By Praja.lk Editorial Team
In the world of policy, business, and government, people often use special words to describe plans, ideas, or reports. Some of these words come from colours, and others come from design and visual tools. These are called metaphorical terms. They help us quickly understand the purpose of a document or strategy. Let’s look at some common ones.
White Paper
A white paper is a serious report that explains a problem and gives a solution. This term started in the UK, where official documents had white covers. Today, white papers are used to share expert ideas and propose policies.
Green Paper
A green paper is used to start a discussion. It shares early ideas and asks the public for feedback before making a final decision. The UK government first used green paper with a green cover to show it was open for consultation.
Red Paper
A red paper is often a reply or protest against another paper, like a white paper. For example, Indigenous groups in Canada used red papers to show strong disagreement with government policies. The colour red shows urgency and emotion.
Blue Paper
A blue paper shares important information or plans, often from governments or international organisations. In China, blue papers are used for reports and forecasts. The colour blue represents trust and importance.
Yellow Paper
A yellow paper is a technical draft. It gives detailed information about a system or technology. In blockchain and cryptocurrency, yellow papers explain how systems work.
Grey Literature
This is not about colour, but it means documents that are not formally published, like reports by NGOs or internal research papers.
Black Paper
A black paper is rare. It may strongly criticise a system or show deep problems.
Visual Planning Terms
Some other common terms are not based on colour but on design and planning tools:
- Blueprint: A detailed plan, like the ones used by architects. It shows how something will be built step by step.
- Roadmap: A plan that shows the path to reach a goal.
- Framework: A structure that explains how parts of a system fit together.
- Playbook: A list of strategies or actions to follow in different situations.
These words are simple, but powerful. They help leaders, activists, and experts share ideas clearly. By understanding them, we can follow policy and development discussions more easily.
