Global policy class Memo

The purpose of writing policy memos is to give you practice at writing pithy

documents for busy decision-makers with too many demands on their attention

(like professors). After reading the memo once I should be able to answer the

following questions:

1. Who is the decision maker?

2. What is the issue or problem that the memo addresses?

3. Why is this problem worth considering?

4. What is the action, solution, or policy for which you are advocating?

5. What do you hope to accomplish with your proposal?

6. On what basis do you believe that your proposal will have the effects you

claim?

7. Why is your proposal preferable to feasible alternatives?

Your memo should explain and justify your proposal in terms that will be persuasive

to your audience. I.e., if you are writing to a politician then you should anticipate

her political or electoral interests. You should also write your memo so that, were it

to appear on Wikileaks, you would not be forced to immediately resign your job.

Format:

• Your memo should be professionally formatted and easy to read.

• You are free to use headings and bullet points.

• All your headings and use of citations and footnotes must be consistent

throughout.

• If you include a figure of table it must be captioned appropriately and

explained in the text.

• All acronyms and other jargon must be defined at first use.

• You must put page numbers on the document.

• You must have a header declaring to whom the memo is directed, from

whom it originates (you) as well as its subject.

• Your memo should begin with an executive summary of no more than 150

words stating the key recommendation of your memo.

• You should proofread and spell check your document.

• You must respect the stated word limit.

Sourcing and Works cited

As this is a course assignment your memo must include a list of works cited. This

list does not count against your word limit.

If you include data or graphics in your memo you must cite the source of your data.

If you use a table or graphic produced by someone else you must also cite them and

you should confirm that the data are in fact accurate. If the data cannot be

confirmed then state why. Or, better yet, don’t use it.