Common Position Paper Mistakes

The 7 Deadly Position Paper Sins

After reviewing thousands of position papers across NMUN, HMUN, and WorldMUN, chairs consistently flag these errors:

1. Writing as Yourself, Not Your Country

Wrong: 'I believe nuclear weapons should be abolished.' Right: 'The Republic of the Marshall Islands, as the site of 67 US nuclear tests between 1946 and 1958, maintains that the total elimination of nuclear weapons is a moral and legal imperative.'

2. Restating the Background Guide

Chairs wrote the guide. They know what it says. Add original research.

3. Vague Solutions

'The international community should work together' is not a solution. Name the mechanism, funding, and timeline.

4. No Citations

Every claim needs evidence. 'Most countries support this treaty' — which countries? Show the voting record.

5. Ignoring Your Country's Actual Position

Don't project your personal views onto your country. Saudi Arabia does not support the same human rights framework as Sweden. Research what your country has actually said and voted for.

6. Only Covering One Topic

Many conferences assign two topics. Covering only one is an automatic downgrade at most conferences.

7. Missing the Deadline

A late position paper is often treated the same as no position paper. At NMUN, it disqualifies you from awards.

Going Deeper

Mastery of this topic comes from sustained practice in committee, debate room, and study circle, not from any single lesson. The most successful MUN delegates, debate competitors, and political-research practitioners treat each new concept as a building block for the next conference, tournament, or written brief.

Connecting to Practice

When you encounter this concept in committee, ask yourself three questions:

1. How does this apply to my current position? A delegate representing Brazil on UNSC reform applies political-economic concepts differently than one representing the United States. A debate competitor preparing the affirmative case on a particular topic applies analytical frameworks differently than one preparing the negative.
2. What evidence supports my application? Mastery requires moving beyond abstract concept to specific cited evidence. Build the habit of finding 2-3 primary sources that ground your application of any concept.
3. What counter-arguments would the strongest opposition raise? Anticipating opposition is the single highest-leverage skill in competitive activities. The best delegates and debaters prepare for the strongest version of opposing arguments, not the weakest.

Building Your Resource Library

Develop a personal library of go-to sources for the concepts and issues that matter most for your work. For most MUN and debate competitors, the core library includes:

• Primary documents: UN resolutions, treaty texts, government statements relevant to your committee or topic.
• Quality secondary sources: think-tank reports (CFR, Brookings, CSIS, Chatham House), peer-reviewed journal articles, recognized news outlets.
• Historical context: foundational books and articles on your topic area.
• Recent developments: news in the last 90 days that affects your position.

Why Sustained Practice Matters

The difference between bronze-level and gold-level performance in MUN and debate is not raw intelligence — it is hours of structured practice. Recognized champions typically practice 5-10 hours per week between competitions, not the night before. Build sustainable practice habits, and your performance will improve cumulatively across seasons.