Backgrounders and white papers are documents used to provide information and state positions on issues. Backgrounders summarize the key facts and history around an issue, while white papers take a stance and provide supporting evidence. Both require thorough research and should be tailored to the intended audience. When issues arise, these documents can help form responses, share perspectives with the media and public, and influence related discussions and decisions.

1. Writing a Backgrounder and White Paper

2. WTO Agricultural Negotiations Backgrounder

3. Conduct an online search to find examples of BackgroundersFind a style that you would like to use as a model and take a screenshot and save the link. Post it to your website as a blog entry.The following pdf is a Backgrounder for the opera Otello by Giuseppe Verdi

4. Backgrounders are not all the sameYou will find that some are very complex and contain a great deal of information. Others are more down-to-earth and contain easily readable information.The following image of a backgrounder designed for the web its simple only in the sense that it condenses 5000 years of history.

5. Determine the Mood or Image that you want to conveyIf you are developing an Online Press Center, people other than the media are going to read your backgrounder.If you are developing a Press Kit to send to the media, you may want to get into more specific details and industry jargon. Source: The Write Market

6. Press BackgroundersPhilips: Sense and Simplicity

7. What is a Backgrounder?It looks at a situation or problem in the present by considering its origins and implications for the future.

8. What is a White Paper?Resembles a research paper that takes a point of view and marshals evidence in support of the position taken.

9. Both Documents Are Ways to Form Responses to the PressWhat’s your position?No Comment won’t be good enough.

10. Companies Need to Be Prepared

11. When Do Companies Use Backgrounders? Serves as an information base to executives and employeesProvides source material for campaign media kitsServes as a document to hand out to the media and publicCan be used on a speech cirucuit

12. Research, Research and More Research

13. Always begin a backgrounder with a statement of the issue and why it is importantBe precise and concise.

14. Provide Background Information

15. Examine the Current Situation

16. Discuss the Implications

17. Provide Documentation

18. The White PaperThis document is designed to state a company’s position on an issue.

19. Stating the Issue without Dancing Around It

20. First, Provide Pertinent Background Information

21. Second, State the Issue

22. Support your position with facts and figures

23. Consider Both Sides

24. Consider the Public

25. Make Recommendations

26. Don’t Forget to Offer Alternatives

27. Format and Distribute

28. Consider Special UsesLobbying EffortsWorkshopsOnline presentationsOp-eds

29. More InfomationAlliance for Rural Electrificationhttp://www.ruralelec.org/245.0.html