White paper

Project Summary

In this project, groups of 2-4 members will be asked to do web-based and library research and then to write an informative white paper on methods for addressing an ethical issue created by an innovative technology. For instance, you might examine the electronic commerce, digital communiction and workflow, and content management systems in business and educational contexts, p2p file sharing and copyright law, safety issues, identity theft, etc. Alternately, you may choose to research another topic that does not revolve around technology, but it must be a current and relevant issue that is thoroughly researchable.  will research and present technological solutions to specific, meaningful problems (e.g., problems of internet security, alternative energy, prescription medication options, etc).

This research will result in a visually sophisticated document of 10 to 15 pages that presents findings to an appropriate rhetorical situation. You must present at least three solutions to the problem which take into account the needs of the different readers. This will not be a compare and contrast paper where you campaign for one of the solutions. Rather, you will advocate EQUALLY for all three solutions. White papers are designed as background documents that present the issue and potential solutions, then allow the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Length and Format: The length of your white paper will depend somewhat on your choice of topics, but should be within 10 to 15 pages (formatting will vary based on the design employed by each group, but every white paper should be visually sophisticated.) All sources should be appropriately cited in  MLA format .

Info About White Papers:

Many of the white papers you will find online are overtly persuasive or biased towards one side of an issue.  The white papers we will be writing in this class are "backgrounder" documents that provide the reader with all the information to make an informed decision WITHOUT persuading them of the proper solution. 

Again,  this is NOT a persuasive paper; it is an objective background paper that informs the reader about a problem, explains the history of that problem, and offers 3 balanced solutions for the reader's perusal WITHOUT suggesting one solution over another.  The reader is left to draw their own conclusions about which solution is preferable to them (although the paper does include a conclusion!)

How to Write & Format a White Paper (https://www.digitalmarketer.com/blog/what-is-white-paper/) How to Write a White Paper --by Michael Knowles https://productmanagement.buzz/index.php/2004/12/08/the_steak_behind_the_sizzle_effective_marketing_using_white_papers/

The Steak Behind the Sizzle: Effective Marketing Using White Papers   http://www.mwknowles.com/free_articles/white_paper/white_paper.html

What Is a White Paper? (And How Do You Write One?) https://www.instructionalsolutions.com/blog/how-to-write-white-paper

Deliverables

There will be both group and individual deliverables for this project. Groups will be responsible for the following:

Group Deliverable 1: Proposal. You will have the opportunity to review individual proposals on the discussion forum and to discuss possibilities and form groups. Each group will turn in one hardcopy of a 250 word topic proposal, in the form of a memo. This memo will include information about the topic under consideration, the potential solutions to be examined, and possible resources. Follow the guidelines for memo writing outlined at Purdue's Owl. Remember that you are selling an idea -- this is a persuasive, not descriptive, document. This means presenting the problem or issue as worthy of consideration, and the (three) solutions as relevant, while demonstrating the feasibility of the project within the parameters of the assignment.

Group Deliverable 2 and 3: Draft and Final Copy of White Paper. Each group will be required to have a draft posted for peer review. Remember that a draft is a complete version.

Individuals within groups will be responsible for the following deliverables:

Individual Deliverable 1: Topic Forum Post. Each individual will post a project topic on the White Paper Forum (professionally written with a subject heading Topic Proposal: ____ ). Every student will then respond to other posts to ensure that they have negotiated a topic and a group.

Individual Deliverable 2: Work Blog. Each individual will be required to keep a blog which a) records their research and b) details their contributions to the project. Workblogs will be updated weekly until the project concludes.

Individual Deliverable 3: Project Assessment. An important component of your project is successful collaboration. Each member will reflect on their participation in the project and on the experience of working in a group. The collaborative evaluation form is attached below as a Word document - type your answers in this document and email it to me at the conclusion of the project.

Grading

The White Paper Project breakdowns as follows:

Group D 1: Proposal: 10%

Group D 2: White Paper Draft: 5%

Group D 3: White Paper Final: 65%

Individual D 1: Discussion Board / Topic Negotiation: 5%

Individual D 2: Research & Workblog: 10%

Individual D 3: Collaboration Assessment: 5%

Grading Criteria

Grading criteria are outlined on the " White Paper Rubric " which will be used for project evaluation. When I assign a grade to your project, I will pay particular attention to see whether your white paper is informative and accurate and that you avoid as much as possible arguing a particular position. You should strive for a balance of perspectives and accurate coverage of a focused topic. The point is not to advocate for a position or "pamphleteer," but to establish a foundation of knowledge about the subject that future students and researchers will find useful. I will also weigh your feedback on the Collaborative Project Evaluation form attached at the bottom of the page.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Your white paper should meet the following criteria:

· Between 10-15 pages in length

· Include at least one graphic (with corresponding citation)

· Appropriate page numbers and headings

· In-text citations for each item of supporting evidence

Contain the following elements:

1. Title page

2. Table of contents

3. Table of figures (if the document contains four or more figures)

4. Executive summary which a) is written for a general audience, b)presents the paper's highlights (no new information), c)identifies the issue or need leading to the report, d)offers key facts, statistics, and findings, and e)includes a condensed conclusion

5. Introduction (orients audience to the PAPER, not the PROBLEM)--no more than 1 page

6. Background (history of problem and steps taken to address it)--prove that the problem exists

7. Discussion of three solutions (2-3 pages EACH)

8. Conclusion

9. Works Cited