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    How To Write An Policy Brief

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    Elena Paris
    This document provides guidance on writing an effective policy brief or policy paper. It discusses the purpose and structure of a policy brief, emphasizing that the goal is to convince the target audience to support a specific policy recommendation, not to make an academic argument. The brief should be professionally written, evidence-based, accessible, practical, and transparent. It recommends including sections on the problem definition, methods, issue analysis, proposed solutions, and strategic recommendations to move forward. Overall, the document teaches how to write a concise, persuasive policy brief for decision-makers.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    How To Write An Policy Brief

    Uploaded by

    Elena Paris
    322 views22 pages
    This document provides guidance on writing an effective policy brief or policy paper. It discusses the purpose and structure of a policy brief, emphasizing that the goal is to convince the target audience to support a specific policy recommendation, not to make an academic argument. The brief should be professionally written, evidence-based, accessible, practical, and transparent. It recommends including sections on the problem definition, methods, issue analysis, proposed solutions, and strategic recommendations to move forward. Overall, the document teaches how to write a concise, persuasive policy brief for decision-makers.

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    policy brief

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    How to Write an Policy Brief

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    This document provides guidance on writing an effective policy brief or policy paper. It discusses the purpose and structure of a policy brief, emphasizing that the goal is to convince the target audience to support a specific policy recommendation, not to make an academic argument. The brief should be professionally written, evidence-based, accessible, practical, and transparent. It recommends including sections on the problem definition, methods, issue analysis, proposed solutions, and strategic recommendations to move forward. Overall, the document teaches how to write a concise, persuasive policy brief for decision-makers.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    322 views22 pages

    How To Write An Policy Brief

    Uploaded by

    Elena Paris
    This document provides guidance on writing an effective policy brief or policy paper. It discusses the purpose and structure of a policy brief, emphasizing that the goal is to convince the target audience to support a specific policy recommendation, not to make an academic argument. The brief should be professionally written, evidence-based, accessible, practical, and transparent. It recommends including sections on the problem definition, methods, issue analysis, proposed solutions, and strategic recommendations to move forward. Overall, the document teaches how to write a concise, persuasive policy brief for decision-makers.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    of 22
    At a glance
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    The key takeaways are that a policy brief aims to convince the target audience of the validity of the analysis and policy recommendations through a succinct yet evidence-based argument.

    The main components of a policy brief are an introduction, description of the policy problem, policy analysis of alternatives, cost-benefit analysis of recommendations, and strategic recommendations.

    In a policy brief, lengthy digressions and superfluous narration should be avoided as they can distract from understanding the policy problem.

    Writing a Policy Brief/Policy

    Paper
    Miruna Troncota, PhD.
    How to Approach Writing a Policy Brief
    Structure and Writing Style
    Problems to Avoid
    Policy memo/ policy paper
    definition

    Policy brief writing assignments are intended to promote the following learning outcomes:
     Help students learn how to write academically rigorous, persuasive papers about a
    specific “real-world” issue,
     Learn how to choose and craft a document’s content based on the needs of a
    particular audience [rather than for a general readership],
     Prepare students about how to write effectively in non-academic settings,
     Teach students to be client-oriented and to better anticipate the assumptions and
    concerns of their targeted readership, and
     Enable students to create original work that synthesizes their research into a succinctly
    written document advocating change or a specific course of action.
    A POLICY PAPER IS NOT AN ACADEMIC
    PAPER

     You should not approach writing a policy brief (also knows as memo) like you
    would an academic research paper.
     Yes, there are certain commonalities in how the content is presented [e.g., a
    well-written problem statement], but the overarching objective of a policy
    memo is not to discover or create new knowledge.
     It is focused on providing a pre-determined group of readers the rationale for
    choosing a particular policy alternative or specific course of action.
     In this sense, most policy memos possess a component of advocacy and
    policy advice intended to promote evidence-based dialog about an issue.
     Academic papers are focused on showing what you know. Policy memos are
    focused on what you do with what you know in the real world, not I the
    abstract theoretical debates.
    Focus and Objectives

