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White Paper Workshop

White Paper Workshop. Community Environmental Health April 1, 2010. Academic Resource Center Make an appointment any time through the Tutor Finder at webcenter.tufts.edu. Why write a white paper? . You want to advocate for a position or policy

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White Paper Workshop

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  1. White Paper Workshop Community Environmental Health April 1, 2010 Academic Resource Center Make an appointment any time through the Tutor Finder at webcenter.tufts.edu

  2. Why write a white paper? • You want to advocate for a position or policy • The ultimate purpose is similar to policy papers, project proposals, policy memos, or grant proposals. • You want to get someone to agree with you, take a particular action, or give you funding!

  3. Why write a white paper? • To be effective, you should: • Summarize a critical topic to bring a policymaker up to speed on the most crucial aspects of an issue • Suggest a policy approach to address the issue • Take a stance on an issue to inform about and advocate for something

  4. Features of a white paper • Organized • Clear, coherent argument • Authoritative • Direct, concise language • Strikes the right balance between breadth and specificity

  5. Organizing the topic Big picture Background Supporting Evidence

  6. Organizing the topic Who cares? What do I need to know about it to understand? What should I do?

  7. Argument • As with any proposal, you must point out why your assertions are valid and how they fit into the current situation • Be authoritative in your argument • Must back up with reliable sources • Remember your audience! • Pre-empt questions they may have by reading your paper with a critical eye

  8. Language • Authoritative • Straightforward • Clear and professional • Informative • Not flowery • Succinct • Specific

  9. Executive Summary • This is similar to the “abstract” in scientific writing • Write your paper first and your Executive Summary last • Hit on all major points so the reader knows what to expect

  10. Executive Summary • This is your one chance to get a policymaker to read the rest! If she is not intrigued by the summary, she will not read the paper, and your argument will not be heard. • Remember: You write this part last, but the reader reads it first.

  11. Resources • OWL: White Paper Guidelines • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/546/01 • http://www.mwknowles.com/free_articles/white_paper/white_paper.html • PolicyFile: Sample policy papers • Access through Tufts library database finder

  12. Questions? • Contact lisa.inks@tufts.edu or heidi.lumish@tufts.edu Good luck!

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