Increase employee satisfaction and productivity.
Increase employee satisfaction and productivity.
Assignment Instructions: You will take the topic from your proposal and write a white paper where you will present your
findings and support for your recommendation. While I will be a gatekeeper audience (grading
the paper), you will also have real-world audiences—audiences that your argument is directed to.
The lecture “What is a White Paper?” just defines what a white paper is. The white paper
assignment officially assigns the white paper and discusses content.
The following guidelines will help you understand how you can effectively organize the content
of your white paper. Your decisions will dictate how clearly your information is presented.
Consult the course schedule for this assignment\\\’s due date. Note—not completing this major
assignment greatly reduces your chances of passing this course. Also, you MUST submit
your white paper as a Word document only.
White Paper Length
It is human nature for most to pick the path of least resistance (such as writing as few pages as
possible). While I hesitate to give arbitrary page lengths (a paper needs what a paper needs and
no more and no less), if your white paper is only six pages or fewer, it has a great chance of
failing. There is a lot that must be included in this assignment (including a cover page, table of
contents, references, etc.), and depending upon the needs of the topic (some topics need more
visuals; some papers have surveys or interview transcripts to place in the appendices, etc.). I
also expect some secondary sources (from peer reviewed publications) for this assignment. How
many you need and what purpose they serve is up to you. Keep in mind, this is partly where
your ETHOS comes from.
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White Paper Components and Formatting Overview
All white papers written for this class will have the following components:
Table 1. White Paper Components
Section White Paper Components
Front Matter
1. Cover Page
2. Title Page
3. Table of Contents
4. List of Illustrations
5. List of Tables NOT REQUIRED; MAY BE NECESSARY
6. Glossary/List of Symbols (if more than one page, place in the back
matter)
7. Abstract
8. Executive Summary DON’T DO THIS/JUST DO AN ABSTRACT
9. Acknowledgments NOT NECESSARY SINCE IT’S YOUR WORK
Body See the discussion in the White Paper Body Components section below.
Back Matter
1. Glossary/List of Symbols (if just one page, place in the front matter)
2. Reference
3. Appendices YOU MAY NOT NEED ONE. IT IS SUPPLEMENTAL.
Front Matter Details
Keep in mind that while you will repeat some information in the report, do not just merely copy
and paste: each section has a distinct purpose and may have different primary and secondary
audiences. Thus, you may need to rephrase, rewrite, and sometimes expand on what you have
written before to address the needs of each section and its audiences.
Cover and Title Pages
The first page of the front matter is the cover page. A cover page protects the document, presents
the organization’s branding, and for confidential or secret reports, shields the nature of the report
from accidental viewing by unauthorized readers.
The title page gives the title of the report, who it is for, who wrote it, and when it was written.
Title pages can aid in building ethos and gaining the interest of the audience. Choose a title that
conveys the specific purpose of your report.
Table of Contents
Having a correct and properly formatted table of contents is necessary for accessibility. It also
aids your documents’ professional appearance. Microsoft Word has tools for creating a table of
contents.
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List of Illustrations/ List of Tables
A list of illustrations helps readers to quickly locate important illustrations (images, graphs, etc.).
Page numbers for each illustration must be included (and must be accurate). If you only have
tables (rows of numbers, etc.), rename this section List of Tables. It’s permissible to have a list
of illustrations AND a list of tables though. If you have both lists, you can put them on the same
page (if they’ll fit on a single page!).
Glossary (Includes Symbols)
A glossary is required. Place in the front matter if the glossary is only one page long, otherwise,
place in the back matter. Include words, symbols, and abbreviations that your audience needs to
understand to be persuaded by your paper. Analyze your primary audience—what words,
symbols, and abbreviations will they be familiar with, and which will they not be?
To aid multicultural and non-subject matter expert readers, define abbreviations, acronyms, and
symbols used in your document, including those commonly used (as found in an American
English standard dictionary) with some exceptions:
• Do not include an abbreviation, acronym, initialism, or symbol used only once in a
report; however, they still must be spelled out or defined when they are used.
