1. REFLECTIONS ON POLICY MEMOS #1 LATIN AMERICA IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

2. GRADE DISTRIBUTION A= 2 A-= 8 A-/B+ = 6 B+=12 B = 7 B-= 3 C+= 1 Missing= 2 Total=41

3. COMMENTARY Structure  Not everyone used “official” format  Executive Summary could have used more attention  Choice of addressee not always self-evident Content  Frequent focus on domestic not international issues  OK for one of three writing assignments  Those who did it this time have used up their quota  Confusion of goals with policies  Action Plan: Who it supposed to do what? Style  Grammar and syntax  Use Spellcheck and/or advice from a friend  Read drafts out loud (to yourself or to a really good friend)

4. EARLIER ENTREATIES (i) 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. 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.

6. EARLIER ENTREATIES (ii) 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.

7. EARLIER ENTREATIES (iii) 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…