us at cstdbmunlxxi@bmun.org for any questions or concerns throughout your research and writing process AND interact with the blog if you’d like!

We are so excited to see what you bring to committee, and are here to help you throughout this process!

Best,

Naman Satish

CSTD, BMUN 71

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