Policy Memorandum

Policy Memorandum Grading Rubric

This will be a detailed and specific memorandum addressed to a relevant state, international organization, or non-government official addressing a concrete policy question. The paper must be 2500 words and must be sent electronically to your instructor. Please note that the word limit is strict.

• Mechanics and style
  • Does the memo meet word count requirements (within a 10% margin of 2500 words not including footnotes or bibliography)?
  • Are all facts and sources cited using a recognized and consistent citation style? (MLA or Chicago styles are preferred. If you choose to use notes, please use footnotes rather than endnotes.)Is the bibliography also consistently formatted in the same style?
  • Is the memo free of spelling, grammatical, usage, and major stylistic errors? Is it clear and easy to read, yet written in a formal tone? Does it avoid jargon and state the problem and its solution in plain English? Note that the first-person (“I recommend…”) is acceptable. Also note thatbullet-points should generally be avoided in favor of plain language.
• Organization
  • Is the memo organized with a clear introduction that defines the problem, provides a roadmap for the memo, and summarizes the main recommendations?
  • Does the memo have a conclusion that draws together the key points?
  • Are there section headings, and do the section headings help the reader to follow the memo’s “story”?
• Research and statement of the problem
  • Does the memo identify a real-world policy problem that lacks an obvious solution?
  • Is the memo addressed to an audience that could reasonably be expected to implement the recommendations?
  • Does the memo accurately explain and describe the scope of the problem, explaining to the reader why he or she should care?
  • Does the memo draw accurately and effectively on major social science research and informed (expert) opinion surrounding the problem? Does the memo reference at least 15 sources, including at least 4 academic articles and4 “expert”/practitioner analyses (for example from reports, policy journals, newspaper op-eds, or other sources)?
  • Does the memo effectively summarize and explain the various (and often competing) positions taken by relevant actors on the problem?
  • Does the memo describe existing projects or proposals to address the problem, including those that run against the memo’s recommendations?
  • Does the memo link up to themes of global governance?
• Recommendations and Conclusions
  • Does the memo clearly state recommendations in a way that leaves no doubt as to the position of the author?
  • Do the recommendations address competing proposals and potential counter-arguments?
  • Does the memo take its chosen audience into account, recommending actions that could plausibly be taken by the memo’s recipient?
  • Are the recommendations plausible, taking into account the resources and circumstances necessary to carry them out?