The Anatomy of a 2-Pager For this module, you will be writing what is sometimes affectionally known as a 2-pager .Catchy and informative title * A good title is crucial to capture the engagement of your readers! * It should communicate the brief’s topic memorably and concisely * Your name, affiliation, and date * Introduction and problem definition * Explains the importance of the topic * Provides essential context * Gives the reader a sense of urgency * Main Points * Integrates research and evidence to inform the reader – more of an overview than in-depth analyses * Defines key terms, abbreviations, or jargon * Explains away myths and misconceptions, addresses potential compelling counterarguments, or alternative interpretations of findings * Conclusions and findings * Reiterates main findings and brings the reader back to the “big picture” * Highlights challenges and constraints to addressing this policy problem, including political constraints * Recommended policy solutions or actions * Makes clear recommendations, supported by research and evidence * When necessary, includes a justification for why one policy solution is offered over other similarly reasonable alternatives. * If policy recommendations are not clear, conveys future avenues to evaluate and makes clear what evidence is available * Provides information on “next steps” or a “call to action” to readers * Writing and References * Uses high quality sources and appropriate citing practices * Uses short paragraphs where each paragraph conveys a single idea * Uses topic sentences, usually the first sentence in paragraphs, to communicate important points * Visual Elements * Uses visual elements (such as photos or illustrations) to convey meaning * Has tables, charts, figures, or infographics that convey a lot of information succinctly * Has a visible structure, such as informative subheadings, guides the reader * Draws attention to key points, statistics, questions, or findings with call-out boxes and other visual elements What makes for a good brief? * Policy briefs should be timely. What important issues are we facing today at the local, state, national or international level? What issues should be given more attention, or face an impending deadline? Good briefs make the case that this issue should receive more attention right now, with a sense of urgency. * Policy briefs need to be informative – not too complicated, but not overly simplified either. They must incorporate relevant background and context, but not every single potentially relevant piece of information must be included. Briefs should prioritize information to convey. * Policy briefs are not just for policy specialists – they should be easy to read, with little or no jargon. It’s important to communicate with people on the level they are at. Using big fancy words doesn’t make policy writing better, and it often makes it worse. * No one wants to read anything long and dry. Excellent briefs are visually engaging and mindful of visual primacy. (People are more likely to remember images than words). Briefs that are visually engaging, well organized, and easy to navigate have greater impact. “Directions” 2-Page Policy Brief You’ve become an expert on an important policy issue. It’s your job to communicate about this issue and advocate for research/evidence-based policy solutions. But, because policymakers, and frankly most people, have limited time and attention-span, you need to be succinct and to the point. If you want your brief to be seen among a stack of other papers, your brief needs to be well constructed so that it’s informative, memorable, and easy to navigate. You will craft a professional, concise, and informative advocacy oriented 2-page (8.5 x 11 inch) policy brief on your topic. Great policy briefs are timely, informative, easy to follow, and memorable. Your policy brief should draw attention to an important public policy issue; should “define” the policy problem with evidence and other relevant context; and should provide research and evidence-based policy recommendations or actions that reflect the constraints of the real world. In order convey a lot of information in a short format, you will use structure, formatting, and other insights from graphic design to make your message easy to follow. You will include useful tables, figures, charts, infographics, and other visual ads to concisely provide additional information. You may also use graphic elements, like photos or illustrations, to convey meaning. It should include, charts, graphs, bulleted points, tweet-worthy side bars and other images that help the reader to get all the information they need in a concise format. Someone reading your brief should walk away knowing about the policy problem as well as how it might be addressed. You will be graded on your ability to convey a great deal of information in a concise format. What should this brief accomplish? At the beginning of this guide, I wrote that policy briefs can “set the policy agenda,” “define the policy problem” and “advocate for research and evidence-based public policy.” That’s your job here. • Name included * Save the file as follows “Brief_LastNameFirstInitial” , for example, “Brief_KreitzerR.pdf” * 2 page (8.5 x 11 inch), any appropriate line spacing; citations permitted on a 3rd page * You can submit your responses to this assignment page as a document
