Your Assignment

• Write two (2) International Economic  Issue Briefs
  • Undergraduates: Write 4 pages each

Elements of Your Policy Brief

1.      Brief Summary – one paragraph on first page

• The summary is the first thing a reader will see.
• Write the executive summary last because you will gain clarity on its content as you draft the other sections.

2.      Introduction  – two paragraphs

The introduction should set up the rest of the document and clearly convey your argument. Define why you are writing the brief and explain the importance of the topic to your audience. A good introduction should contain all of the relevant information for your argument. Describe the key questions of your analysis and your conclusions. The goal is to leave your readers with a clear sense of what your research is about while enticing them to continue reading.

3.      Research Overview

One of the most important sections of the brief because it explains the reasoning behind your policy recommendations. This section describes the problem that your policy recommendations intend to solve.

Summarize the facts to describe the issues, contexts, and research methods. Focus on two main elements: the research approach and the research results.

• Research approach: explain how the study was conducted, who conducted it, how the data was collected, and any other relevant background information.
• Research results: paint a general picture of the research findings before moving on to the specifics.  

Present the results in a way that lends them to your analysis and argument, but do not interpret them yet. The reader should have a firm understanding of the research and be primed for your argument. The goal is to take them on a journey that ends with them seeing the facts from your perspective.

• Focus on highlighting the benefits and opportunities stemming from the research.

4.      Analysis of findings

In this section, you interpret the data in a way that is accessible and clearly connects to your policy recommendations. Express ideas using active language and strong assertions. The goal is to be convincing but ensure that your analysis is balanced and defensible. Explain the findings and limitations of the research clearly and comprehensively.

• How do your research findings in terms of how they relate to concrete realities (instead of theoretical abstractions) so the reader will have a clear idea of the potential effects of policy initiatives?

5.      Recommendations

Detail the actions recommended by your research findings. Draw the link for your readers between the research findings and your recommendations. Ensure that all arguments are rooted firmly and clearly in evidence produced by your research.

What to include:

• Implications are the effects that the research could have in the future. Describe the potential consequences of policies. This is a good opportunity to provide an overview of policy alternatives by presenting your reader with the full range of policy options.
• Recommendations, Your recommendations should act as a call to action by stating precise, relevant, credible, and feasible next steps. It may strengthen your argument to demonstrate why other policies are not as effective as your recommendations.
• Think of the conclusion as a mirror to your introduction: you are once again providing an overview of your argument, but this time you are underlining its strength rather than introducing it.

Format, Style and other Requirements

1.      Sources in APA format as discussed in class.; at least 5 sources each for each papers

2.      Text format, Research and Analytical Requirements

1. Your text should be two columns, 1.15 spacing, Times New Roman, 12-point font, one-inch margins throughout the pages, and a Header with the course name, semester, Issue Brief Number and Date. Footer with your last name and page number.
2. Either MS Word or PDF.
3. Your research must be original research.
4. You must use a minimum of 5 appropriate sources. The sources must be academic or official/governmental sources. If you have doubts, please ask.
5. Your brief must contain two graphs or evidence that you have gathered data and manipulated the information using one or more of the techniques we have learned in this class.
6. Your issues must have an economic component. If you have doubts, ask.  Our course textbook has numerous examples.