Three to six single spaced pages including data tables/graphs and graphics. Yes, this is a departure from standard APA format. Policy briefs have to be concise and fit on 1-3 pages (front and back). Legislators are very busy and have limited time to read. Content should be organized into columns. Two columns work very well. Subheadings should be used for the sections listed in the outline, below.
Please use the following outline for your final policy brief. This is taken from the University of North Carolina’s Writing Center guide on writing policy briefs:
Title: You want a memorable title that stands out.
Executive Summary: Summarize the problem and proposed action in 1-2 paragraphs.
Context and Scope of Problem: This section provides more detail on why the problem is important and merits legislative action. You are making an argument for action. Explain the why and how of the problem in its current context. Be sure to address how big the problem is (numbers of people affected) and who is affected (any specific groups affected).
Existing Policy and Policy Alternatives: Use this section to present what we have in place to address the problem and policy alternatives to what we are currently doing. Your credibility is important. Be sure to be accurate in your presentation. You are making an argument for a particular course of action (policy). You need to have done your research to be convincing.
Policy Recommendations: Spell out exactly what changes or reforms you are recommending. These should flow logically from an analysis of the alternatives considered. While you do not have to replicate or reproduce your scoring matrix for policy alternatives here, the writing and research that you did for the third policy brief research assignment should inform the argument you present to those reading this brief.
IMPORTANT: Throughout the course and in your other courses, we focus on addressing and seeking an end to oppressive practices and barriers to opportunity and progress for those who have struggled in our society, those who have been denied human rights and access to needed resources. As you consider alternatives and make your recommendations, remember that as a social worker you should be judging alternatives and selecting recommendations in terms of whether they help us move in the direction of social, economic, and environmental justice, whether they help us to address and eliminate oppressive practices and barriers to opportunity. Please speak to these issues as you provide your rationale for your recommendations.
Sources used and recommended: You need to make sure you are using reputable source materials here. You are demonstrating that you did the research and know what you are talking about. Be sure t use APA format for the references.
IMPORTANT: You have been building this content through the work that you have done on the earlier policy brief research assignments. You are not starting from scratch. The earlier work was essentially a series of rough drafts in preparation for this paper. We did the assignments as the course progressed to allow time for you to build the work and receive feedback on the initial work to improve it for the final brief. Using material you developed in the earlier sections is not considered self-plagiarism for this assignment. You want to use the earlier material that was in good shape and make any needed improvements.
Below is the preveouis work that you need to build off of