• Do not include common name prefixes or titles (such as Dr., Mr., Ms., or Mrs.), or
common name suffixes (such as Jr. or Ph.D.).
• Do not include contractions (which should only be in your document because a quote
contains them or you are discussing contractions),
• Do not include MLA, URL, or common Latin abbreviations (such as e.g., i.e., etc., a.m.,
and p.m.).
• Do not include standard mathematical operators (? or ÷, for example) in the list of
symbols. However, do include special operators and functions.
• Do not include trademarked terms in the list of symbols.
• Some acronyms are now accepted as words in their own right; these acronyms do not
need to be included (inclusion is optional). For example, the noun “scuba” started as an
acronym (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) but is now used as a word.
Abstract
As your audiences for the abstract are subject-matter-experts familiar with the subject, technical
language is allowed here. The abstract should be a descriptive or topical abstract; thus, do not
explain the criteria used, but do give a brief description of the problem or opportunity, the major
findings, your methodology, and your solution or recommendation(s).
Word count for the abstract (includes keywords) should be between 100 and 300 words. Format
the body of the abstract as one paragraph. Include a Keywords list (in a horizontal listing) terms
that you expect a subject-matter-expert researcher to likely use when searching for your report
electronically.
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Abstracts, executive summaries, and introductions each serve different audiences and have
somewhat different purposes. Depending upon the audience and the purpose of the white paper,
some white papers do not have an abstract, while others do not have an executive summary. You
will only need an abstract for this white paper assignment. A common mistake by student
writers is to treat abstracts, summaries, and introductions as similar writings. This is a major
error. Your textbook has an example of an abstract and an executive summary written on the
same topic (thus good for comparison). It is generally easier to write an abstract and/or executive
summary last.
Acknowledgments
The author(s) of a report must acknowledge every person or agency, not on the authoring team
that contributed to the project the report covers, including those that contributed economic,
material, and workforce resources. To leave this section out when others have contributed to the
report is considered at best bad form, and at worst plagiarism. However, acknowledgments
normally do not include editors, proofreaders, or fact-checkers. In the “real world,” you will
normally need to have one. You will NOT need an acknowledgment page for this assignment
since it will be your own, original work.
Body Details
For the body of the white paper, you have some flexibility as different topics will need somewhat
different treatments. One of these flexibilities involves the wording of section titles.
Paper Title and Section Title Wording
White papers have more flexibility for writing level-heading titles than technical reports. For
example, instead of “Problem Statement,” use something like “Technology’s Impact on
Productivity.” Use clear, specific, and informative headings—headings that represent what is in
that section and which respond to your audiences’ needs. Do not use jargon or buzzwords unless
your primary audience is a highly technical audience. Keep titles parallel in construction. Finally,
for your main title you may want to consider search engine optimization: keywords your primary
audience will most likely use to find your document; also, keep in mind that many search engines
will display only 50 to 60 characters of your title.
Make sure you format section titles (level headings) correctly. Incorrectly formatted level
headings can cause confusion in navigating the document or understanding its hierarchy and
greatly degrade the professional appearance of the document (and, thus, your ethos as a writer).
Organization Schemes
White papers have more flexibility for organizing the body than technical reports. Some common
organization schemes for white papers are shown in Table 2 below (not an exhaustive list by any
means). You can add components from one example with another if that suits your topic better.
For example, in the organizational scheme in example 2, you could add Future
Direction/LongTerm Focus from the organizational scheme in example 1, if it fits the discussion
of your topic.
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Detailed discussion on the main body features common to all white papers (and, thus, required),
follow Table 2.