    The overall content of your brief should be strategically


    aimed at achieving the following goal:
    convincing your target audience about the accuracy
    of your analysis and, by extension, that your policy
    recommendations are valid.
    Avoid lengthy digressions and superfluous narration that
    can distract the reader from understanding the policy
    problem.
    Professionally Written

    Always keep in mind that a policy memorandum is a


    tool for decision-making.
    Keep it professional and avoid hyperbole that could
    undermine the credibility of your document.
    The presentation and content of the memo should be
    polished, easy to understand, and free of jargon.
    Writing professionally does not imply that you can’t be
    passionate about your topic, but your policy
    recommendations should be grounded in solid
    reasoning and a succinct writing style.
    Evidence-based

     A policy brief is not an argumentative debate paper.


     The reader should expect your recommendations to be based
    upon evidence that the problem exists and of the consequences
    [both good and bad] of adopting particular policy alternatives. To
    address this, policy memos include a clear cost-benefit analysis that
    considers anticipated outcomes, the potential impact on
    stakeholder groups you have identified, clear and quantifiable
    performance goals, and how success is to be measured.
    Accessibility

     A policy brief requires clear and simple language that


    avoids unnecessary jargon and concepts of an academic
    discipline. Do not skip around.
     Use one paragraph to develop one idea or argument and
    make that idea or argument explicit within the first one or
    two sentences. Your memo should have a straightforward,
    explicit organizational structure that provides well-explained
    arguments arranged within a logical sequence of reasoning
    [think in terms of an if/then logic model--if this policy
    recommendation, then this action; if this benefit, then this
    potential cost].
    Presentation Style

     The visual impact of your brief affects the reader’s ability to grasp
    your ideas quickly and easily.
     Include a table of contents and list of figures and charts, if
    necessary. Subdivide the text using clear and descriptive headings
    to guide the reader. Incorporate devices such as capitalization,
    bold text, and bulleted items but be consistent, and don’t go crazy;
    the purpose is to facilitate access to specific sections of the paper
    for successive readings.
     If it is difficult to find information in your document, policy makers
    will not use it.
    Practical and Feasible

    Your brief should provide a set of actions based on


    what is actually happening in reality.
    The purpose is never to base your policy
    recommendations on future scenarios that are
    unlikely to occur or that do not appear realistic to
    your targeted readers.
     Here again, your cost-benefit analysis can be
    essential to validating the practicality and feasibility
    to your recommendations.
    Explicit Transparency

     Provide specific criteria to assess either the success or failure of the policies you are
    recommending. As much as possible, this criteria should be derived from your cost/benefit
    analysis. Do not hide or under-report information that does not support your policy
    recommendations. Just as you should note limitations in an original research study, a policy
    memo should describe the weaknesses of your analysis. Be straightforward about it because
    doing so strengthens your arguments and it will help the reader to assess the overall impact of
    recommended policy changes.
     NOTE: Technically, your policy brief could argue for maintaining the status quo. However, the
    general objective of policy memos is to examine opportunities for change and describe the risks
    of on-going complacency. If you choose to argue for maintaining the current policy trajectory,
    be concise in identifying and systematically refuting all relevant policy options. Summarize why
    the outcomes of maintaining the status quo are preferable to any alterative policy options.
    How to organize a policy brief

     The contents of a policy brief can be organized in a variety of ways. Below is a general
    template adapted from the
     “Policy Memo Requirements and Guidelines, 2012-2013 edition”
    published by the Institute for Public Policy Studies at the University of Denver and from
    suggestions made in the book, A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to
    More Effective Problem-Solving [Eugene Bardach. 4th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage,
    2012] .
    I. Cover Page

     Provide a complete and informative cover page that


    includes the document title, date, the full names and titles
    of the writer or writers [i.e., Joe Smith, Student, Department
    of Political Science, University of Southern California]. The
    title of the policy memo should be formally written and
    specific to the policy issue [e.g., “Charter Schools, Fair
    Housing, and Legal Standards: A Call for Equal Treatment”].
    For longer memos, consider including a brief executive
    summary that highlights key findings and recommendations.
    II. Introduction and Problem Definition

