Policy Memo Assignment Instructions
Note that policy memos:
- Have a “header” which consists of words like: To, From, In reference to, and a date
Make sure you use a header on your policy memo! - Are again, like the op-eds you have written, NOT written like a standard academic term paper. You should use SHORT SENTENCES, GRAPHICS and bullet points!
- Policy memos do not have FOOTNOTES, though you can use words like “According to the Heritage Foundation’s 2015 survey of this question . . . .. ” Sources can be included on a final page underneath the word sources.
- You should also use HEADERS within your paper to organize the various sections of your policy memo
- You need to have the following HEADERS AND SECTIONS in your policy memo —
TO: (Your Governor — Pretend that your governor is considering legalizing recreational drugs in your state)
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
INTRODUCTION: (This should be a summary of up to 150 words of the material covered in your policy memo)
BACKGROUND: (Here you should explain the genesis of the current issue and existing legislative attempts to solve this policy problem. This section can include a TIMELINE if you wish)
POLICY ISSUES: (Discuss who might be affected by the proposed legislation and what some costs and benefits of your proposal (either to make recreational drugs legal or illegal)
RECOMMENDATION:
SOURCES:
List the two articles from Taking Sides using APA format.
You may also use up to three outside sources. For a policy memo, you may use information from the sources listed on p. 170 of Taking Sides
References
William J. Miller. 2020. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Political Issues, 21st edition. New York: McGraw Hill Education.
Sources from page 170 of Taking Sides:
- Citizens against Legalizing Marijuana: http://www.calmca.org/about/
- Marijuana Policy Project: http://www.mpp.org/
- National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws: http://norml.org/
Public Broadcasting Service
http://www.ps.org/wnet/need-to-know/ask-the-experts-/ask-the-experts-legalizing-marijuana/15474/