Everything you need to research, write, and submit a strong position paper for HTSMUN VI — what it is, what to include, how to format it, and how to send it in.
Before a single gavel falls, every serious delegate has already done the hard part: figuring out what their country actually thinks. A position paper is where you write that down. It is a concise statement of your assigned nation’s position on each topic your committee will debate — grounded in that country’s real history, interests, and foreign policy, not your own personal opinions.
Think of it as your committee’s entrance exam and your own cheat sheet rolled into one. Writing it forces you to research your country and your topics deeply enough that, once you’re in the room, you can speak with authority, anticipate the blocs you’ll join, and propose solutions your delegation would genuinely support.
A good position paper does three things: it shows the dais that you’ve done your homework, it gives you a clear plan for the day, and it makes you a sharper, more credible voice in caucus. Delegates who write strong papers almost always perform better in committee — the paper is the preparation.
All delegates seeking award eligibility must submit a position paper for every committee assignment. Here’s where it goes.
When the portal opens, you’ll upload your paper here as a single PDF per committee. Until then, save this page — we’ll update it the moment submissions go live.
These are the typical standards for an HTSMUN position paper. Final requirements are confirmed with your registration materials — always defer to those if they differ.
Keep each topic to a single side of one page. Concise and well-organized beats long and padded every time.
Use a standard, readable serif — Times New Roman 12pt or similar — single-spaced, black text.
At the top of each paper, list your country, committee, and delegate name (and school).
One-inch (2.5 cm) margins on all sides. Don’t shrink them to cram in extra text.
Zero plagiarism. Papers must be written by the delegate; AI-generated or copied papers are disqualified.
Add a short works-cited or footnotes section. Citing credible sources strengthens your argument and your integrity.
Typical guidelines — final requirements confirmed with registration.
A strong paper moves through three parts for each topic — background, your country’s policy, and the solutions you’ll champion in committee.
Briefly frame the issue and then pivot to your country. Why does this topic matter to your nation? How has it been affected — geographically, economically, historically?
State your nation’s official stance and back it up with evidence: votes, treaties, statements, and programs your government has actually supported.
End with what you actually want the committee to do. Offer specific, realistic measures your country would support — this is what carries into resolutions.
The difference between a paper that lists facts and one that wins committees comes down to a handful of habits.
Go past the encyclopedia. Read your country’s actual UN votes, foreign-ministry statements, and the texts of treaties it has signed. Primary sources make your stance unmistakably authentic.
You are not writing as yourself — you are writing as your nation’s representative. Set aside your personal opinions and argue what your government would argue, even when you’d personally disagree.
“Promote international cooperation” says nothing. Name the mechanism: the fund, the monitoring body, the timeline, the partner states. Specific proposals become resolution clauses.
One page per topic is a feature, not a limit. Cut filler, lead with your position, and make every sentence earn its place. Chairs read dozens of these — respect their time.
Spelling and grammar signal effort. Read it aloud, run a spell-check, and have a teammate look it over. Clean writing makes the dais take your arguments seriously.
Even after you submit online, print your paper and bring it to committee. It’s your reference for opening speeches, caucus, and every “what’s our position on this?” moment of the day.
HTSMUN recognizes delegates for the full arc of their performance — and a strong position paper is part of that picture. Dais teams use papers to gauge a delegate’s research, preparation, and command of their country’s policy before debate even begins.
A clear, well-argued, original paper signals that you came ready. While awards reflect everything you do across the day — speeches, diplomacy, and resolution-writing — submitting a thoughtful position paper is one of the simplest ways to put yourself in contention.
Position papers come after you’ve secured a committee assignment. If you haven’t registered yet, that’s where to start — then come back here to prepare. Questions? Reach us at info@htsmun.com.