Imagine that you have started an interest group on an issue you care about. For example, you might decide to start a group that helps homeless puppies. (This is only an example. Please don’t use this topic). Decide on a policy action your group would like to support. In the case of a homeless puppies group, it might be funding for a pilot program to expand animal shelter capacity, a subsidy program for veterinary care, or any of a million other proposals.
Note: if you are already working for an interest group and would like to use your own issue, please do so. However, don’t simply turn in something you’ve already written for that group. Create something new.
Research the issue and write a one-pager (which is really ONE PAGE) that expresses your organization’s opinion on why this is a good idea. In that one-pager, be sure to cover the following:
Note: if you are already working for an interest group and would like to use your own issue, please do so. However, don’t simply turn in something you’ve already written for that group. Create something new.
Research the issue and write a one-pager (which is really ONE PAGE) that expresses your organization’s opinion on why this is a good idea. In that one-pager, be sure to cover the following:
- Background on the issue: Why is it important? In the homeless puppy example you might provide statistics on the number of homeless puppies in the world.
- Why does it need to be addressed?: Why should your audience care? And remember they won’t think it’s a problem just because you say it is. For example, for the homeless puppies you’d need to come up with something better than “they’re cute and I like them.”
- Your proposed solution/idea for mitigation: Express (briefly) your policy idea (i.e., “we are seeking funding for a pilot program in three states to improve shelter capacity by XYZ”).
- Why your solution is the best idea: This is where you’d provide your justification for your idea, and, where relevant, why other proposed solutions might not work. For the homeless puppies example, you might say that a pilot program for animal shelter capacity is better that a subsidy program for veterinary care because 85% of homeless puppies need to be housed somewhere before they will even get to a point where they need veterinary care. (Yes, that statistic is made up. DO NOT MAKE UP YOUR STATISTICS, but do have some real proof available).
A simple Google search will provide you with hundreds of examples should you need them! Also, be sure to review the writing tips from Unit One of this class. They will help you create a quality produc