Networks, Politics and Consequences: Universal Health Care in Thailand

Harris School of Public PolicyWriting Program1What is the Writing Program?Not a separate class, but instead, the program is folded into the Core classes at Harris

Ensures that you gain critical communication skills to showcase your policy analysis expertise

Learn how to effectively and persuasively communicate your econometric tests, cost-benefit analyses, and program evaluation findings2Why emphasize writing so much?Policy writing is different than academic writing

Quantitative skillsthe bread and butter of what you will learn this year at Harrisare only useful to the extent that they can support an effective argument

Theres no point in publishing the snazziest data points if your key target audience doesnt understand what youre talking about

4Your goal:Learn how to break down complex concepts so that intelligent non-specialists can understand them

Dont leave it to the person whos reading your work to grapple with what a t-test or a z-score or producer surplus is. Make it easy for them to understand

What can you expect?Many of your Core Classes will have Writing Assignments and/or Policy Memo tasks Some are individual, others will be group-work

These assignments will be graded not only on what they say, but how they say it

Today well focus on policy memosOne of the most commonly used policy-making tools

They communicate information to states leaders and decision makers that drives choices and negotiations

Persuasive, evidence-based, and structured writing of this type represents one of the most powerful ways of influencing the policy-making process

Policy memos differ from academic textIn the public policy setting, good writing is aimed at immediate effectLikely to be given to someones as s/he hurries down the hall or skimmed while making a phone call

Take a variety of forms in terms of length, structure and depth of analysisShare a number of common characteristics

What is a Policy Memo?Short document used to convey critical information about a specific policy issue

Distills a large amount of information or breaks down a complex issue in a concise manner

Makes an argument (recommendation) and provides supporting evidence

Often evaluates alternative courses of action

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11What is a Policy Memo?Brief: typically 1000 words or lessBusy policy-makers will not read long documents and may stop reading short documents that are difficult to understand

Direct: addressed to a specific audienceOften provided by an advisor to a principal (policymaker or practitioner) but could also be to a colleague

Convincing: your bottom line should be obvious up frontYour reader should know the main conclusion of your memo after reading the first paragraph alone12

131. Respond to your audienceWrite for an intelligent non-specialist. Youll usually be more of an expert on the details than your audience but dont treat your reader as being stupid

Think carefully about the needs and expectations of your audienceAn elected official will need technical terms defined (dont use jargon)

2. Organize your memoIntroduction including recommendation

Background and context

Options, supporting arguments/ analysis

Conclusion3. IntroductionBottom line up frontOpen the memo by summarizing the problem/ issueProvide your recommendationThe reader should know the main conclusion of your memo after reading the first paragraph alone!!The rest of the memo should be structured around your argumentDont leave the reader trying to guess your conclusion like a suspense novel!

4. Background and IssuesSummarize any historical or technical information that your audience needs for context

What is the status quo? Why might it need to be changed?

What events have triggered the need for a memo?

It may be that no background information is needed at all.5. OptionsIdentify plausible courses of action, even ones that you might not agree with

Point out a few (not a laundry list) pros and cons of each action

Identify the risks/ potential opposition from particular courses of action.

Anticipate questions

6. Supporting Arguments/ AnalysisProvide evidence to support your argument Is there a way to graphically display the information?

Help the policy-maker identify who their key supporters and opponents will be, based on your recommendation.

Make sure you are clear about the sources of your information (blend the reference into the memo).7. ConclusionShould be consistent with your recommendation up front

No new information should be presented. Keep it short.

Wrap up loose ends8. StyleChoose simple words to express your ideas.

Avoid jargonor define your terms clearly.

Make your sentences "active voice when appropriate.

Use each paragraph to develop one idea.

Be specific: generic recommendations are not convincing.

PROOFREAD CAREFULLY9. FormatAddress the memo with a header at the top of the page From: (your name)To: (the person you are addressing)Re: (the scenario you are addressing) Date: (date of submission)

Use headings and subheadings

Consider using bullets, numbering, and indentations

Use bold or italics (but do not overuse)

No need for footnotes if its important, highlight a reference in the text

Ineffective tables, graphs, and figures

23Effective tables, graphs, and figures

24Lets look at some examplesRead this handouthttp://www.hks.harvard.edu/content/download/66717/1239678/version/1/file/sample-policy-memo.pdf

DiscussionSurprises from reading the memo?Things you liked (not content, but style, etc.)How can you write a successful memo?Remember that writing is iterative

We learned how to draft in elementary school because it is effective!

Write early, put it down, and return to it later with a fresh set of eyes.

Have others read your work. Sometimes they will point out tone or grammar that you werent aware of.How can you write a successful memo?Avoid sensationalizing the descriptive content of your piece by over-using adjectivesInstead, focus on explaining why your evidence proves that the government should adopt your policy.Writing Teaching AssistantsChosen because they are excellent writers and they have also done well in the Core classes

Also talented in providing constructive and thoughtful feedback

Use them to your advantage (take drafts seriously , attend office hours, send emails)Good policy writing examplesThink tanksBrookings Institute

Government EntitiesGovernment Accountability Office (GAO)Congressional Research Office (these are longer)Other Writing Program EventsMonthly newsletterGreat tips!

Quarterly brown-bag lunches with Harris Alumni working for organizations that prize good policy writingCome network, find out what they think is important about writing, and tips of the trade

End of year Writing PrizeEarn $$ for your great writing!Writing ResourcesOur website: http://harris.uchicago.edu/gateways/current-student/harris-school-writing-program

Strunk and WhitesElements of Style

PlainLanguage.gov: The federal government has been mandated by Presidents Clinton and Obama to use plain language in communication to the public? Theyve built agreat site and many of their recommendations are those you're practicing in your policy memos. Explore their guides toword usage,effective headings, andspoken communication.

Writing Resources (other schools)The University of California has afantastic guideto good public policy writing.

UMASS:open, online courses on Critical Reading and Writing.

ESL-specific exercisesavailable from Purdue University.

Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Management. (2010). Memo-Writing Guidelines. Retrieved from http://wagner.nyu.edu/students/services/files/WritingMemos.pdf

Writing Resources (University wide)TheUniversity-wide Writing Programhas resources that may be useful to Harris Students, including:

Graduate Writing Consultants:work with writers not just on particular problems in drafts, but also to develop advanced skills for revision.

The Universitys Little Red Schoolhouseclass: a quarter-long, non-credit course

Concluding ThoughtsQuestions? Comments?Dont hesitate to stop by my office, 181Or send an email to fvabulas@uchicago.edu34