Writing your First Draft of your Policy Issue Argument

Writing your First Draft of your Policy Issue Argument

As you start writing your paper, read through all parts of the assignment below. The grading criteria can give you a sense of organization for this paper, i.e. state the problem, the evidence, and your target solutions.

Include information from your Overview, writing concisely and condensing this information to read smoothly, while incorporating the additional criteria below. Therefore, summarize and edit as needed these three areas above: Policy issue defined, Fact and Evidence, and Existing Policy. As you move through your policy initiative, this information below needs to be considered and addressed as appropriate to your topic/your paper.

Policy issue is identified/defined for the audience Facts and Evidence Facts presented inform and are relevant to the problem. Evidence paints a clear and complete picture of the problem. Evidence sets the stage for alternatives to be proposed. Existing Policy Describe existing policies and why they do not adequately address the problem. Indicate why government intervention is needed. Identifies stakeholders and their perspectives. Next Steps Brainstorm possible alternatives to address/ameliorate the problem. Identify additional information you need to develop or eliminate potential solutions.

Now you will use this early Zoom draft of your project, incorporating feedback from the group, to develop the next ideas below. The next content to add is to identify alternatives to address the issue and decide on outcomes/data needed to show how to \’measure\’ success of an alternative.

Construct Options for Policy Change Identify at least three policy alternatives to address the issue – existing proposals or new ones. Alternatives are clearly explained, and likely to improve or mitigate the problem to some extent if not completely. Alternatives are distinctly different, but they do not have to be mutually exclusive. Each alternative may have subsets if appropriate. Consider Outcomes of Policy Options Connect your policy alternatives to measurable outcomes. Identify outcomes for each option you are considering, identifying evaluation criteria, if met, would resolve or partially mitigate the problem. Using your list of desired outcomes, develop a ‘possibility’ table, to rate your outcomes on the following policy evaluative criteria Political Feasibility, Effectiveness, Efficiency (reduces costs), Equity, Access, Quality, Improved health outcomes. In addition, include social justice, indicating how you would measure itAnd, address the main schools of thought on moral theory related to the topic (utilitarianism, Rawlsian, etc.)Consider unintended consequences associated with your policy alternatives that may impact anticipated outcomes of policy changes implemented.

Use the grading rubric to help you organize your paper. First clearly identify the problem with relevant facts/evidence (cited) to support \’why\’ this is a problem. This is the section on Current Thinking. Then move to your alternatives/options to address the issue by designing/implementing policy solutions. This is the section on New Thinking, using your \’new\’ work (above) regarding policy options and outcome measures.

The Grading Rubric for the first draft of your Policy Brief is below. You will earn all points if you include content listed. Organize your ideas in a way that makes sense to use. Hint: use sub-headings to direct your reader through your paper. Remember the style of writing is persuasive, not simply a list of facts and references. These need to be pulled together into an argument.
Current thinking about the issue to include:
** Problem is easily identifiable, plausible, insightful and shows original interpretation.
** Makes clear why this problem is current and important.
** Correctly identifies current and relevant polices and their implications.
** Provides accurate and complete explanation of key concepts and theories, synthesizing these ideas into a meaningful application to policy issue.
** Draws upon relevant literature, applying evidence to the explanation.
** Applies theory to practice, integrating the three components of evidence, theory, and practice.
New thinking about the issue:
** Poses new ways to think about the material/issue, suggesting alternatives to current thinking or other potential proposals.
** Suggests likely outcomes, both positive and negative, which may come about as a result of different, varied alternatives.
** Continues to base new thinking on information that is consistently relevant, current and accurate.
Writing skills to incorporate throughout:
** Clear presentation of original problem and purpose related to issue selected.
** Supporting information and ideas clearly define and explain significance of issue.
** Ideas are organized within paragraphs, flowing from one section to the next.
** Ideas are organized throughout the paper, creating a flow from problem to recommendations.
** Word choice and sentence structure are clear and concise, on target with issue at hand, and offer a descriptive, evidence-based account the reader can follow.
** Evidence of passion for the topic, demonstrating use of advocacy language and engagement skills.
** Correct writing mechanics, e.g. grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation, etc.
** APA 7th edition style used.
** Formatting consistent with UMSL College of Nursing (CON) requirements.

Your final paper, excluding title page, references, and any appendices added should be approximately 6 pages double-spaced, or 1500 words of text. As you write your draft, keep this page length in mind. The final paper includes an additional section, i.e. a summary with recommendations/action steps. Drafts are just that – a working document, which you will edit and fine tune for your final paper.