You are an expert witness testifying at a federal or state Senate committee hearing. For this assignment, you will write a transcriipt of what you would say during your testimonial. Your audience consists of senators and their aides; some may be knowledgeable about the topic, but many will need to be informed of the justifications for your position.
It would be best if you advocated for a particular position on the topic (for or against a specific policy), and you will be expected to provide evidence for all the claims you make (with data from reputable sources).
Format: Start with a statement that attracts attention and summarizes the issue. Use this introduction to clarify the issue AND claim your position on how best to address the issue regarding policy development or policy change. What is the problem you are addressing? Why is it a significant and impactful problem? What policy or regulation is needed or should change?
Next, could you define three main points that support your position? I think each point should be developed with a general statement of the position. This elaboration references data from reputable sources, and perhaps a compelling related personal experience of yours or a client. What is known about the harms, barriers, or inequities related to this problem? How do current policies contribute to these challenges?
Conclude by restating your position on the issue, reflecting on the succession and importance of your arguments, and drawing a logical final conclusion about how policymakers should maintain, change, remove, or modify some policy, law, or regulation. What are you asking the Senate to change and what are the implications for this change if achieved? This strong conclusion will reinforce your position and leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Be concise, and the arguments should be substantiated and logical. This is a professional paper and should be written in a formal style. Keep your voice active. Stay focused on your point of view throughout the testimonial. Focus on logical arguments and proven facts, not opinions or speculations. Assume your audience is familiar with basic concepts, but remember to define any complex terms or concepts. Familiarize yourself with supporting evidence for both sides (for and against the policy changes you recommend) to prepare your proposal. Quote sources to establish authority. Summarize the arguments and evidence for the opposing stance, then refute.
