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Q&A What should go into a White Paper?

I've heard the term "white paper" used in many situations. I've been asked before to write white papers on different subjects, though I've never successfully completed one. I've read many different...

1 answer  ·  posted 5y ago by Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-26T04:49:02Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/43418
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T11:17:56Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/43418
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T11:17:56Z (almost 5 years ago)
I've heard the term "white paper" used in many situations. I've been asked before to write white papers on different subjects, though I've never successfully completed one. I've read many different white papers on differing subjects. It seems to me a white paper is really nothing more than _a free form document written about a subject with the sole purpose of attempting to convince others of your way of view_. Is this an accurate assessment?

To that end, I have several questions directly concerning white papers:

- What elements should go into a white paper?
- Is there any specific format, or is it mainly free form as I suggested?
- Is there a customary length to a white paper (i.e.: what is considered too short/long)?

Note: I've read [_Outlining for white papers_](https://writing.stackexchange.com/q/9045/22808), but it doesn't answer my questions.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-03-13T12:22:48Z (over 5 years ago)
Original score: 2