Membuat Kertas Posisi Untuk Pertemuan / Sidang Internasional

The following material explains how to produce a position paper (sometimes called a point of view paper). A template is provided that outlines the major parts of a good position paper. Keep in mind, however, that this is just a guide.


Like a debate, a position paper presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid and defensible. Ideas that you are considering need to be carefully examined in choosing a topic, developing your argument, and organizing your paper. It is very important to ensure that you are addressing all sides of the issue and presenting it in a manner that is easy for your audience to understand. Your job is to take one side of the argument and persuade your audience that you have well-founded knowledge of the topic being presented. It is important to support your argument with evidence to ensure the validity of your claims, as well as to refute the counterclaims to show that you are well informed about both sides.

Issue Criteria
To take a side on a subject, you should first establish the arguability of a topic that interests you. Ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you will be able to present a strong argument:

Is it a real issue, with genuine controversy and uncertainty?

Can you identify at least two distinctive positions?

Are you personally interested in advocating one of these positions?

Is the scope of the issue narrow enough to be manageable?

Analyzing an Issue and Developing an Argument

Once your topic is selected. While you may already have an opinion on your topic and an idea about which side of the argument you want to take, you need to ensure that your position is well supported. Listing the pro and con sides of the topic will help you examine your ability to support your counterclaims, along with a list of supporting evidence for both sides. Supporting evidence includes the following:


Considering your audience and determining your viewpoint
Once you have made your pro and con lists, compare the information side by side. Considering your audience, as well as your own viewpoint, choose the position you will take.

Sample Outline
I. Introduction

___A. Introduce the topic

___B. Provide background on the topic to explain why it is important

___C. Assert your view of the issue.

II. Counter Argument

___A. Summarize the counterclaims

___B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims

___C. Refute the counterclaims

___D. Give evidence for argument

III. Your Argument

___A. Assert point #1 of your claims

_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion

_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)

___B. Assert point #2 of your claims

_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion

_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)

___C. Assert point #3 of your claims

_____1. Give your educated and informed opinion

_____2. Provide support/proof using more than one source (preferably three)

IV. Conclusion

___A. Restate your argument

___B. Provide a plan of action but do not introduce new information

Paragraphs

Creating clear paragraphs is essential. Paragraphs come in so many sizes and patterns that no single formula could possibly cover them all. The two basic principles to remember are these:
1) A paragraph is a means of developing and framing an idea or impression. As a general rule, you should address only one major idea per paragraph.
2) The divisions between paragraphs aren’t random, but indicate a shift in focus. In other words you must carefully and clearly organize the order of your paragraphs so that they are logically positioned throughout your paper.

LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP

TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION
Similarity

also, in the same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly
Exception/Contrast

but, however, in spite of, on the one hand ... on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet



Sequence/Order

first, second, third, ... next, then, finally



Time

after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then
Example
for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate

Emphasis
even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly

Place/Position
above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there

Cause and Effect
accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Additional Support or Evidence
additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then

Conclusion/Summary
finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, in summary