Full Description
Writing Public Policy is a practical, concise guide to writing and communicating in public policy processes. Designed to help students understand and perform common types of communication used in solving public problems, this text explains the standards and functions of communicating in the public sector and teaches the use of selected public policy communication genres. Catherine F. Smith presents a general method for planning, producing, and assessingcommunications in a variety of real-life contexts and situations of public policy work.This book presents a general method for planning, producing, and assessing communications in varied real-life contexts and situations of public policy work. It explains the standards and functions of communication in policy making. It teaches the use of selected public policy communication genres and illustrates their practical use. It teaches critical thinking and language awareness. It includes numerous writing samples. It prepares students for careers in politics, government, law, publicadministration, public relations, nonprofit organization advocacy, journalism, public health, or any profession engaged in public process or concerned with public affairs. It is a lively, useful manual of practice for real-world communicators.
Contents
Brief Contents ; Preface ; IntroductionWriting Samples ; Processes ; Chapter 1 Public Policy Making ; Chapter 2 Communicating ; Practices ; Chapter 3 Definition: Frame the Problem ; Chapter 4 Evaluation: Analyze and Advise ; Chapter 5 Legislative History: Know the Record ; Chapter 6 Position Paper: Know the Arguments ; Chapter 7 Petition, Proposal, Letter: Request Action ; Chapter 8 Briefing, Opinion, Resolution: Inform Policy Makers ; Chapter 9 Testimony: Witness in a Public Hearing ; Chapter 10 Public Comment: Influence Administration ; Conclusion: What Public Policy Writing Means ; Principles ; Appendix A: Writing Clearly ; Appendix B: Interpreting Data to Support Policy Argument ; Index ; FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS ; Preface ; Introduction: How to Use This Book ; List of Writing Samples ; Processes ; Chapter 1 Public Policy Making ; Key Concepts ; Illustration 1: Milk Labeling ; Illustration 2: Budgeting ; Summary and Preview ; References ; Further Reading ; Chapter 2 Communicating ; Key Concepts ; Viewpoint 1: Cultural Context ; Viewpoint 2: Experience ; Viewpoint 3: Process and Product ; Viewpoint 4: General Method of Communicating in a Public Process ; Two Checklists ; Example ; Summary and Preview ; Further Reading ; Practices ; Chapter 3 Definition: Frame the Problem ; Key Concepts ; How to Define a Policy Problem ; Five Examples ; Summary and Preview ; References ; Further Reading ; Chapter 4 Evaluation: Analyze and Advise ; Key Concepts ; Illustration: <"Agroterrorism, the Threat to America's Breadbasket>" ; How to Critically Evaluate Policy and Analyze Policy Discourse ; Three Examples ; Summary and Preview ; References ; Further Reading ; Chapter 5 Legislative History: Know the Record ; Key Concepts ; How to Conduct Legislative Research and Write a Legislative History ; General Tips for Using Government Information Libraries ; Two Examples ; Summary and Preview ; References ; Chapter 6 Position Paper: Know the Arguments ; Key Concept ; How to Argue Policy ; Example ; Outline of the Argument to Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in the United States ; Summary and Preview ; References ; Further Reading ; Chapter 7 Petition, Proposal, Letter: Request Action ; Key Concepts ; How to Petition, Propose, or Write a Letter Requesting Action on Behalf of a Group ; Four Examples ; Summary and Preview ; References ; Chapter 8 Briefing, Opinion, Resolution: Inform Policy Makers ; Key Concepts ; How to Inform Policy Makers in a Briefing Memo, Opinion Statement, or Resolution ; Three Examples ; Summary and Preview ; Suggestion for Further Reading ; Chapter 9 Testimony: Witness in a Public Hearing ; Key Concepts ; How to Deliver Oral Testimony Based on a Written Statement ; Develop a Testimony in Context ; Two Examples ; Summary and Preview ; References ; Chapter 10 Public Comment: Influence Administration ; Key Concept ; How to Write a Public Comment ; Four Examples ; Summary and Preview ; References ; Conclusion: What Writing Public Policy Means ; About Clarity ; Preview ; Principles ; Appendix A: Writing Clearly ; Appendix B: Interpreting Data to Support Policy Argument ; Index
