Scholarly Policy Brief Paper
Write a scholarly policy brief describing your views to your Congressman, Senator, or local Representative on a current bill in progress.
A policy brief is a short, neutral summary of what is known about a particular issue or problem. The brief should provide evidence and actionable recommendations. The purpose of the policy brief is to convince the target audience of the urgency of the current problem and the need to adopt the preferred alternative course of action outlined in the brief. Policy briefs are “frontloaded”- your conclusions are on the front page!
APA paper required [please refer to your APA manual]- double line spacing, 12-point font, 1 in margins all around. Cover Page– 2 pages in length only for body of paper (do not count cover page or reference page) Reference page APA format.
Grading will be on the basis of following the guidelines of the assignment; Clarity: Appropriate use of evidence and data and the reasonableness of your conclusions and recommendations.[unique_solution]
Policy Brief Content Guidelines:
#1 Introduction/Summary Paragraph –
What is the aim of the policy brief?
What problem will your brief address?
Is your conclusion clear at the onset?
What are your recommended actions from the evidence presented? #2 Content–
Who is the audience/stakeholders?
Why is the problem important to them?
What do you know about the audience (technical knowledge, political or
organizational culture or constraints, exposure to the issue, potential openness to the message)?
Who else might be affected by the policy?
Who will implement the possible solutions?
#3 What other policy or issue briefs already exist?
How will your brief differ (different information, perspective, aim or audience? What data is most important for your audience?How will you present the data so it
best conveys its message (text, bar graph, line graph)?
#4 What are the policy options?
What is the likelihood of the policy getting passed?
Is the policy and alternative within the policymaker’s agenda and values?
#5 What recommendations will you make?
Do you have a strong argument supported with evidence?
Helpful links:
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2017 http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/bills.aspx https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/ https://www.senate.gov/legislative/bills.htm
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/subjects/house_of_representatives/5947?congre ss=113
https://www.healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/archives.php