THE POLICY PAPER

A POLICY PAPER IS A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF AN IMPORTANT SOCIAL ISSUE OR PROBLEM THAT INVOLVES THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOP OF A DEFENSIBLE PLAN (POLICY PROPOSAL) FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM AND FORMULATING WORKABLE STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN.

THREE KEY FOCI:

[1] AIMS TO IDENTIFY KEY POLICY ISSUES;

[2] APPLIES THE BEST AND MOST UP-TO-DATE RESEARCH TO HELP UNDERSTAND THESE ISSUES; AND

[3] EXPLORES THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS RESEARCH FOR THE DESIGN AND CONDUCT OF POLICY.

THE PROSPECTIVE OUTCOME:

POLICY PAPERS ARE GENERALLY EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE INVOLVEMENT OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN AND IMPORTANT EFFORT AT SOME LEVEL,

[1] WHETHER IT BE SUPPORTING AND/OR ENDORSING THE POLICY PAPER,

[2] ADOPTING THE USE OF THE SET OF CRITERIA,

[3] JOINING A WORKING GROUP, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP, ETC., AND/OR

[4] EDUCATING OTHERS ON THIS TOPIC.

THE ORIENTATION:

[1] PRESENTATION {TAILORED FOR RELEVANT AUDIENCES/STAKEHOLDERS};

[2] MANAGEABILITY AND DIGESTIBILITY {STRUCTURED TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO MAJOR POINTS AND ARGUMENTS};

[3] MAXIMUM IMPACT {SOLUTIONS GUIDED BY PRACTICABILITY AND IMPLEMENTABLILITY}.

POLICY PAPERS NEED TO BE FORMAL, CONCISE, STRAIGHTFORWARD, ORGANIZED, LOGICAL, THOUGHTFUL, WELL RESEARCHED, WELL SUPPORTED, WELL WRITTEN, AND WELL ARGUED.

STRUCTURE

TITLE:

The title of a policy paper should engage the reader's interest and focus on your topic area.

ABSTRACT/ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Abstract/ Executive Summary is numbered page two (2). It is not part of the paper. The abstract describes the paper in the third person. The abstract should not be written, until after your paper is completed. [[Problem, Purpose, Scope, Methods and Process, Findings, Action Plan]]

I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE ISSUE:

The purpose of this section is to provide the reader with background information about the social issue.

II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

The purpose of this section is to analyze the specific issues related to the problem you have chosen and the societal consequences if this problem continues unaddressed.

III. CURRENT POLICIES/ SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT:

The purpose of this section is to analyze current policies (or programs) that deal with the problem. This section should map out the logic of cause and effect relating to the chosen issue. By conducting scholarly research, you will find that respected scholars and authorities differ on how to approach your chosen issue, and so, represent different schools of thought regarding the issue. One of the requirements of the schools of thought section is to prove to your audience/reader that you’ve done your homework. Another requirement is that you must set the stage for your contribution; you might refute or confirm some policy elements of one of the schools. Remember, your thesis must add to the existing base of knowledge.

IV. ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS:

The purpose of this section is to analyze (two or three) alternative solutions to the problem. In selecting the alternative solutions, choose alternatives that have been seriously proposed by advocates or policy makers. You do not have to analyze every possible alternative, but you should analyze alternatives that have been or are being seriously considered. Expanding (or modifying) current policies (or programs) can be treated as one of the alternative solutions. For each alternative solution, analyze its strengths and weaknesses and discuss which groups, opinion leaders, or policy makers support or reject it. Ultimately, keep in mind that you might be rejecting these alternative solutions or using parts of them for your own policy proposal in the next section of the paper.

V. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS, FEASIBILITY & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES:

The purpose of this section (sometimes entitled “Action Plan”) is to formulate an effective policy proposal for the problem you are addressing, demonstrate that your proposal is practical and feasible, and prove that your proposal will work.

VI. SUMMATION AND CONCLUSION:

This section is the capstone of your policy paper, and, as such, should briefly summarize the argument you have made. This section should also include a final persuasive appeal to you reader(s). Your conclusions should follow directly from your analysis. Restate you thesis, recall your evidence, and summarize your logical argument. I often find it convenient to separate what I learn in research and analysis into three categories: findings (of fact), conclusions (solid, clear logic is used to weave together findings), and recommendations (credible causal relationships, you may be able to move into the world of the predictive thesis – that is, you can prescribe a course of action that will achieve a desired social outcome, e.g., what policy action should be taken now to prevent the racialization of poverty.).

VII. WORKS CITED OR REFERENCE PAGE:

This section contains the works cited page (for MLA) or reference page (for APA). Only list references cited in the text of the paper. Follow APA/MLA procedures when formatting each reference.