Policy makers seldom have the time to delve through pages of literature on a specific policy question in debate. To make well informed decisions, they will rely on short and tightly written memos that can quickly and cogently relay the important policy facts, questions, and arguments about an issue. Your goal is to practice the art of memo writing for potential future policy endeavors. A policy memo, unlike a term paper or literature review, requires a different writing strategy. A policy memo must be tightly written, clearly organized, and advance a persuasive argument which flows in a logical and coherent manner. The author does not have time for a lengthy review of the literature. Flowery and elaborate writing will lose your audience’s interest. Instead, the author must focus on drafting a clear and concise memo that will present a persuasive argument that is substantiated with research evidence and advances a cogent analysis of the policy problem.In this course you will write 1 policy memo. Memo format provides for 3 single spaced pages (maximum), written in 12-point font. Each memo should reveal your thoughtful reading of course materials, including lectures, and discussions from seminar sessions.
Use the following as a general guide for framing your memo:
Begin with a brief overview and state the problem or objective in a clear thesis statement.
Provide a conceptual framework, map your argument, and explicitly outline your thesis.
Outline brief history or background relevant to the theme.
Constructively analyze arguments, ideologies, and the quality of technical evidence.
Advance your recommendations using evidence from literature and other sources to support your perspectives.
Conclude with a persuasive argument and summary statement.
The following is a description of the necessary elements and a suggested organizational format for a policy memo. There is no lock-step format formula for a policy memo. This is only a suggested format that in most cases will provide the framework for a clearly organized memo. However, the persuasive writing and specific content will still need to come from the author.
INTRODUCTION
– provide a brief introduction to the policy problem that you will write about
…introduce the specific policy problem and place it in context of wider policy debate
…hook the readers attention with a quick bit of evidence
…evidence can also be mobilized to briefly articulate the problem
– thesis statement
…should clearly articulate your perspective/approach in analyzing the policy problem with a brief justification for why analysis is important
– organizational/conceptual framework
…for the purposes of the policy memo format, your conceptual frame will also work as your organizational framework
…provide an organizational map/framework that signals to reader how your memo is organized AND introduces your analytical framework and rationale for analysis
…briefly introduce the general thrust of your recommendations
– expected outcome(s)
…briefly outline the general expected outcome of your recs…this is a strategy for signaling your confidence in how your memo will persuade the reader…remember that the principle objective of your policy memo is PERSUASION THROUGH EFFECTIVE MOBILIZATION OF EVIDENCE!
General Policy Memo Elements and Format
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A reader should take away from your introduction a VERY clear understanding of the elements contained in your memo and the reasons for addressing the specific policy problem: description of policy problem, thesis, description of recommendations, expected outcome
BACKGROUND
-BRIEF literature review of the main issues linked to your chosen theme
…present the wider policy problem as context for understanding the more detailed specifics problem you are writing about
…be selective in reviewing the literature that is relevant to the perspectives you will introduce, there is no need to review the entire history of the issue
…what is the extent of evidence and your own assessment of the quality of evidence? what patterns have emerged, and are there voids which may still be present? (this opens the door for you to present your own perspectives)
…be analytical in your review of the literature…your presentation of major issues or specific evidence should be followed with a brief statement that articulates your own alternative interpretation
…be strategic in the extent of evidence you present in your lit review and save the more salient or specific evidence to support your recommendations
…signal how this literature is relevant to your recommendations, thus providing reader with hint of how your analysis will build on the literature
…emerging recommendations…how does data/evidence inform the initial framing of your recommendations?
RECOMMENDATIONS (aim for 3 RECs)
– recommendations are the centerpiece of your memo…try and advance at least three separate recommendations (or one broad recommendation with 3 sub-themes).
– state the REC in the header, thus saving space and boldly signaling to reader the main theme of your REC
– provide detailed description of your REC (a thorough implementation plan is not necessary, but rather a clear description of the idea you are advancing…this might be done in one sentence or it may take several, depending on your theme)
– evidence, evidence, evidence!!….mobilize evidence to support/bolster your REC and perspectives
…be careful in choosing evidence and be strategic in how you set-up the evidence in relation to your argument
…if presenting counter evidence be critical and analytical in presenting shortcomings (be careful not to provide too much counter evidence that could refute your own perspectives)
…avoid simple descriptive evidence, rather, use substantive evidence that assists you in activating the elements of your REC
– provide justification/rationale for why your plan is important/feasible
– always include a description of your intended outcome…what change will result if your REC is implemented?
CONCLUSION
– briefly restate your thesis followed by your main points
– remind reader what you expect to change with your RECS
– pack the final punch with a clear and persuasive closing statement
OTHER ELEMENTS
– begin with a traditional memo header (TO, FROM, DATE, RE) that describes who you are, the organization you are representing, as well as group to whom you are presenting (fictional or non-fictional figure).
– use headers/sub- headers throughout in order to organize and divide sections of your memo… Be sure to and identify who you are…edit thoroughly, a poorly edited memo will interrupt the flow of your argument and weaken your memo’s effectiveness.
