Re: What's a 'White Paper'?

[Shorter Rankin <srank -at- PACBELL -dot- NET>]

Hi Barry,

You are correct about the purpose and composition of white
papers.
I would just add that the target audience is decision makers.
IOW
they are written to appeal to management level, perhaps non-
technical types,  who can sign off on a spending authorization
for the particular hardware / software being discussed.

Regards,

Shorter Rankin
Sacramento, CA
mailto:srank -at- pacbell -dot- net

/----------------- orig -----------------/
On Mon, 2 Feb 1998 09:58:11 -0600, Barry House wrote:

>I have to admit some embarrassment about asking this question, but I need
>to know.
>
>I'm answering an ad for a writer who can basically write anything up to and
>including a new gospel. One of the document types the ad mentions is a
>white paper.
>
>Since I've been writing since we were all using chisels on stone tablets, I
>THINK I know what someone means when they talk about a white paper--it's a
>document that spells out a company's position on some issue in the industry
>with any research the company or a third party has done to back up that
>position. White paper format is usually similar to a college reserach paper.
>
>My question, then: Am I correct, or am I way off in left field?
>
>Feel free to answer off list if you prefer.
>
>Thanks in advance for any and all help!
>
>Barry House
>The Creative House--Helping Businesses Communicate
>P.O. Box 523
>Pittsfield, IL 62363
>217-285-2900
>217-285-2950 Fax
>http://www.creative-house.com