Table 2. White Paper Body Organization Examples
Example Components (numbered—with Arabic numerals—items are level-1 sections)
1 1. Abstract
2. Introduction
(brief introduction of the issue, the context of the report)
3. Background/Causes of the Problem/Defining the Problem
(why the problem exists; may have subsections for each major cause; may
discuss why the standard way of doing things causes/has problems)
4. Effects of the Problem [if this section is less than one page, can combine with
#3 above as a subsection of #3]
(why we should care about the problem)
5. Innovation (Solution/Technology or New Opportunity/Policy/Strategy)
(how it solves the problem or takes advantage of the opportunity; can organize
this as three subsections: introduction, advantages, and disadvantages;
criteria analysis would likely be in this section)
6. Concerns/Considerations/Obstacles/Oppositions
(any disadvantages; how to overcome or lessen the disadvantages, if possible;
feasibility study would likely be in this section, though feasibility study could
be in the preceding section instead)
7. [if applicable] Transitioning to the Innovation
8. [if applicable] Future Direction/Long-Term Focus
(overall future direction of the problem or solution)
9. “Altar Call”/Call to Action/Recommendation
(essentially a final sales pitch for an innovative solution or an innovative
opportunity; however, remember that white papers are not sales pitches in the
traditional sense: a reader should feel informed, not sold)
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2 1. Abstract
2. Introduction/Background
(brief introduction of the issue including relevant background; why the need
for the innovation exists; this is for papers that are not making a
recommendation for an innovation, but, instead, making a recommendation for
a specific application of the innovation or specific approach for taking
advantage of an opportunity)
3. Applications of the Innovation/Approaches to the New Opportunity
A. First Application/Approach/Strategy
(how the application of the innovation or approach solves the problem
or takes advantage of the opportunity; can organize this as three
subsections: introduction, advantages, and disadvantages)
B. Next Application/Approach/Strategy…
4. Which Application/Approach is the Best?
(Criteria Analysis and Feasibility Study/Test)
5. Results/Conclusion/Recommendation
(recommendation of one application/approach over others)
3 1. Abstract
2. Introduction /Background
(background or history of the problem, importance of addressing the problem)
3. Current Solutions/Approaches/Policy [standard way of doing things discussed
generally/overview]
4. Alternative Solution(s)/Innovation(s)/Approach(es) [can be just one]
A. First Solution/Innovation/Approach
(how it solves the problem or takes advantage of the opportunity; can
organize this as three subsections: introduction, advantages, and
disadvantages)
B. [If applicable] Next Solution/Innovation/Approach
5. Market Drivers
(trends, needs or demands by the public, what does a good solution need
[essentially a criteria analysis and feasibility study], which of the solutions
discussed wins and becomes the recommendation—this shows which solution
or approach/policy is the best)
6. Main Obstacles/Opposition to Your Recommendation
(with solutions to the obstacles)
7. [if applicable] Additional Obstacles/Opposition
(with solutions to the obstacles)
8. [if applicable] Transitioning to the Innovation
9. “Altar Call”/Call to Action/Recommendation
(essentially a final sales pitch for an innovative solution or an innovative
opportunity; however, remember that white papers are not sales pitches in the
traditional sense: a reader should feel informed, not sold)
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4 1. Abstract
2. Introduction
(introduce the problem or opportunity, define any terms you feel need to be
defined; maybe include an anecdote or example to show why the reader
should care about your topic)
3. Previous Approaches
(describe what is currently being done to solve the problem or take
advantage of the opportunity)
4. New Findings
(describe and discuss the results of your research, this includes showing
how your findings better address the problem or opportunity)
5. “Altar Call”/Call to Action/Recommendation
(essentially a final sales pitch for your recommendation based on your
findings; however, remember that a reader should feel informed, not sold)
Introduction
Do not confuse an introduction with an abstract. An introduction sets the stage for your paper.
The Introduction begins with the context of the report: subject and purpose; write that I asked for
the research. If you submit your paper to a real-world audience, you can delete this context.
Include a discussion of the scope of the project if needed (the boundaries of your topic: what
topics you are including, as well as those you are not). Again, solutions are often not universal:
what works for one context will not work in another; thus, you need to tell your reader how you
have narrowed your focus. For example, countries can sometimes have different regulations,
economic situations, and cultural attitudes that make a solution workable in one country but not
in another. Do not casually discard this discussion: if you need it, make sure it is included.