     A policy memorandum should begin with a short summary


    introduction that defines the policy problem, provides important
    contextual background information, and explains what issues the
    memo covers. This is followed by a short justification for writing
    the memo, why a decision needs to be made [answering the
    “So What?” question], and an outline of the recommendations
    you make or key themes the reader should keep in mind.
    Summarize your main points in a few sentences, then conclude
    with a description of how the remainder of the memo is
    organized.
    III. Methods

     This is usually where other research about the problem or issue of


    concern is summarized.
     Describe how you plan to identify and locate the information on
    which your policy memo is based.
     This may include peer-reviewed journals and books as well as
    possible professionals you interviewed, databases and websites
    you explored, or legislative histories or relevant case law that you
    used. Remember this is not intended to be a thorough literature
    review; only choose sources that persuasively support your
    position or that helps lay a foundation for understanding why
    actions need to be taken.
    IV. Issue Analysis

     This section is where you explain in detail how you examined the issue
    and, by so doing, persuade the reader of the appropriateness of your
    analysis. This is followed by a description of how your analysis
    contributes to the current policy debate. It is important to
    demonstrate that the policy issue may be more complex than a basic
    pro versus con debate. Very few public policy debates can be
    reduced to this type of rhetorical dichotomy. Be sure your analysis is
    thorough and takes into account all factors that may influence
    possible strategies that could advance a recommended set of
    solutions.
    V. Proposed Solutions

     Write a brief review of the specific solutions you evaluated, noting the criteria
    by which you examined and compared different proposed policy alternatives.
     Identify the stakeholders impacted by the proposed solutions and describe in
    what ways the stakeholders benefit from your proposed solution.
     Focus on identifying solutions that have not been proposed or tested
    elsewhere.
     Offer a contrarian viewpoint that challenges the reader to take into account a
    new perspective on the research problem. Note that you can propose
    solutions that may be considered radical or unorthodox, but they must be
    realistic and politically feasible.
    VI. Strategic Recommendations

     Solutions are just opinions until you provide a path that delineates how
    to get from where you are to where you want to go. Describe what you
    believe are the best recommended courses of action ["action items"].
    In writing this section, state the broad approach to be taken, with
    specific practical steps or measures that should be implemented. Be
    sure to also state by whom and within what time frame these actions
    should be taken.
     Conclude by highlighting the consequences of maintaining the status
    quo [or if supporting the status quo, why change at this time would be
    detrimental]. Also, clearly explain why your strategic recommendations
    are best suited for addressing the current policy situation.
    VI. Limitations

     As in any academic paper, you must describe limitations to your analysis. In


    particular, ask yourself if each of your recommendations are realistic,
    feasible, and sustainable, and in particular, that they can be implemented
    within the current bureaucratic, economic, political, cultural, or other type
    of contextual climate in which they reside.
     If not, you should go back and clarify your recommendations or provide
    further evidence as to why the recommendation is most appropriate for
    addressing the issue. If the limitation cannot be overcome, it does not
    necessarily undermine the overall recommendations of your study, but you
    must clearly acknowledge it.
     Place the limitation within the context of a critical issue that needs further
    study in concurrence with possible implementation [i.e., findings indicate
    service learning promotes civic engagement, but there is a lack of data on
    the types of service learning programs that exist among high schools in Los
    Angeles].
    VII. Cost-Benefit Analysis

    This section may be optional but some policy memos


    benefit by having an explicit summary analysis of the
    costs and benefits of each strategic recommendation. If
    you include a separate cost-benefit analysis, be concise
    and brief.
    Most policy memos do not have a formal conclusion,
    therefore, the cost-benefit analysis can act as your
    conclusion by summarizing key differences among
    policy alternatives.
    Structure of a policy paper

     Introduction – abstract with the main ideas


     Description of policy problem
     Policy analysis – describing various policy alternatives
     Cost benefit analysis – providing the policy recommendations and assessing their impact
     Conclusions
    conclusions

     In your policy brief you should:


     Follow the most recent events on that particular topic
     Make a very detailed synthesis of different views of that policy issue
     Use infographics
     Show what is the impact on Romania’s agenda for the 2019 EU Presidency
     Conclude with a paragraph with the most original contribution of your policy brief to the
    overall topic (something that is memorable and useful for your readers)
     Never forget who is your audience – be very focused on your targer group!

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