1. (and backgrounder report)
the WHITE paper
(and backgrounder report)

2. What is it? Think of a white paper as a persuasive essay.
usually 6-8 pages in length
originated from marketing
informative/educational-- not a sales pitch
APA or AMA citations for health sciences
headers determined by content
framed as solution to some problem or issue
audience is client
Three kinds of white papers:
backgrounder
numbered list
problem/solution
A backgrounder is a specific kind of white paper that describes the features and benefits of a product in an attempt to persuade the audience to implement the product as a solution to its problem.

3. Parts of a Backgrounder

4. I. Introduction
Use the intro as a summary of the report. To summarize, it must address:
the organization’s issue (might require some background on the organization, but remember that the authority figure in the organization is your audience).
the problem that this technology solves (history and scope)
the technology you will present

5. II. Background/Problem
What is the problem that your technology can solve?
To be convincing, you may include:
data and statistics about the issue
references to other organizations with similar issues
This optional section may be very short (1 page), or it may be wrapped into the intro. It is recommended if you have an audience that does not interact very closely with the sector of the organization that experiences the problem (e.g. you’re writing to hospital system director about a small division of a particular hospital).

6. III. Features This will be the longest part of your report (~4 pages).
What does the product do? In this section,
DO:
Assume your audience is unfamiliar with the technology.
Frame the features as beneficial, but maintain a professional tone.
Use images or diagrams when necessary. Caption them.
Use data visualizations.
Format as a business report.
Use subheads when helpful.
Define technical terms that the audience may not know.
Explain how this is a solution to the problem posed.
Cite outside sources when referenced.

7. Do not:
write as an As Seen on TV product ad.
Overuse colors and formatting.
Write as one long narrative.
Overuse headers because you run out of things to write.
Use citations in every line.

8. Data Visualizations
Data visualizations are what they sound like. They visually represent data to support (and sometimes substitute for ) written information. They include charts, graphs, infographics, schematics, and much more.
Today, designing data visualizations is becoming easier all the time, and there are many (free) resources available for turning hard data into visually appealing and more useful visuals.
Simple internet searches will reveal a number of options. Even Google has apps that are very useful for developing these materials.
You are to design at least one visualization for your report. A simple bar graph will not earn the same grade as a complex infographic (unless, of course, the bar graph is justified).

9. IV. Conclusion
Wrap up your findings in a short, concise conclusion (½ -1 page). It should be in third person and summarize the findings that you presented.

10. V. Works Cited Recommended/prefered: APA
*If your sources overwhelmingly use AMA, you may also use it, but be consistent.
Purdue OWL has examples of formatting and citing in APA.