A policy brief--a formal document--is a two-page briefing paper written by an expert for a policy decisionmaker. The expert reduces the complexity of an issue to its core elements, presents policy options or scenarios on which decisionmakers may base their final determination, and assesses the benefits/costs associated with each option. Decisionmakers, governmental or nongovernmental, are too busy to do their own background research; they depend on concise policy briefs from analysts as they consider, then decide on, policy choices. Preparing briefing papers is a skill worth having whether you work in the future for a CEO of an MNC, the head of an NGO, a member of Congress, the governor of your state, or the Secretary -3- of State. In your policy brief: very briefly explain the policy problem and its origins; offer three policy options for action in response to the problem; and explain the benefits/costs associated with the outcome of each option within the context of different levels of analysis.

     Your paper should be two pages maximum, exclusive of cover page. The paper must be double-spaced and typed, with flawless grammar, sentence structure, spelling, margins (at least one inch), use of paragraphs, and clear print-out. A cover page in memorandum format (see below) should include the name of your assigned alter-ego. A brief statement should be made on the cover (see below). Use headings/subheadings to distinguish among the parts of the briefing to provide structure. This is not a research document: endnotes should be minimalized unless you are drawing directly on specialized knowledge offered by others. The source of the information you are using may follow the sentence in parentheses.

                                                                               Memorandum

To: William Jefferson Clinton President of the United States The White House

From: Sandy Berger, National Security Advisor to the President National Security Council

Re: Environmental Terrorism

Date: January 15, 2000

Per your request, attached find a briefing paper on environmental terrorism following the attempted smuggling of illicit chemical substances into the United States in December and choices facing the Administration in the months ahead. This paper draws on data from the Departments of Energy, Defense, and State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Central Intelligence Agency.

I. Format and Style

_________ organization/structure

_________ creativity

_________ effectiveness

_________ use of full names and titles of sender and recipient; appropriate date

_________ cover page in full memorandum format

_________ within two page limit

_________ spelling, grammar, sentence structure, paragraphs, margins, and pagination

_________ submitted on time

II. Substance

_________ concise introduction of policy problem

_________ clear list of policy options listed up front in introductory paragraph

_________ authenticity of policy options

_________ logical sequence of policy options

_________ clear explanation of each policy option

_________ pros and cons (or costs and benefits) of each policy option

_________ consideration of different levels of analysis