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Position Papers

Position Papers should be written in MLA formatting, using MLA citations, and following additional guidelines listed below. A sample position paper is available here.

MLA & Basic Formatting

  • The font should be Times New Roman.

  • The font size should be 12 point.

  • The entire paper should be double-spaced.

  • The entire paper should be justified (except the header, which should be left-aligned).

  • The paper should have margins of 1 inch (top, bottom, left, and right).

  • Contains page numbers

  • The entire paper should be between 2 and 3 pages (excluding the Works Cited page).

  • Contains three main paragraphs.

Header

Depending on your specific role, the contents of your header may change. All headers should follow the same order as listed.

If you are representing a country or nation:

  • The full name of the governing body (E.g., "Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee").

    • In the context of historical committees, "Historical" is the governing body.

  • The full name of the committee (E.g., "Burning & Cursing: The Rise of Symbolic Speech").

  • The full name of the country/nation (E.g., "The People's Republic of China").

  • The flag of the country/nation is in the top right corner.

    • If you are in a historical committee, it is highly recommended that you use the time-accurate flag (if possible).

If you are representing a person:

  • The full name of the governing body.

  • The full name of the committee.

  • The full name of the person as shown in the committee brief (E.g., "President Ronald Wilson Reagan").

  • A flag in the top-right-corner is not necessary.

First Paragraph

Your first paragraph should introduce the reader to the topic being discussed. It is the shortest of the three main paragraphs. It also contains:

  • A brief history of the topic

  • A brief history of the committee

  • Answers the question of "What are we doing here today?"

Second Paragraph

Your second paragraph should discuss the position of your country/role. It is in the middle in terms of length of the three main paragraphs. It also contains:

  • A brief history of your country or role's relation to the topic.

  • A detailed explanation of your country or role's position on the topic.

  • Reasons why your country/role feels this way on the topic.

Third Paragraph

Your third and final paragraph should discuss your solutions to the issue at hand. It is longest of the three main paragraphs. It also contains:

  • Reasons as to why past solutions failed.

  • Reasons why this solution will work.

  • Possible ways the solution could be implemented.

Works Cited

Again, your paper should be written using MLA 9th Edition formatting. This includes the Works Cited page. All citations should be properly referenced in the paper. Citations can be generated using MyBib.

Rubric

Below is the scoring sheet used by chairs when grading position papers. Our conference utilizes a Check-System of grading.

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Upper Darby Model United Nations

  • UPPER DARBY MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE

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