1. LATIN AMERICA IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
ANALYSIS OF READINGS AND THOUGHTS ON
POLICY MEMOS

2. DUE DATES February 17: Policy Memo #1 March 3: Analysis of Readings
March 10: Policy Memo #2

3. ON THE READINGS Careful reading of 3-6 papers or chapters
Within one topic or across topics (explain choices)
Not a summation or “book report”
Explore assumptions (sometimes hidden), use of methods, policy implications, overall persuasiveness
8-10 double-spaced pages

4. INITIAL THOUGHTS ON POLICY MEMOS
Imagine yourself as consultant to a Latin American government (or corporation or other suitable entity)
Identify a policy challenge or “problem”
Evaluate policy alternatives
Present a clear recommendation
Explain reasons for policy choice, including anticipated consequence (or “outcome”)

5. THERE’S NOTHING LIKE INFORMATION!
See memo on IR/PS formats
Length: 3 pages (single-spaced)
Double space between paragraphs
One-inch margins
Size 12 font (Times New Roman)

6. FORMAT FOR MEMOS Header (to, from, date, subject) Executive Summary
Your whole memo in one paragraph (written last)
Issue, analysis, solution (that is, the recommendation)
“You can have the most brilliant policy recommendation, but if your executive summary is terrible, it will go unread.”
Background
Relevant information only, summing nature of problem and public response
Analysis
Examination of possible policy options
Listing with pros and cons
Recommendation
State recommendation in one sentence.
Explain reasoning as necessary
Present action plan if appropriate.

7. ON WRITING Use headings as appropriate
Keep sentences short (<3 lines, preferably <2)
Avoid passive voice
Remember audience:
You are persuading someone to do something he/she is not now doing.
The reader has interests as well as authority.
Time for your memo is 1-2 minutes.
Do not appeal to altruism alone. Focus (if indirectly) on interests.

8. ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS Careful about recipient/addressee
Strike a tone of level-headed moderation
Executive Summary (to be written last)
Background (only relevant information)
Analyis: policy options (with pros and cons)
Recommendation: Who is supposed to do what? Not only direction or content of policy, but process as well.
Write and rewrite… and rewrite again…