POLICY BRIEF TEMPLATE
No more than 8 pages
PLEASE USE HEADINGS!
1) Policy approval by instructor {give the date of approval}
Yes – continue with the
assignment
No – MUST HAVE APPROVAL OR A 0 (zero) is earned
2) Preparation
Audience research –who am I writing for and why {I want to read and feel your passion for
the policy issue you have chosen. Having trouble? Complete the questions in
CANVAS to connect your heart and mind to identify a policy topic that is your passion!}
Decide on key message and approach
Do a SWOT analysis – what are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
surrounding the research issue.
20 points – covers all 3 areas,
passion is felt and specific
details are given about how to
reach the specific audience
15 points – covers all 3 areas,
little passion is felt and minimal
details are given about how to
reach the specific audience
10 points – covers
3areas, no passion
is felt and minimal
details are given
about how to reach
the specific
audience
5 points covers
less than the 3
areas
3) Executive Summary
A one or two sentence overview of the brief that entices readers to go further
5 points – the executive summary is complete
3 points – the executive summary lacks focus, has grammar errors
0 points – there is no executive summary
4) Introduction
Answer the question why is the topic important, why should people care
Answer the question of what were the goals of the research and overall findings
Create curiosity about the rest of the brief
25 points – covers all 3 areas
using data and research to
reveal the importance
15 points – covers all 3 areas
but the data and research do
not support/argue why this is
critical
0-14 points – does not cover the
3 areas
5) Approaches and Results
Summarize facts, issues, and context
Reduce detail to only what the reader needs to know
Provide concrete facts or examples to support assertions
20 points – covers all 3 areas,
summarizes clearly, is focused
and gives 5-7 examples
15 points – covers all 3 areas,
summarizes clearly, is focused
and gives 3-4 examples
10 points –
coversall 3 areas,
summarizes, is
focused and gives
1-2 examples
5 points covers
less than the 3
areas and/or
has no
examples
6) Conclusion
Base conclusions on results
Aim for concrete conclusions and strong assertions.
5 points – the conclusion is complete
3 points – the conclusion lacks focus, has grammar errors
0 points – there is no conclusion
7) Implications and Recommendations
State clearly what could or should happen next.
15 points – lists specific tasks,
establishes a timeline, identifies
who is responsible for what
tasks, is in a table format (not in
a paragraph form)
10 points – lists specific tasks,
establishes a timeline, identifies
who is responsible for what
tasks, is in a paragraph form
0-5 points – lacks specific tasks,
no timeline and no specific people
or groups are identified as key
players
8) Proof of using the writing centerPOLICY BRIEF TEMPLATE
No more than 8 pages
PLEASE USE HEADINGS!
1) Policy approval by instructor {give the date of approval}
Yes – continue with the
assignment
No – MUST HAVE APPROVAL OR A 0 (zero) is earned
2) Preparation
Audience research –who am I writing for and why {I want to read and feel your passion for
the policy issue you have chosen. Having trouble? Complete the questions in
CANVAS to connect your heart and mind to identify a policy topic that is your passion!}
Decide on key message and approach
Do a SWOT analysis – what are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
surrounding the research issue.
20 points – covers all 3 areas,
passion is felt and specific
details are given about how to
reach the specific audience
15 points – covers all 3 areas,
little passion is felt and minimal
details are given about how to
reach the specific audience
10 points – covers
3areas, no passion
is felt and minimal
details are given
about how to reach
the specific
audience
5 points covers
less than the 3
areas
3) Executive Summary
A one or two sentence overview of the brief that entices readers to go further
5 points – the executive summary is complete
3 points – the executive summary lacks focus, has grammar errors
0 points – there is no executive summary
4) Introduction
Answer the question why is the topic important, why should people care
Answer the question of what were the goals of the research and overall findings
Create curiosity about the rest of the brief
25 points – covers all 3 areas
using data and research to
reveal the importance
15 points – covers all 3 areas
but the data and research do
not support/argue why this is
critical
0-14 points – does not cover the
3 areas
5) Approaches and Results
Summarize facts, issues, and context
Reduce detail to only what the reader needs to know
Provide concrete facts or examples to support assertions
20 points – covers all 3 areas,
summarizes clearly, is focused
and gives 5-7 examples
15 points – covers all 3 areas,
summarizes clearly, is focused
and gives 3-4 examples
10 points –
coversall 3 areas,
summarizes, is
focused and gives
1-2 examples
5 points covers
less than the 3
areas and/or
has no
examples
6) Conclusion
Base conclusions on results
Aim for concrete conclusions and strong assertions.
5 points – the conclusion is complete
3 points – the conclusion lacks focus, has grammar errors
0 points – there is no conclusion
7) Implications and Recommendations
State clearly what could or should happen next.
15 points – lists specific tasks,
establishes a timeline, identifies
who is responsible for what
tasks, is in a table format (not in
a paragraph form)
10 points – lists specific tasks,
establishes a timeline, identifies
who is responsible for what
tasks, is in a paragraph form
0-5 points – lacks specific tasks,
no timeline and no specific people
or groups are identified as key
players
8) Proof of using the writing center
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