The introduction often continues with a background of the problem or opportunity. Use this part
of the introduction to show the importance of your topic and the necessity to solve it or address
it—why should your audience care? Give enough general background information to show you
know what you are talking about. Discuss problems from your reader’s perspective. Remember
that since your primary audience is probably not an expert, you need to keep technical jargon to a
minimum. Do not mention your solution or approach directly in the introduction yet.
However, sometimes the causal discussion is large or complex enough that it deserves its own
subsection in the introduction section or even its own level-1 section(s), following the
introduction. For example, a white paper on implementing a puppy room at Louisiana Tech had
two level-1 sections after the introduction: the first discussed/defined what stress is (“Stress: It is
a Bodily Function”) and the second discussed/defined what depression is (“Depression: Like
Stress, Only Worse.” After that, the paper discussed the effects of stress, depression, and anxiety
on students before finally discussing the solution, the puppy room.
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Discussion Section: Discussing Solutions or Approaches
After you have shown a case for a need for your solution or approach, transition to discussing the
solutions. Rather than write the proposed solution as the only correct solution, research the
benefits and possible challenges of both your solution and the alternative, feasible solutions (if
applicable). You are essentially comparing and contrasting, which may need a table to help your
reader understand how the solutions compare to your proposed solution or approach. Describe
how the solution(s) would be implemented. Provide information about the costs associated with
the solution. Use this discussion to anticipate objections of your audience to your proposed
solution and put those objections to rest: address any concerns your audience may have.
Remember, you need to persuade your audience.
Sometimes you may need to give a historical overview where you discuss what has led to the
problem, issue, or opportunity your solution solves or takes advantage of. If your solution or
approach is unique or innovative, you may need to discuss this new class or category and then
introduce your solution or approach.
In discussing solutions or approaches, you need to show how your proposed solution or approach
solves the problem or best takes advantage of an opportunity. You will, thus, need to set up a
criteria analysis for determining the best solution(s). When you discuss the application of your
solution or approach, discuss the criteria you choose; in other words, discuss how you
determined what would be the best solution or approach or why you choose those criteria. You
will also need to show that the proposed solution is feasible (this is a persuasive document, after
all).
The following is a list of the most common feasibility criteria (not an exhaustive list and not all
may apply to your white paper):
• Availability of materials and technology.
• Capital/cost requirements.
• Environmental concerns.
• Implementation schedule.
• Local and international laws and regulations.
• Market opportunities and strategies.
• Production or distribution capabilities
• Professional staffing levels.
• Profit and loss forecasts.
• Public acceptance
• Real estate needs.
• Risk analyses.
• Transportation requirements.
Other Section Options
Depending upon which organization scheme you choose, after discussing solutions you can have
a section discussing
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• the overall future direction of the problem/opportunity and the solution/approach
(Direction/Long-Term Focus);
• trends or the needs or demands by the public for a solution (Market Drivers); or
• any obstacles or opposition to the solution or approach (Main Obstacles/Opposition,
Additional Obstacles/Opposition)—include how to solve or mitigate the obstacles or
oppositions.
Conclusion/Call to Action/Altar Call
The conclusion in the white paper concludes the paper and makes a “sales pitch” for the
recommended solution to your primary audience. However, try to avoid addressing the audience
directly. Help your audience to understand what should now happen, what they should now do or
support or look more into. Your audience should feel informed so that they can make a decision.
Absolutely do not make your audience feel like you are assuming that they have decided already
to accept your recommendation.
However, as always, use clear, specific, and informative headings. Instead of “Conclusion” or
“Recommendation,” for example, use something like “Using Technology X to Improve
Productivity” (without the quotation marks, of course).
