Background Paper

BACKGROUND PAPER

ON

BACKGROUND PAPER

1. The background paper is a multipurpose staff communications instrument that transmits ideas or concepts from one agency or person to another. General guidelines follow:

a. Begin the header Ð''BACKGROUND PAPER" six lines (1 inch) from the top of the first page and three lines above the text.

b. Number the pages consecutively, starting with page 2. Enter the page number on the left margin, 1-inch from the bottom of the page or at least two lines below the last line of the text. It is limited to three pages.

c. Use a 1-inch margin all around. It should be double-spaced. To set all the paragraphs to double-spacing, click on the word Format on the Menu Bar and choose Paragraph. Click the down arrow next to Line spacing: and choose Double. Click OK.

d. Paragraphs are numbered.

2. Include author information at the bottom of the page: rank & full name/office/phone number/initials/date. Example: Maj John R. Doe/ACC/CCX/x1234/jrd/XX XXX XX

3. Author information should be single-spaced. To set all paragraphs to single-spacing, click on the word Format on the Menu Bar and choose Paragraph. Click the down arrow next to Line spacing: and choose Single. Click OK.

4. The key to an effective background paper, like any well-written document, is to get to the point quickly, cover all aspects of the issue in sufficient detail to meet your objective and close the paper with a sense of finality.