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Policy briefs

Policy briefs. Examples of policy briefs. 2 types of policy brief. Advocacy brief Argues for choosing a particular course of action. Objective brief Gives balanced information for policy maker to make up her mind. Understanding policymakers’ information needs.

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Policy briefs

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  1. Policy briefs

  2. Examples of policy briefs

  3. 2 types of policy brief • Advocacy brief • Argues for choosing a particular course of action • Objective brief • Gives balanced information for policy maker to make up her mind

  4. Understanding policymakers’ information needs • Policymakers do not want to read your report • They are busy • Most are not specialists in your area • They have many conflicting sources of information

  5. Understanding policymakers’ information needs • So you must: • Present information in a short, easily digestible form • Use language that a non-specialist can understand • Summarize the information • Present clear arguments for a particular course of action

  6. Purpose • Convince the reader that the problem must be addressed urgently • Provide information about alternatives • Provide evidence to support one alternative • Stimulate reader to make a decision

  7. Policy briefs • Based on firm evidence • Not just one or two experiments • Draw evidence from various sources • Ideally not just from your organization • Relate to the big picture • Show how a policy change will solve a problem

  8. Characteristics of a policy brief 1 • Focused on achieving purpose • Language, design, argument, evidence… • Professional • Not academic • Focus on what research findings mean, not how the research was done • Based on evidence • Rational argument • Based on clear evidence • Show consequences of recommended action

  9. Characteristics of a policy brief 2 • Limited • Focus on a particular problem or issue • Succinct • Short and sweet • 2 pages (700 words) to 8 pages (3000 words max) • Easy to understand • Clear, simple language • No jargon

  10. Characteristics of a policy brief 3 • Accessible • Clear headings • Short paragraphs • Promotional • Catches the eye • Attractive design • Practical • Based on what is actually happening • Realistic, feasible recommendations

  11. Resources This presentation is based on • www.policy.hu/ipf/fel-pubs/samples/PolicyBrief-described.pdf Other useful sources (some from university writing courses) • Jones, N., and C. Walsh. 2008. Policy briefs as a communication tool for development research. ODI Background Note. Overseas Development Institute, London. www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/425.pdf • jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu/~ktsai/policybrief.html • www.courses.psu.edu/hpa/hpa301_fre1/IBInstructions_fa02.PDF • ppn.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/3/3/261.pdf • www.scidev.net/ms/sci_comm/index.cfm?pageid=227 • resweb.llu.edu/rford/courses/ESSC500/minipapers.html • www.foodsec.org/DL/course/shortcourseF6/EN/lesson.asp?lessoncode=0143

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