Drafting DLP Policy Briefs: A Guide - The Developmental ...

2Planning your policy brief - key questions• What issue(s) does it discuss?• Why is it important?• What recommendations are you making?• Is a policy brief the right vehicle for your argument?Planning your policy brief - structurePolicy briefs are short – 4 pages – and a maximum of 2500 words, which will be reduced if diagramsand other material are included, as recommended below. Do not feel that your brief must be close to2500 words. Shorter drafts are fine.Structure:• Executive statement: (100-150 words). Gives an overview of the purpose and overarching messageof the policy brief, catches the attention of the reader (usually written last). Here or in the introduction,establish your credibility. This is the section that will attract your readers: for more informationsee DLP – writing an executive statement• Introduction: (up to 200 words). Explains why this issue is urgent and/or important. Should makeyour audience want to continue reading.• Key messages: (usually 3, one brief sentence for each).• Methodology - but only if:• there was something unusual or even unique about your approach or• you need to establish a credible base for the recommendations that follow.• Results and conclusions:• have you constructed a logical line of argument for making your recommendations (below)?• objectivity – the author should feel free to express opinions but must identify those componentsthat are opinion-based• key evidence – focus on research or results that support the main argument of the brief• Recommendations or implications:• determine up to three key policy recommendations and/or implications• offer a summary with clear, strong and co-ordinated recommendations• ensure these are actionable (ie linked to specific policy processes, feasible in terms of policysteps to be taken)• References and useful links:• DLP uses ‘Harvard Style’ format for references – see Annex for a summary• ensure you link to any seminal work that’s directly relevant. This is also a good opportunityto link to any other relevant DLP work.• Author: the brief should demonstrate why the author is a credible messenger (eg, qualifications anddirectly relevant experience, links to prestigious organisations or other evidence).