ED 539: Institutional Research, Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education and Student Affairs: White Papers

A white paper is "an authoritative report detailing an issue, position, problem, solution, or even a commercial product and service. Originally produced or commissioned by a government agency or office, providing in-depth background information on topics of public interest, including proposed and existing legislation and government policies, white papers are now a common tool in marketing, used by corporations, private companies, and nonprofit organizations alike to inform or sway the general public, prospective customers, journalists, even investors." From: Britannica 

Key characteristics of a white paper:

• A document containing narrative text
• At least 5-6 pages long (2,500+ words)
• Portrait format (landscape tends to be for e-books)
• Educational, practical, useful information, not a sales pitch
• Used before not after a sale (info after a sale is documentation)
• Provides facts not just opinion
• Includes an introduction or executive summary at the start
• Includes a call-to-action (CTA) at the end

From: Gordon Graham, The White Paper Guy

• Executive Summary
• Introduction / Background
• Problem Description
• Solution(s) / Perspectives / Criteria for Acceptable Solutions
• Recommendations
• Conclusion
• References

Adapted from: George Mason University Writing Center guide on White Papers

Search for:

"white paper" + your topic 

Try adding higher education to your search to limit to the college/university setting