Transcript socialwork.uw.edu

Strategies & Techniques
for Policy Writing
Presented by the SSW Writing Tutors:
Jenny Walden, EDP Writing Tutor | [email protected]
Julia Schneider, MSW Day/BASW Writing Tutor | [email protected]
Today’s Focus - Overview
(1) Framing the Policy Conversation
(2) Tips for Writing a Policy Analysis
➢ Readability, Accuracy, & Conciseness
(3) Pair-Ups
(4) APA Formatting
Policy Assignments
Differences:
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Page length
Format (Memo, Paper)
Concentration-focused (i.e., child welfare policy for CYF,
Affordable Care Act for Health, etc.)
Emphasis on social justice and/or social work
Application of different theories/class materials
Similarities:
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Analyze social issue/policy
o What does it do & why does it exist
o In context - social, political, economic, & cultural factors
o Perspectives - values, social justice
o Review/Critique
o Research evidence (statistics, literature)
o Recommendations/Solutions/Alternatives
Framing the Policy
Conversation
Nature & Scope of the Problem
Show, don’t tell.
Use statistics.
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Context
Policies don’t exist in a vacuum.
Society (Demographics, Values, History), Culture,
Economy, Religion, Politics - all influences/factors
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Recommendations/Solutions
How can this policy be strengthened to address this
specific societal need?
Social justice framework
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Look It Up
Read and reference the exact wording of the
law/policy/program! Go directly to the
source.
Resources:
Government/Departmental websites
U.S. Government Printing Office
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http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
 Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
 Search for policy/law/program
 Original text
Statistics/Data - Evidence
Research Databases|
http://guides.lib.washington.edu/databases
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Literature Review
o “Search for database title containing:”
o Examples: Legal Collection, LegalTrac, Social Work
Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts
 Keywords: Legal, Social, Health, etc.
U.S. Department/Government Websites
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Info. about acts/laws/programs, publications, other
resources, funding/monitoring
o Examples: U.S. Department of Health & Human
Services, Washington State Department of Health
U.S. Census | www.census.gov
Writing Tips for a Policy Analysis
1. Make it readable
2. Be accurate
3. Be concise
Writing Tip: Readability
1. Make it Readable
No matter how complex the issue is ideas must
be clear and readable. Check this by reading it
aloud to yourself or have a friend test its
readability.
Writing Tip: Readability
❖ Make your paper skimmable.
➢ Use Headings and Subheadings!
❖ Make the first sentence of a paragraph the topic
sentence and support, expand upon, and amplify the
initial statement.
❖ Keep each sentence of the paragraph focused on the
topic; when the topic changes, start a new paragraph.
❖ Use transitional language to show the logical
relationship between sentences and paragraphs.
Transitional Language (1 of 2)
Purpose: for this purpose, with this objective, to this end
Cause & Effect: consequently, thus, therefore, accordingly, as
a result, so, because, hence, since
Comparison & Contrast: similarly, likewise, by, but, however,
yet, nevertheless, on the other hand, whereas, in other words,
although
Addition & Elaboration: in addition, moreover, furthermore,
besides, again, that is, of course, after all, and, first, second,
third, ...finally
Transitional Language (2 of 2)
Emphasis: in fact, most important, indeed, above all
Exemplification: for example, for instance, in this case
Time: meanwhile, in the meantime, at the same time,
immediately, subsequently, next, then, at length,
formerly
Conclusion: to conclude, in conclusion, to sum up, last,
finally, at last
Writing Tip: Accuracy
2. Be Accurate
Policy analysis and recommendations must be
based on the most recent, accurate, and
complete information available.
Show, don’t tell!
Writing Tip: Accuracy
There are millions of displaced people worldwide including
many who are recognized as refugees for having crossed
international borders in order to flee from persecution or fear
of persecution.
VERSUS
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) reports that there are currently 45 million displaced
people worldwide, with over a third recognized as refugees for
having crossed international borders in order to flee from
persecution or fear of persecution.
Writing Tip: Conciseness
2. Be Concise
Keep your document as concise and focused as
possible so that your readers can spend a
minimum of time to get the information they
need.
Conciseness is a product of the revising and
editing stages!
Writing Tip: Conciseness
“So the writer who breeds more
words than he needs is making
a chore for the reader who
reads.”
-Dr. Seuss
“When a sentence is made
stronger, it usually becomes
shorter. Thus, brevity is a byproduct of vigor.”
-Strunk and White
“The ability to simplify
means to eliminate the
unnecessary so that the
necessary may speak.”
-Hans Hoffman
Exercise: Eliminating Wordiness
1. The subjects that are considered most important by
students are those that have been shown to be useful to
them after graduation. (22 words)
2. Taylor brought some candy back from Europe. It
wasn't shaped like American candy. The candy tasted
kind of strange to him. (21 words)
3. Government leaders like to mention the creation of new
jobs. They claim that these new jobs indicate a strong
economy. They don't mention that low-wage jobs
without benefits and security have replaced many good
jobs. (35 words)
Exercise: Eliminating Wordiness
1. Students think that the most important subjects are
those that will be useful after graduation. (15 words)
2. Taylor brought some strange-tasting candy back from
Europe that wasn't shaped like American candy. (15
words)
3. Government leaders like to mention the creation of new
jobs, claiming that these jobs indicate a strong economy,
but ignoring the fact that low wage jobs without benefits
and security have replaced many good jobs. (34 words,
but flows much better!)
Questions?
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Purpose:
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If you can explain your policy to someone else from a
different concentration, then chances are you are you will
be able to write about that policy in a clear, concise way.
Sometimes when you’re writing, you may forget to include
things that to you seem obvious or implied. However,
getting a fresh perspective can help clarify if there are any
gaps in your explanation.
Writing works well when it is collaborative.
It’s interesting to hear what your classmates are writing
about and studying in their classes!
Pair Up Activity - Practice
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Pair up with someone from a different concentration than
you.
You’ll take turns (about 7 minutes each).
Explain your policy in a straightforward manner.
Ask follow-up questions and probe until fully understand the
other person’s policy.
What does the policy mean?
Why was it implemented?
Why does it interest you?
better?
Who does it impact?
Who enacted it?
When was it implemented?
Why does it matter?
How could it be
Who’s paying for it?
Who monitors it?
Discussion
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How did this exercise go?
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What worked well?
What challenges did you have?
Take away strategies?
APA Citations - Resources
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/886.htm
http://legacy.lib.westfield.ma.edu/legalapa.htm
http://www.unk.edu/uploadedFiles/academics/library/gov_do
c/about/Citing%20Government%20Documents%20%20APA%20Style%202010.pdf
http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2013/02/writing-referencesfor-federal-statutes.html
http://cooklibrary.towson.edu/helpguides/guides/APA_govLe
gal.pdf
Writing Resources
SSW Writing Support
http://socialwork.uw.edu/students/services/writing-support
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Writing tips, workshop info, writing resources
Writing Tutor - Julia (MSW Day/BASW Tutor)
http://www.doodle.com/sswwrite | [email protected]
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Writing tutor meetings - 50 mins.
Odegaard Writing Center
http://depts.washington.edu/owrc/
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Writing tutor appointments - schedule online
Handouts & resources
Your Professors
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Ask questions about the assignment
Your Peers
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Talk through concepts
Peer edit