Policy briefs

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Policy briefs

• What are they?

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2 types of policy brief
Advocacy brief Argues for choosing a particular
course of action
Objective brief Gives balanced information for
policy maker to make up her mind
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Purpose

• Convince the reader that the problem must be
  addressed urgently
• Provide information about alternatives
• Provide evidence to support one alternative
• Stimulate reader to make a decision

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Policy briefs

• Based on firm evidence
• Not just one or two experiments
• Draw evidence from various sources
• Ideally not just from your organization
• Relate to the big picture
• Show how a policy change will solve a problem

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Characteristics of a policy brief 1

• Focused on achieving purpose
• Language, design, argument, evidence
• Professional
• Not academic
• Focus on what research findings mean, not how the
  research was done
• Based on evidence
• Rational argument
• Based on clear evidence
• Show consequences of recommended action

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Characteristics of a policy brief 2

• Limited
• Focus on a particular problem or issue
• Succinct
• Short and sweet
• 2 pages (700 words) to 8 pages (3000 words max)
• Easy to understand
• Clear, simple language
• No jargon

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Characteristics of a policy brief 3

• Accessible
• Clear headings
• Short paragraphs
• Promotional
• Catches the eye
• Attractive design
• Practical
• Based on what is actually happening
• Realistic, feasible recommendations

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Resources

• This presentation is based on
• www.policy.hu/ipf/fel-pubs/samples/PolicyBrief-des
  cribed.pdf
• Other useful sources (some from university
  writing courses)
• jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu/ktsai/policybrief.html
• www.courses.psu.edu/hpa/hpa301_fre1/IBInstructions
  _fa02.PDF
• ppn.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/3/3/261.pdf
• www.scidev.net/ms/sci_comm/index.cfm?pageid227
• resweb.llu.edu/rford/courses/ESSC500/minipapers.ht
  ml