Choice 2: Policy Memo The intention of writing a policy memo is to convince readers of your policy recommendations. So unlike the annotated timeline in which you are recounting a mostly objective history, here the goal is to persuade..
Choice 2: Policy Memo
The intention of writing a policy memo is to convince readers of your policy recommendations. So unlike the annotated timeline in which you are recounting a mostly objective history, here the goal is to persuade. You can do this by finding evidence to support your argument and build your case. You can find more information on policy memos here (Links to an external site.) and here (Links to an external site.), and even more detail here (Links to an external site.).
For this assignment, you should choose one social problem (e.g. economic insecurity, child poverty, deep poverty, food insecurity). Then, use the policy memo to describe the problem, why current interventions are not solving the problem, and why your solution is better. The memo should include four sections:
First, discuss the problem – What are the causes? Consequences? Prevalence? Why is in important?
Then outline current interventions. Here you want to talk about the specific social welfare program or programs that are intended to address the problem. An example would be food insecurity being addressed by SNAP or food stamps, WIC, and the school lunch program. Debate whether or not these programs are working, in what capacity, and how they can be improved.
Once you have laid out the scope of the problem, existing interventions, and criticisms of interventions, outline your own policy recommendations. How would your recommendations be different and why would they be better? What would you expect to see if your recommendations were to be implemented?
This should be a 2-page document (single space, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins). There should be four sections: the problem, current interventions, criticisms of current interventions, and your solution, including your expectations if your recommendations were to be put in place.
Throughout, please make sure to properly cite your sources. If you are using class notes, you can simply say notes followed by the date, for example: (lecture notes, Oct. 13, 2020). Because policy memos are supposed to be concise and easy to read, you should also use headers.
(I will give you some links to use and there is a book you can use for the essay as well)
( My teacher is really picky and I’m so sorry she sent me an email about your last essay you did for me and this is what she said-Yes, your final essay needs to be revised. Specifically, I need you to draw on the readings. When we talked about assigning the incomplete, I asked you to start by going back and fully reading the materials that I assigned – for example, Desmond’s book on evictions. This book doesn’t just talk about housing, but it also talks about how rising rents prevent families from purchasing enough healthy food. Food insecurity as a problem is also tied to the absence of cash assistance – when families have no income to pay for utilities, they sell their food stamps. Your discussion of the problem should address some of these issues and cite the readings from class.
Your solution also does not align with the problem. Climate change is a huge issue for food insecurity globally, but that is not the case in the contemporary US. SNAP is actually very effective at reducing hunger, but as I mentioned above, there are other problems.
Please include some of the course readings and notes from lectures and send me a revised version. Try to get to 2 pages.)
I will put some links in our messages from my class