Synopses & Reviews
Writing Public Policy is a hands-on, concise guide to writing and communicating in public policy processes. Designed to help students, practitioners, and other "doers" understand and perform common types of communication used in solving public problems, the book introduces the institutional democratic process in the U.S. and explains the standards and functions of communicating in the public sector.
Coverage includes:
* A general method for planning, composing, and assessing communications in a variety of real-life contexts and situations
* Specific instructions for writing and speaking in public policy processes
* Scenarios that illustrate the complexity in policy processes, highlighting their diversity of contexts--including state agencies and local boards, non-profit organizations, federal government committees, special interest groups, and professional associations--the variety of actors involved, and the range of communication types produced
* Commentary relating the scenarios and examples to the general method
* Checklists of expected standards to enable communicators to assess their products
Highly practical and accessible, Writing Public Policy demonstrates the skills and techniques needed to effectively communicate in the democratic process of making public policy. Ideal for courses in public policy studies, civic writing, and technical/business/legal writing, it is also an invaluable resource for practitioners--and students preparing for careers--in public policy, politics, government, public relations, law, journalism, social work, public health, or in any area concerned with public affairs.
Review
"We (as faculty) need to improve the ways students write about and communicate in public policy. It is a practical skill we most neglect in our teaching--and the very one that prepares students for the real world of public affairs. In sum, we've needed a book like this for a long time--it will aid us in teaching skills as well as knowledge to our students."--Daniel Gitterman, University of North Carolina
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction: How to Use This Book
Chapter 1. Public Policy Making
Scenario
What This Scenario Shows
Chapter 2. Communication in the Process
Standards
Players and Their Roles
A General Method of Communicating in a Public Process
Two Checklists
Chapter 3. Definition: Frame the Problem
Three Scenarios
How to Define a Policy Problem
Four Examples
Chapter 4. Legislative History: Know the Record
Two Scenarios
How to Conduct Legislative Research and Write a Legislative History
Two Examples
Chapter 5. Position Paper: Know the Arguments
Two Scenarios
How to Argue in a Position Paper
Example
Chapter 6. Petitions and Proposals: Request Action or Propose Policy
Three Scenarios
How to Ask for Action or Propose Policy on Behalf of a Group
Three Examples
Chapter 7. Briefing Memo or Opinion Statement: Inform Policy Makers
Two Scenarios
How to Inform Policy Makers in a Briefing Memo or Opinion Statement
Two Examples
Chapter 8. Testimony: Witness in a Public Hearing
Two Scenarios
How to Deliver Oral Testimony Based on a Written Statement
Two Examples
Chapter 9. Written Public Comment: Influence Administration
Two Scenarios
How to Write a Public Comment
Three Examples
Conclusion: Ready to Change
Framework, Function, and Form