“The Policy Analyst’s Guide to Better Briefings”.
In partnership with noted policy studies academic Dr. Rod Dobell (Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria), eBriefings.ca Senior Associate Justin Longo is currently writing a textbook focussed on the challenge of writing effective, persuasive briefing notes.
There are currently a number of good textbooks separately serving the segmented markets of policy analysis and business/professional writing. However, there currently exists a gap in this market between the principles of policy analysis and the practice of professional communication. The objective of this project is to address that gap and specifically focus on policy briefings.
“The Policy Analyst’s Guide to Better Briefings” picks up where the policy analysis literature leaves off, and applies the professional writing literature to a specific writing task: the preparation of briefing notes. This text will guide students and practicing policy analysts through the task of translating grounded, reasoned policy analysis into persuasive policy advice in the form of written and presented briefing material.
As a complement to courses and textbooks centred on the task of assembling reasoned policy arguments and crafting sound policy recommendations, this text will strengthen the policy analyst’s understanding of how to develop a more persuasive version of their argument – one that appeals to the reader’s position and decision making objectives.
In addition to finding applicability in academic courses in policy analysis and professional writing, the textbook will also serve as a useful complement to workshops and eLearning solutions offered by eBriefings.ca, and will also be a handy desk-reference for practicing policy analysts.
Cover pages for several white papers (which form the basis for much of the material) are available. Please contact eBriefings.ca to obtain the full documents. A prospectus for the textbook is also available. Publication is anticipated in 2011.
