A good title is essential. It should clearly indicate what the reader will learn from the white paper. It should also be enticing.
Example:
Bland: White paper on Law 123.4 Referencing Environmental Impact Assessments.
Enticing: The Rules are Changing: White Paper on the Environmental Impact Assessment Legislation Proposals in 2018.
The phrase 'white paper' does not necessarily need to be in the title at all. Some audiences are seeking that authoritative indicator. Other readers may be scared off from valuable content because of the term. As always, think of what your audience would prefer.
The abstract offers the reader a brief overview of the white paper's main points. It allows the reader to ensure they have found a document relevant to their needs. After reading, the reader should be able to know if they are 'in the right place.'
The problem statement specifies the issue the white paper will address. The problem needs to be defined and placed into a context to ensure it's understood by the reader.
This section provides the background information required for the audience to grasp the problem and, ultimately, the solution. The content may be detailed and technical or broad and high-level. The content depends on the reader and the problem.
Librarian hint: This is where the bulk of your source material will be presented!
The 'ta-da' moment of the white paper. Based on the preceding information, the solution is now presented. It is developed and argued for using the gathered evidence and the expertise of the author and their company.
This section summarizes the white paper's major findings. Recommendations based on the solution are provided.
All sources used to develop the white paper must be collected and cited in this section. It adds validity to the document. It also gives the reader content for further research. Depending on your industry, follow MLA or APA citation formats.
The "Citation Help" tab on the left gives you the information you'll need to properly format your citations.
Source: https://www.instructionalsolutions.com/blog/how-to-write-white-paper
If you've never written a white paper before, fear not! These tutorials will help orient you to what a white paper is and how to write one that's persuasive.
