Writing Public Policy A Practical Guide to Communicating in the Policy-Making Process

by Smith, Catherine F.

• ISBN13: 9780195145076
• ISBN10: 0195145070
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-17
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

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 institutionaldemocratic 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, andthe 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 aninvaluable 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.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Introduction: How to Use This Book	ix
Public Policy Making	1	(7)
Scenario	3	(3)
What This Scenario Shows	6	(2)
Communication in the Process	8	(11)
Standards	9	(1)
Participants, Roles, and Practices	10	(4)
A General Method of Communicating in a Public Process	14	(3)
Two Checklists	17	(2)
Definition: Frame the Problem	19	(23)
Three Scenarios	19	(3)
How to Define a Policy Problem	22	(7)
Four Examples	29	(13)
Legislative History: Know the Record	42	(20)
Two Scenarios	42	(3)
How to Conduct Legislative Research and Write a Legislative History	45	(7)
Two Examples	52	(10)
Position Paper: Know the Arguments	62	(14)
Two Scenarios	62	(4)
How to Argue in a Position Paper	66	(3)
Example	69	(7)
Petitions and Proposals: Request Action or Propose Policy	76	(17)
Three Scenarios	76	(4)
How to Ask for Action or Propose Policy on Behalf of a Group	80	(3)
Three Examples	83	(10)
Briefing Memo or Opinion Statement: Inform Policy Makers	93	(18)
Two Scenarios	93	(4)
How to Inform Policy Makers in a Briefing Memo or Opinion Statement	97	(2)
Two Examples	99	(12)
Testimony: Witness in a Public Hearing	111	(14)
Two Scenarios	111	(4)
How to Deliver Oral Testimony Based on a Written Statement	115	(4)
Two Examples	119	(6)
Written Public Comment: Influence Administration	125	(14)
Two Scenarios	125	(3)
How to Write a Public Comment	128	(2)
Three Examples	130	(9)
Conclusion Ready for Change	139	(2)
Framework, Function, and Form	139	(2)
Index	141