Writing a Backgrounder and

White Paper

WTO Agricultural Negotiations Backgrounder

Conduct an online search to find examples of Backgrounders

Find 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

Backgrounders are not all the same

You 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.

Determine the Mood or Image that you want to convey

If 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

Press Backgrounders

Philips: Sense and Simplicity

What is a Backgrounder?

It looks at a situation or problem in the present by considering its origins and implications for the future.

What is a White Paper?

Resembles a research paper that takes a point of view and marshals evidence in support of the position taken.

Both Documents Are Ways to Form Responses to the Press

What’s your position?

No Comment won’t be good enough.

Companies Need to Be Prepared

When Do Companies Use Backgrounders?

Serves as an information base to executives and employees

Provides source material for campaign media kits

Serves as a document to hand out to the media and public

Can be used on a speech cirucuit

Research, Research and More Research

Always begin a backgrounder with a statement of the issue and why it is

important

Be precise and concise.

Provide Background Information

Examine the Current Situation

Discuss the Implications

Provide Documentation

The White Paper

This document is designed to state a company’s position on an issue.

Stating the Issue without Dancing Around It

First, Provide Pertinent Background Information

Second, State the Issue

Support your position with facts and figures

Consider Both Sides

Consider the Public

Make Recommendations

Don’t Forget to Offer Alternatives

Format and Distribute

Consider Special Uses

Lobbying EffortsWorkshopsOnline presentationsOp-eds

More Infomation

Alliance for Rural Electrification

http://www.ruralelec.org/245.0.html