Proposal Guide

To prepare you, the participant, for success during the proposal-creation process, Policy for the People’s organizing team has put together a list of staple resources/primers below. Check it out!

Table of Contents

1. Writing Style
2. Getting Briefed on Policy Briefs
3. Writing Template
4. Choosing Your References
5. Dominant Impressions in Policy Briefs
6. Another Template to Choose From
7. Sample Briefs
8. Overall Checklist
9. Resources For The Tracks

Writing Style

Here at The Pandemic Policython, there is no preferred referencing style (e.g. MLA, APA, Harvard, MHRA). However, please we do ask you to use 12 pt font size, single line spacing, and either Arial, Times New Roman, Times New Roman, Helvetica, Oswald, Proxima Nova, or Source Sans Pro font.

Getting Briefed on Policy Briefs

These are readings that go in-depth on how to craft a strong, cohesively-made policy brief.

1. How to Write a Policy Brief - by International Development Research Center (IDRC)
2. How to Write a Health Policy Brief - by American Psychological Association (APA)
3. A Guide to Writing Policy Briefs for Research Uptake - by RESYST: Resilient & Responsive Health Systems
4. How to Make a Policy Brief that has Real Impact - by Fast Track Impact’s Research Impact Guides
5. Writing Policy Briefs: A Brief Guide for Sociologists - by Sociology Policy Briefs
6. How to Plan, Write, and Communicate an Effective Policy Brief - by Research to Action
7. Writing Policy Briefs and Dissemination of Research - by The African Tax Administration Forum

Writing Template

The following is a proposal brief template that Policy for the People has set forth for any participant(s) to use. This template is adapted from the Human Sciences Research Council.

This template is meant to be a flexible guide to what your writing submissions can look like, not what it should strictly look like.

What does the asterisk symbol (*) mean in this section?

Section headers with * before it means that this section is required for the one-pager, if you choose to submit a one-pager.

However, all sections are required for the five-pager.

A one-pager (1 page) should be approx. 300 - 400 words. A five-pager (5 pages) should be approx. 2,000 words. Don’t worry if you go a little above or below the number of pages or words, kindly just submit what you have.

* Title

1. Short: Should be approx. 12 words. If that’s not possible, try to break up the title into a main title and subtitle!
2. Catchy: Use the most relevant keywords. Consider using a question for the title to capture the audience’s eyes.
3. To the point: Please be concise. Keep the title relevant to what is about to be read.

* Executive Summary (approx. 1 - 2 sentences)

1. Give the audience a preview of the most important points of your proposal.
2. Mention any outside viewpoints that will be talked about throughout your proposal.
3. Imply the proposal’s “end goal,” and/or what the proposal can look like when implemented.

* Abstract

1. SWOT Analysis (You do not have to write out this part, but think about how you want to convey your proposal’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)
2. Explain the key message.
3. Mention your audience. Who are you writing for? Why?

Introduction

1. Introduce the aim of your policy brief. Think of a growing tree. You can mention the following:

1. The “root” problem and who/what the problem has affected
2. The statistical context on where this problem has probably stemmed from (use statistics to try and trace back to the source(s) of the problem; detect, don’t suspect)
3. The present-day “branches” of the “root” problem
4. The effects or repercussions (“leaves”) that are seen today

Why are we talking about trees?

We chose a tree analogy when talking about the problem, as many problems, just like solutions, have a structure to them. In terms of what’s visible to the eyes, note that there are usually more leaves than branches on a tree, and more branches than roots.

However, feel free to introduce the problem in any order or way you wish.

2. Assess what’s already been done and said about the problem at hand.

1. What is currently being done about the problem?
2. Are there organizations or figures that would probably disagree with your ideas?
3. What are the “sides,” or “schools of thought” here, and how are they each handling the problem?

Details & Analysis

1. This is where a good portion of your outside sources will be referred to. We have provided a short list of sources that accompany the tracks but you are not required to use them. Pick the sources that will strongly support your proposal and are from credible resources (URLs ending with “.edu,” “.gov,” or “.org” are often credible). No need to directly quote your sources. Paraphrases are fine! Make it clear whether information, paraphrased or not paraphrased, was taken from online, or is your own analysis. How you choose to make this clear is up to you/your team.
2. Some (optional) questions to think about:

1. Are you an “issue-advocate” or an “honest-broker”  in your proposal?
2. What will your idea cost? Save?
3. What new “leaves” should be expected to “grow,” if any? In other words, what new problems/obstacles may arise early in the solution?

Conclusion

1. The conclusion is for you and/or your team to decide. Do you want to give an overview of the most important points? Highlight the logic in your proposal? Drive home a call-to-action? It’s 100% up to you.

References

1. Use no more than fifteen (15) sources, please!

Choosing Your References

In general, use your best judgement when looking for quality outside sources. Remember that the goal with policy briefs created under The Pandemic Policython is to write a solution-based proposal (i.e. the potential “solution”), given a problem statement (i.e. the “problem”) - with as little bias in your evidence as possible.

How do I detect “bias”?

Assess whether the publication or article you’re referencing encompasses any, or both, of these two (2) types of bias:

1. Technical bias: using evidence that does not follow the principles of scientific best practice.
2. Issue bias: using evidence that shifts political debates towards particular questions or concerns in a non-transparent way.

• Source(s): adapted from Health Knowledge UK, Grip Health (2016)

Dominant Impressions in Policy Briefs

We all know that policy briefs should be of politically-correct wording and professional tone, but what about dominant impressions?

Wait, what does it mean to be “politically-correct”?

Political-correctness: when conveying an idea or notion, this is the elimination of language and actions that may be offensive to others, especially that relating to certain identities within sex, race, and/or other historically-marginalized communities.

• Source(s): adapted from Cambridge Dictionary

What is a “dominant impression”?

