Public Policy: Writing White Papers

White Paper and Policy Brief Goals

Within public policy, white papers and policy briefs are genres of writing that serve a distinct purpose. These documents tend to be focused and information-dense, typically setting out to do the following:

• Identify and define a specific problem while making a good-faith effort to acknowledge and represent a potential plurality of viewpoints
• Present and analyze relevant data that speak to the scope, scale, and/or urgency of the problem
• Discuss relevant stakeholders as well as their varied relationships to the problem
• Provide evidence-based, actionable recommendations for addressing the problem
• Acknowledge and address fair objections to the feasibility of implementing the proposed recommendations

The ultimate goal of a public policy brief or white paper is to help readers make an informed decision about the most effective way(s) to address a specific problem.

A Note on Bias and Objectivity

Even though these documents likely build to offering policy recommendations, white papers and briefs should present those recommendations in a tone that is more informative than persuasive.

Removing any semblance of subjectivity, bias, or values-based judgment is a lofty, and likely unattainable, goal, but white paper and policy brief authors do avoid using emotionally charged language when providing policy analysis.

You aren't a robot who can turn off any and all emotions. You can, however, establish your credibility as a policy analyst by fairly representing and addressing likely counterarguments instead of dismissing them outright.