Public Policy Writing That Matters 3rd Edition
The trusted guide to honing your public policy writing skills and making a significant impact on the world, thoroughly updated and expanded.
Effective policy writing holds the transformative power to inspire action, shape public opinion, and influence outcomes. In the third edition of Public Policy Writing That Matters, communications expert David Chrisinger, who directs the Harris Writing Workshop at the University of Chicago and worked in the US Government Accountability Office for nearly a decade, continues to demystify the art of writing persuasively about public policy.
Effective public policy writing is a catalyst for meaningful societal change. Chrisinger argues that by mastering the craft of clear, concise, and compelling communication, writers can elevate their ability to influence decision-makers, mobilize communities, and drive lasting and positive change. The book combines practical advice, insightful analysis, and hands-on exercises to provide a comprehensive guide for readers who want to improve their policy-writing skills. Offering real-world examples and cautionary tales, it offers a step-by-step approach to crafting impactful policy analysis, leveraging evidence, and framing arguments persuasively.
Aimed at helping students and professionals overcome their default impulses to merely “explain,” this book reveals proven tips for writing sophisticated and persuasive policy analysis that is also easy to understand. For anyone interested in planning, organizing, developing, writing, and revising accessible public policy, Chrisinger offers a step-by-step guide that covers everything from the most effective presentation methods to the best ways to write a sentence.
Public Policy Writing That Matters 3rd Edition:
As a Management Analyst focused on state and federal legislation, I write memos that inform my director on a wide range of policy topics that impact, or could potentially impact, Arapahoe County. Consistently, I return to the frameworks within the worn covers of my copy of David’s 2nd Edition of Public Policy Writing That Matters.
As a professional staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, I use the lessons from this insightful book to write memos that break down complex topics and to craft speeches that highlight the importance of policy solutions for a broader audience.
I have struggled my whole career with understanding the reader and their needs. Not until this book did I find a comprehensive and straightforward framework to think about the reader more holistically as I navigate my relationship with them during my writing process.
The most challenging responsibility fora public policy professional is not developing a point of view, but rather getting someone in power to agree with you and take action. Professor Chrisinger taught me the power of persuasion to effectively advocate for my position and build trust with policymakers on both sides of the aisle.