Tell a Compelling Policy Story

In a democracy, policy analysis supports discussion and decision-making—talking rather than reading—to inform and support incremental social problem-solving. Telling a compelling policy story and communicating clearly and well are part of the craft. Three mindsets to frame the task and how you approach it are: policy analysis (and policy-making) start and end with talking, not writing and reading; what we say needs to help our audience see and understand both the big picture and the detail (the wood and the trees) of a policy problem, potential solutions, and how a recommended option might be implemented practically; and less is more (so what can we leave out?). Tools and techniques to support compelling communication of policy analysis and advice are: put the most important information first; write it how you would say it (write for the ear, not the eye); and prepare carefully for verbal presentations, because getting a report signed out to decision-makers is not the end of the story.