Plan: Developing Your White paper CMNS 3240
Instructions: This plan will help you define, focus and research your topic, and also to develop a strategic plan to argue with persuasion to a designated audience. Synthesize skills discussed in class so far.
1. What is the topic of your white paper?
2. What is the goal/purpose of the white paper?
3. What solutions, decisions or positions will you propose or advocate?
4. Is the white paper to be informative (limited to findings) or evaluative including solutions?
5. What is the identified issue/ problem / situation?
6. What is your position on the problem?
7. When, where, or why does the identified problem / issue / situation occur?
8. What is the extent of the identified issue / situation/ problem?
Analyze your Audience
Identifying a specific audience enables you to analyze the reader and strategically shape your white paper. These questions will help you communicate effectively with the designated readers:
1. Who are the readers? What do they care about?
2. What is the reader’s relationship to you? What kinds of enthusiasm and resistance will they have to your goal?
3. What do they know already? How much background do you need to give this reader considering their position, attitude toward this subject, and experience with the subject?
4. What does the reader need to know about the issue, and how can you best provide this information? (appeal to needs, remember Maslow)
5. What is your credibility with this reader? Must you build credibility gradually as you proceed, or can you assume that they will accept recommendations based on your interpretations?
6. Is the reader likely to agree or disagree with your position? What approach would be most appropriate in view of this agreement of disagreement?
The sixth question is very important. It requires that the writer see the reader’s point of view, and make every effort to look at the subject the way the reader will probably look at it. That takes both imagination and empathy. It is worth the effort and is key to successful communication.