Writing Public Policy Briefs

from WikiHow - A policy brief outlines the rationale for a particular policy alternative or course of action in a current policy debate.  A policy debate is the ‘market place’ for competing policy ideas.  The purpose of a policy brief is to convince the target audience of the urgency of the current problem and the need to adopt the preferred alternative or course of action outlined, and therefore, serve as an impetus for action.The purpose of a policy brief ranges from exploration (briefs that present a targeted discussion of policy alternatives without promoting a particular one) to advocacy (briefs that argue directly for the adoption of a particular alternative).  All briefs are focused, professional (not academic), evidence-based, succinct, understandable, accessible, practical and feasible, and action-oriented. 

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Policy-Brief 

Research to Action -​  is a website catering for the strategic and practical needs of people trying to improve the uptake of development research.We have structured the site and populated it with material that we think will be immediately useful to this audience, but also to development researchers in general who would like to be more strategic and effective in their communications.A very detailed guide on writing policy briefs.

  https://www.researchtoaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/PBWeekLauraFCfinal.pdf

UNC Writing Center - This handout will offer tips for writing effective policy briefs. Be sure to check with your instructor about his/her specific expectations for your assignment.

  http://writingcenter.unc.edu/policy-briefs/