White paper
- Of the various types of white papers, the Purdue OWL lecture describes, how would you label this type of white paper? Why? Please write a short paragraph in giving your answer. A white paper, also called a background report, is an authoritative guide that is written to inform the readers about some complicated things to help them make a decision or rather solve a problem. There are three major types of commercial white papers. They include backgrounder, numbered list, and problem/ solution white papers. The white paper in question can be best labeled as a backgrounder white paper. This is because it describes the cloud concept in technology. Either, it talks about why this technology is better and should be adopted. “Cloud providers, including some of the giants such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, advertise their many benefits, some of which can make any Chief Financial Officer (CFO) want to make the switch yesterday,” (page 4).
- Who is the audience for this white paper?
. The white paper in question seems not to be directed to any specific audience, and so it can be classified as a general audience white paper. However, it suits IT companies best.
- Comment on the level of formality of the writing in this white paper. Is it written in a formal style? Or an informal manner? Or a bit of both? Give 2-3 examples of sentences in the white paper to support your answer
The white paper in question is written in a formal style, though with a bit of informality. An instance of informality is where it talks about cloud providers being so influential until they can make someone want to make a switch yesterday and purchase their services. “Cloud providers, including some of the giants such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, advertise their many benefits, some of which can make any Chief Financial Officer (CFO) want to make the switch yesterday,” (page 4). Either, on page 2, there is also some informality in the introduction part. “The cloud has become a household term over the past few years, but what does it mean?”
In most other areas, the white paper is written in a formal style. A good instance is where it contains quotes from other publications. For example, “As Jeff Fleece of SungardAS wrote, “What it all comes down to is this: businesses need to treat the cloud exactly the same as any technology enhancement. Cloud adoption may include a number of desirable benefits, but you have to think of it as just a new technology architecture: nothing more, nothing less,” (2015, para. 11).” (Page 5).