A position is the general viewpoint that an essay writer adopts in answering the question or on the issue/topic at hand (if there is no specific'question'). It is the main point of your essay. Other terms used for this are standpoint, viewpoint, and angle. An essay's position may be stated in several ways: from the most to least abstract, from one side of an argument to another, or even simply in favor of or against some idea or policy. These are only some examples; others include while, despite, even though, as well as who, what, where, when, why, and how. The position taken by an essay writer is reflected in the structure of the essay. There are two basic forms of essays: analytical and expository. An analytical essay explores different aspects of a single subject or theme, while an expository essay offers a single view of a topic covered by many sources. The position taken by the essay writer determines which form the essay will take. If the essay argues for or against something, it is analytical; if it describes something or someone, they view them critically; if it questions the validity of a concept, theory, or idea, then it is expository. Each position has its advantages and disadvantages.