Writing and Reflecting

A policy brief is a short, decision-oriented document that distills a single public problem, the best available evidence, and specific actions for a named audience (e.g., a school administrator, city office, or committee). Good briefs summarize options and recommend one—with just enough context to act—rather than recounting all research. Think of it as translation for busy decision-makers: clear purpose up front, no tangents, and every paragraph tied to the ask.

Briefs are written for non-specialists who make or influence policy, not for academic peers. That includes administrators, legislators, agency staff, or organizational leaders. The emphasis is on what the audience can do next and why it matters now, not on methods.

Most policy readers spend ~30–60 minutes total on a topic and prefer concise, visually clear summaries; long, technical prose gets skipped. Leading guides (IDRC, FAO, universities) therefore recommend 2–3 pages max, plain language, and one figure/table to carry the key point—plus links to the full report if needed.