Purpose Statement: This post analyzes a white paper, looking at what it talks about and how it presents its information, as an example for those of us who are working on our own white papers.
To be quite honest, when asked to find the problem this white paper talks about, I have a hard time. This particular white paper seems to be more of the Overview genre; providing a wide-angle view of the growing interest in women’s sports and persuading brands to jump on the bandwagon. Moreso than it falls into the Solution-based genre; presenting a problem and then offering solutions.
The problem addressed by the white paper we discussed in class is written less of a problem than an opportunity. While it becomes apparent through the many graphics and stories that there is still inequality in the interest level in men’s sports and women’s sports, the white paper focuses more on how this disparity has been shrinking than on why it is a problem. The overall tone of the white paper is optimistic and positive. This is fitting when you consider who the audience is. The white paper is aimed at convincing brands to partner with or sponsor women’s sports. The pictures, stories, graphics, and charts do a great job at showing the growing marketplace that is women’s sports and why brands should take advantage of it. But they do not, however, present much of a problem that needs to be fixed.
The paper uses lots of visuals, charts, and graphs to prove its point that interest in women’s sports is growing. It still clearly shows that people are more interested in men’s sports, but shows that a large percentage of people are interested in women’s sports, and think them as interesting and competitive as men’s sports. And it does it all with the aim to convince potential brands to partner with women’s sports and sponsor them.
