I found it interesting that the steak behind the sizzle white paper stated that for a white paper to be successful it must contain “compelling prose.” I find that this will be a challenge for creating a white paper. I realize that all of the success really comes down to how well you can incorporate technical knowledge, experience and “compelling prose” into a white paper. I find that it may be somewhat hard to create a white paper that isn’t bias. This sounds like an area that working in a group will come in handy. The ability for more than a single person to look over and help create the white paper will make a much better white paper. The different skills that each person possesses will help. I feel that the design of the paper plays a large part. The images that are chosen must closely relate in a way that will support and help the information contained in the white paper.
I find it very important to know what you are creating the white paper for. You will have different types of white papers depending on who the intended audience is. When creating a marketing white paper the main focus would probably be on increased productivity or savings. This could be a way of presenting how the item in the white paper could benefit the company. After all, the marketing white paper would be concerned with presenting factual unbiased data to lead to a sale. I think that with the right information a white paper could be very successful at generating sales.
A government white paper would be a little different when compared to a marketing white paper. A government white paper could be focused on things that could affect many people. I think that you could have a larger audience when generating a government white paper. You could also have a small audience. I think knowing who you are targeting will decide the big factor as to the information you present.
Government
I think you have the right idea with the government papers. It can apply to a large or small audience which directly correlated to the size of the town. In that case you might have two different papers. One aimed at the common man, and the other aimed at the officials who decide if the issue is of any importance. It reminds me of the doctor paper examples we had earlier in this class. The one directed at the doctor had more jargon while the other one was simplified. Both were informative and helped both audiences identify their health concerns.
Bias
Yeah I think that it is hard to not have bias in a white paper also. The document is used for information purposes not really persuasive purposes, so I think that it can include bias. In the case of bias, I think that people can just look at other marketing white papers to make a decision. With the case of a government white paper, it is hard to argue with the bias. If there was a subject that a government white paper would cover, then you will only get that information. Not a lot of people like to argue with the government and only one point of view will be given with those subjects. That is why I like to watch the Colbert Report.
Eliminating Bias
I agree with you about it being hard to not include bias in a white paper. In almost all cases, the person in charge of writing the white paper will have great familiarity with the product. As a result of this familiarity, they will most likely believe that their product is the best and most efficient. This belief would be something that would be hard to eliminate from a white paper. I think it would be even harder for an inventor to write a white paper over their invention. An inventor’s invention is going to be their pride and joy and it would be hard to prevent this from being apparent in the white paper.
Bias/Non-Bias
It seems that the issue on bias/non-bias white papers is somewhat of a big deal with everyone. I really don't think it's too complicated; it's not much different from writing a book report or a scientific journal article. All you have to do it go out, get the data, process the data, and write it down. In many ways this is easier than playing the salesman, because you don't have to choose the correct things to say and how to say them-just state everything. You make a good point, something I've considered as well, that factual non-bias marketing white papers may lead to a sale and a happy customer, but a bias one may leave that buyer disappointed.
bias
I was thinking the same about having a bias opinion. Instantly when thinking about a topic I either like it or don’t. I immediately start thinking about what I liked or disliked. On this project I am going to have to rethink an make sure that I am not writing about just what I like about the topic, but I have to include what I disliked as well. With writing a paper that is non bias will really help someone increase the knowledge of the user. The user will have information that will allow them to make the best decision.
Zebulon Rouse