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Policy Memos Resource

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Policy memo resource is an open site which aims to share lessons on policy writing, analysis and persuasion for those in and outside of government. Here you will find policy memos to explore and also short blog posts about what makes writing strong, and...

Harvard's Jane Rosenzweig reviews "Whistleblower" memo in New York Times

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I can’t tell you what’s going to happen to his blockbuster complaint about the president’s behavior, but I can tell you that the whistle-blower’s college writing instructor would be very proud of him. As a writing instructor myself for 20 years, I look at...

Insight from Ann Hardman, Foreign Officer at U.S. Department of State

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A common challenge for new drafters is shifting from an academic style to the more journalistic style and structure of effective policy writing. Most academic papers present arguments that lead to a final conclusion, much like a mystery novel with a...

Insight from Dan Koh, Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Labor

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In your opinion, what are one or two key elements of strong policy writing? The ability to clearly distill (in one page or less) the question at hand and the current debate or consensus on the issue. Using concise bullets with bolded key passages allows a...

Insight from Abigail Linnington, Ph.D. Professor of Practice, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Colonel (retired), U.S. Army

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Policy writing is critical to many aspects of public policy decision making as it is the primary way junior staff and middle-managers interact with senior leaders and inform their decision making. The Policy writing style uses simple, precise language and...

Insight from Mike Firestone, Chief of Policy and Strategic Planning, office of Mayor Michelle Wu, City of Boston

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In your opinion, what are one or two key elements of strong policy writing? My preference is for a succinct, two page (or so) memo that focuses on the key recommendations or decisions needed, including a very clear statement as to why the policy is needed...

Insight with Nick Sinai, HKS Adjunct Lecturer, Formerly U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer

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Strong policy writers tell a story, and frame the issue in context of where an Administration (or Agency) is trying to go. The best policy memo: Assumes reader has zero context and avoids jargon and acronyms Is clear about the goals; i.e. is it a decision...

"Present at the Catastrophe: Standing By as Turks Cleanse Kurds in Northern Syria," US Envoy Criticizes Trump Administration

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Memo reviewed by Michelle Barton, HKS MC/MPA This foreign policy memo (found in the New York Times article by Eric Schmitt, 11/7/19) is a clear and concise piece of writing in response to a mammoth decision in U.S. foreign policy. It was written to...

Insight from recent graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School National Security Fellow Program, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Figueroa

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What is your current title and your most recent title as a policy practitioner? Recent graduate of the National Security Fellow program at Harvard Kennedy School. My follow on assignment will be in Stuttgart, Germany serving at U.S. European Command as...

Joint Statement Between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar to Secure World Cup Qatar 2022

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Memo reviewed by Tom Pesce, MPA The memo I reviewed is a Joint Statement between the US DHS and the Qatar Minister of the Interior , regarding security measures for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In general, the memo's aim is to announce the partnership...

"Building a Secure Energy Future" a Memo From: Brookings Institute, To: President-Elect Barack Obama

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Memo reviewed by Leah Foecke, HKS MPP Apr 30, 2020 This memo is an example of a cross-organization memo – not written within an existing organizational hierarchy – that provides advice and advocacy from two Brookings Institution fellows to the newly...

12/05/20 Washington Post - Historians sue Trump administration to stop 'bonfire of records in the Rose Garden'

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The Washington Post Historians sue Trump administration to stop ‘bonfire of records inthe Rose Garden’ Screenshots are not “complete copies” of presidential records, they say Gillian Brockell Dec. 5, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. EST Two historian groups, an...