Back Matter Details
Pagination is the same for back matter as for the body of the report; the back matter, while not
part of the discussion in the body, supports the discussion through a glossary (if long, otherwise,
it will be in the front matter), references, and any needed appendices. Remember, check the Style
Guide for how to format each document component of a white paper.
Glossary (Includes Symbols)
A glossary is required. Place in the back matter if more than one page, otherwise, place in the
front matter.
References Section
You can acquire these sources from the Internet, books, journals, magazines, databases, e-books,
or e-journals. Referenced information used in your document is best summarized or paraphrased.
Keep quoting to a minimum. Whether quoted or paraphrased, all use of references should be
cited to avoid plagiarism. Make sure your reference page(s) includes all references used (quoted
from or not) for all sections of your document.
Appendices
Appendices are optional in that if you do not need to place anything in an appendix, then you do
not need an appendix section. They include relevant information that would be out of place in the
main body of the document. Readers may want to access the information in the appendices to
verify your results or to learn more. As appendices contain supplemental information, the white
paper should be able to stand alone without them; that is, all essential information needed for
your reader to understand your discussion, your conclusions, must be in the body of the paper;
the appendices are only for supplemental information. Information in an appendix must be
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referenced to, if not discussed, in the body of your paper at least once. Appendices include the
following kinds of supplemental information.
• Code details
• Company information (for a product or technology; not necessary for a well-known
company, but for startups or less-known companies, a mission statement/about us
statement may be good to include in an appendix)
• Detailed tech specs
• Extra details on the research methods
• Information that is too detailed or too lengthy, interrupting the narrative flow of your
paper or otherwise distracting the reader from the main content
• Information not essential to support your position but still important as is supports your
analysis or validates your conclusions
• Information that pursues a related point
• Interview transcripts (each person interview is a separate appendix)
• Questionnaires and surveys’ detailed results
• Questionnaires and surveys instruments
• Raw data
• Schematics
• Specifications (for example, proposed product’s specifications)
Each appendix should be its own document. No more than one document can be in an appendix.
(For example, if Appendix E is a copy of a questionnaire, then Appendix F is the results of that
questionnaire.) The Style Guide gives more information on formatting appendices.
Tips
Remember audience, purpose, and context: this is a persuasive document and your audiences are
not subject-matter experts (they may even be resistant to your solution or idea). Follow Markel’s
Eight Measures of Excellence (discussed in his textbook): accessibility, accuracy, clarity,
comprehensiveness, conciseness, correctness, honesty, and professional appearance.
Visuals and Examples
Using visuals, from tables to charts to images, helps your document be persuasive by making the
document both more appealing visually and more comprehensible. Visuals can help engage a
reader and are usually more quickly understood than text and are thus useful to support,
summarize, or illustrate a concept discussed in the text. Include charts and tables to show or
summarize statistics, trends, or other data. Examples, including case studies, can also help
illustrate your argument.
References
“Eight Rules for Creating Great White Papers.” Knowlegestorm. The Content Factor. April 2005.
contentfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Eight_rules_for_great_whitepapers.pdf.
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Gordon, Manuel and Gordon Graham. “The Art of the White Paper.” Gordon & Gordon. July
2001. www.gordonandgordon.com/downloads.html
Markel, Mike. Technical Communication. 11th ed. Bedford/St.Martins. 2015.
“Purdue: OWL: White Papers.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University. 2017.
owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/546/01/
Shuttleworth, Martyn. “Writing an Appendix.” Explorable. 18 Nov. 2009, explorable.com/
writing-a-appendix
Stelzner, Michael A. Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged.
WhitePaperSource Publishing. 2006.
“White Paper Basics: The Dos, Don’ts, Whys, Whats, and Hows of White Papers.” Canright
Marketing Reports. Canright. November 2011. www.canrightcommunications.com/
whitepaper_report.php
Willerton, David R. Ethos and Exigence: White Papers in High-Tech Industries. 2005. Texas
Tech University, PhD dissertation. Electronic Theses and Dissertations, ttu-ir.tdl.org/
handle/2346/521.
Paper Format: APA
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