Paul Mundy Anatomy of a policy brief

Paul Mundy ODI Natural Resource Perspectives Published by ODI, London Since 1994 Focus on natural resources management “Present accessible information on current development issues and are sent to a wide audience of policy makers, researchers and people working in the non-governmental sector.”

Paul Mundy Elements of written communication Structure  How the information is organized Design  How it is presented Content  What it says

Paul Mundy Title Masthead Authors Summary Policy recommendations Publisher Sponsor Background Structure

Paul Mundy Case box Header Heading Text (“body”)

Paul Mundy Case box Subheading Graphic

Paul Mundy Conclusions Author info Publisher & series info Endnotes References

Paul Mundy Design 4 pages Attractive format Pull quote Boxes A4 size (actually, A3 folded) Clear headings 2 columns 2 colours

Paul Mundy Catchy title: grabs attentionShort summary of contents: what the reader can expect to learn Policy recommendations: if they read only this, they will have got the message! Content Short, easy-to-read text: don’t make the readers work to understand what you are saying

Paul Mundy Old vs new OldNew

Paul Mundy Components of a policy brief Title Executive summary Statement of the issue/problem Background Statement of your organization’s interests in the issue Pre-existing policies Policy options Advantages and disadvantages of each policy option Your recommendation Sources consulted or recommended Title Executive summary Context and importance of the problem Critique of policy option(s) Policy recommendations Appendices Sources consulted or recommended Title Statement of the issue Context and background Options: pros and cons Resources used

Paul Mundy Anatomy of an NRP brief Title Authors Summary Recommendations Background Body Evidence Examples (boxes) Tables and graphics Conclusions References Supporting information Acknowledgements