English 421: Technical Writing

http://www.klariti.com/white-papers/White-Papers-Strategic-Advantage.shtml

This site gives some ways in which white papers are typically used today.  Given the group project that we are working on now, this seems particularly relevant.  The word seems to pop up more and more in class, and everyone seems to have a relatively clear understanding of what a white paper IS, but the question is, what do you use a white paper FOR?  This article gives very good, concise information as to what white papers are beneficial for.

While it does seem to limit white papers a bit into the marketing niche, it definitely hammers home their effectiveness in this aspect.  As the bullet points in the center of the page show, white papers can be extremely helpful in allowing a company to gain new customers, both through new products and through selling their old ones.  An effective white paper can be an indisposable tool in achieving this.  At the end, it even gives a few quick comments on how white papers are received down the line, a helpful thing to keep in the back of the mind when creating a white paper.

- Pat Connaughton