Dominant impression: In the world of literature, this has to do with mood and using descriptive language. In policy proposals, this will have more to do with what the “controlling idea” of your statement is.

The dominant impression of your brief is influenced by the supporting details (i.e. the “evidence”) you choose to set forth. Your dominant impression is also influenced by your word choice.

Also, note that if two teams are analyzing the same track, the chances of both teams’ dominant impressions being the same are lower than you think.

In other words, your dominant impression is the unique “fingerprint,” the “controlling idea,” of your policy brief. It is not a problem. It is not a solution. It is the communication between the two.

• Source(s): adapted from the website of Lincoln University of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education, St. Louis Community College

Another Template to Choose From

The following is a proposal brief template that Policy for the People recommends you take a look through!

1. Policy Brief Template - by Model Systems Knowledge and Transition Center

Sample Briefs

The following links are working examples of what a finished draft can, but not strictly, look like.

1. Sample Brief on “Supportive housing for Ontario” - by Wellesley Institute for advancing urban health (2017)
2. Sample Brief on “Would a universal basic income reduce poverty?” - by Noah Zon (2016)
3. Sample Brief on “Federal Mandate for Infertility Treatment Coverage by Insurance Providers” - by Amber Johnson (2000)

Overall Checklist

Kindly go through this checklist, and see what applies, or “checks,” with your proposal so far. Ask yourself and/or your teammates these questions every so often.

NOT every box needs to be checked off, and you DO NOT show this checklist in your submitted proposals. This is optional for your team, and your team only, to use.

• Title
• Brief description of the issue to be discussed?
• Is supporting data available?
• If not, what is needed to collect supporting data in the future?
• Do you have a goal with your proposed solution?
• Do you know who needs to listen to your ideas for your proposal to be successful?
• Do you know who needs to support your ideas for your proposal to be successful?
• Did you think of what could go wrong?
• Did you think about what you expect stakeholders to say about your proposal?
• Did you think about what this idea will cost? What will it save?
• Did you discuss how you could measure if the initiative is a success or not?
• Do you know of any evidence suggesting this is an idea worth pursuing?
• Are you aware of existing initiatives that are already trying to help this problem?
• Do you know what a resident (of a community affected by the problem) would probably say about this solution?
• Do you have a prediction as to how long it will take for impact to be made?

This checklist was adapted from the website of The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Some Resources For Each Track

Public Health Resources

1. “Considerations for Wearing Masks” (CDC)
2. “How to Protect Yourself & Others” (CDC)
3. “Why Some People Don’t Wear Masks” (NPR)
4. Why do some people refuse to wear a mask? (Health)
5. “Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus” (University of Maryland Medical System)
6. Why Some People Choose to Not Socially Distance (Stanford)
7. “Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker” (NY Times)
8. “Mistrust of a Coronavirus Vaccine Could Imperil Widespread Immunity” (NY Times)
9. State Vaccination Requirements (CDC)
10. “The line is forming for a COVID-19 vaccine. Who should be at the front?” (ScienceMag)
11. “Public Health Expert Calls To Repair Distrust In A COVID-19 Vaccine” (NPR)
12. Best Countries For Women- Global Citizen
13. Best and Worst Cities for Women- Global Citizen
14. Facts About Violence Against Women- UN WHO
15. Violence Against Women During COVID- UN Women.
16. Facts About Violence Against Women- UN Women 

Economic Equity Resources

1. What Economic Equality Looks Like in America  (CNN)
2. Recommendations for creating jobs and economic security in the U.S. (EPI)
3. Race, Risk, and Workforce Equity in a Coronavirus Economy   (Policy Link)
4. Should Equity Be a Goal of Economic Policy (IMF)
5. Facts and Figures: Economic Empowerment
6. Distribution and Gender Effects on the Path of Economic Growth: Comparative Evidence for Developed, Semi-Industrialized, and Low-Income Agricultural Economies
7. Guaranteeing Employment during the Pandemic and Beyond | Levy Economics Institute
8. The Minimum Wage Study - Evans School of Public Policy & Governance
9. Equity in development: Why it is important and how to achieve it
10. Economic growth in the United States: A tale of two countries

 Criminal Justice Resources

1. Police Stops Are Still Marred by Racial Discrimination (Prision Policy Inititaive)
2. Implicit Bias and Policing (OAG)
3. How to Actually Fix America'sPolice
4. National Use of Force Data
5. Perspective | We spend $100 billion on policing. We have no idea what works.
6. (BJS) - State and Local Law Enforcement Training Academies, 2013
7. (BJS) - Contacts Between Police and the Public, 2015
8. Making Policing More Affordable: Managing Costs and Measuring Value in Policing
9. A Novel Training Program for Police Officers that Improves Interactions with Mentally Ill Individuals and is Cost-Effective
10. Police shootings database 2015-2020 - Washington Post 

Voting Resources

1. Voting and COVID-19
2. Voter Rights Letter to New York State Leaders

Technology Resources

1. How to Protect Your Digital Privacy - The Privacy Project Guides (NY Times)
2. What Is the Price of Privacy? (NY Times)
3. Why Your Online Privacy Matters (Norton)
4. Why protecting privacy is a losing game today—and how to change the game (Brookings) 
5. Americans and Privacy: Concerned, Confused and Feeling Lack of Control Over Their Personal Information 
6. Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border: Protecting the Data On Your Devices (EFF)
7. Right to Privacy in the Digital Age (OHCHR)
8. When it comes to internet privacy, be very afraid, analyst suggests (Harvard)
9. A legislative comparison: US vs. EU on data privacy (EDAA)
10. 2020 is an important year for digital rights in the US Here's our agenda. 

Policy for the People is an initiative based in Erevna

© Policy for the People 2020