A policy brief is a concise summary of information that helps readers understand and make decisions about policies, typically government policies. They usually provide an objective summary of relevant research, suggest possible policy actions, advocate for courses of action.
Policy briefs help policymakers decide what to do and inform them of the problem and its impact. They summarize the best available evidence that supports why the policies need to change to effectively solve an issue.
**Adapted from Policy Briefs - the Writing Center, University of North Carolina.
Use evidence - Support the recommendations you are making with research (data, statistics, scholarly studies, government reports) to advocate for a policy change
Be concise - Use direct language, avoid jargon, and summarize the problem
Organize information - Clearly label sections of your brief, include images, charts, and graphics that will attract readers to the information and provide clarification