POLICY MEMOS 1 LATIN AMERICA IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD GRADE DISTRIBUTION A 2 A 8 AB 6 B 12 B 7 B 3 C 1 Missing 2 Total 41 COMMENTARY ID: 275549
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Slide1
REFLECTIONS ON POLICY MEMOS #1
LATIN AMERICA IN THE
CONTEMPORARY WORLDSlide2
GRADE DISTRIBUTIONA = 2A- = 8A-/B+ = 6
B+ =
12
B =
7
B-
=
3
C+ = 1
Missing =
2
Total = 41Slide3
COMMENTARYStructureNot everyone used “official” formatExecutive Summary could have used more attentionChoice of addressee not always self-evidentContent
Frequent focus on domestic not international issues
OK for one of three writing assignments
Those who did it this time have used up their quota
Confusion of
goals
with
policies
Action Plan:
Who
it supposed to do
what?
Style
Grammar and syntax
Use
Spellcheck
and/or advice from a friend
Read drafts out loud (to yourself or to a really good friend)Slide4
EARLIER ENTREATIES (i)Imagine yourself as consultant to a Latin American government (or corporation or other suitable entity)Identify a policy challenge or “problem” Evaluate policy alternatives
Present a clear recommendation
Explain reasons for policy choice, including anticipated consequence (or “outcome”)Slide5
FORMAT FOR MEMOSHeader (to, from, date, subject)
Executive Summary
Your whole memo in one paragraph (written last)
Issue, analysis, solution (that is, the recommendation)
“You can have the most brilliant policy recommendation, but if your executive summary is terrible, it will go unread.”
Background
Relevant information only, summing nature of problem and public response
Analysis
Examination of possible policy options
Listing with pros and cons
Recommendation
State recommendation in one sentence.
Explain reasoning as necessary
Present action plan if appropriate
.Slide6
EARLIER ENTREATIES (ii)Use headings as appropriateKeep sentences short (<3 lines, preferably <2)Avoid passive voiceRemember audience:You are persuading someone to do something he/she is not now doing.
The reader has interests as well as authority.
Time for your memo is 1-2 minutes.
Do not appeal to altruism alone. Focus (if indirectly) on interests.Slide7
EARLIER ENTREATIES (iii)Careful about recipient/addresseeStrike a tone of level-headed moderationExecutive Summary (to be written last)Background (only relevant
information)
Analyis
: policy options (with
pros
and
cons
)
Recommendation:
Who
is supposed to do
what
? Not only
direction
or
content
of policy, but
process
as well.
Write and rewrite… and rewrite again…