Building on the topic the student used for the first assignment (first assignment is attached), this assignment will require the student to write a one page policy brief to be sent to their legislator.
A policy brief is used to convince the target audience of the urgency of the current problem or policy concern and present the need to adopt the preferred alternative or course of action outlined. It is commonly produced in response to a request directly from a decision-‐maker (legislator) or within an organization that intends to advocate for the position detailed in the brief. Efficient policy briefs include several common features.
Those features include: • The brief is focused. All aspects discussed are focused on achieving the intended audience to take the requested action. • The brief is professional and not academic. The usual audience is not interested in research or analysis conducted to produce the evidence. Rather they are interested in knowing the writer’s perspective on the problem and potential solutions, based on NEW and convincing evidence. • The brief should be evidence-‐based. The policy brief serves as a communication tool produced by someone with a vested interest in the policy (stakeholder), therefore the target audience will only be convinced by arguments that are supported by evidence. • The brief should also be concise. One page documents are the ones most likely to be read by busy lawmakers and their legislative teams. The format of the brief should be written as a one-‐page single spaced document. It does not need to include a title page, running header, or abstract. However, all references in-‐text and the reference list MUST be in APA format. The policy brief should include the following components: • An interesting title to attract the attention of the reader. • A clear and concise statement of the problem or issue. • A short overview of the root causes of the problem or issue. • One to two recommendations with a least two rationales with supporting evidence to validate the recommendations made. Evidence should come from scholarly journals, not textbooks or organization web sites. Three scholarly journal articles are required to be used. • Finally, the conclusion with a summary of the action the brief is requesting.
You can find examples of each of these in your book. Once your policy brief has been reviewed by the faculty member, we encourage you to send it to the person whom your letter is addressed.
Components of the Policy Brief:
Title and Statement of the Problem – The policy brief has an interesting title and the statement of the problem is clear and concise. Root Causes – The root causes of the issue are addressed. Recommendations – 1-‐2 recommendations for action are provided with solid supporting evidence. Conclusion – Brief summary of the action the policy brief is asking for. References – One a separate page, in APA format, list the scholarly references used.