Please compose a domestic policy memo on an important issue connected to our study of American National Government this term. The memo should be written to an influential stakeholder (the president, member of Congress, the Supreme Court, the head of a major interest group or corporation, etc.) who would benefit from having access to your expert analysis and recommendations. The body of the memo should be 4-6 pages double-spaced. Chicago-style citations and a bibliography must also be included (and are not included in the 4-6 page length requirement). As with the op-ed, the best strategy is to read a collection of “memos” so that you can get learn from the experts.
Suggested Steps for Working on the Domestic Policy Memo Assignment
1. Read examples of memos For the opinion-editorial assignment, I suggested that you read pieces by Charles Blow, David Brooks, Frank Bruni, Gail Collins, Maureen Dowd, Thomas Friedman, George Will and other op-ed writers to get a feel for this genre. My advice for the domestic policy memo assignment is the same! Find some examples of memos and read them to get a feel for the kinds of topics that are addressed and how the authors’ organize their thoughts and advance their arguments. Two excellent sources for memos are the magazine Foreign Policy and the Brookings Institute. I have included links. In general, the Foreign Policy and Brookings Institute memos will serve as excellent models in terms of their clearly defined topics, logical organization and use of evidence to support recommendations. Please be aware, however, that your memo MUST include a bibliography and Chicago-style citations–even though these may not be included in the example memos.
2. Identify a topic of interest to you that is relevant to our study of American national government In POS 101, our subject matter is American national government. So, advice given to the Emperor Augustus on reforming the Roman state in the year 30 BCE might make for a creative memo it would not be acceptable for this assignment. Nor would a memo to Teresa May (current British Prime Minister) on keeping Conservatives in control (our course is about American politics–not British). Think in terms of policy areas and issues of interest. Here are 10 examples: Bias in the Media and Fake News The Black Lives Matter Movement The Criminal Justice System Education Policy Foreign Interference in US Elections Gun Control and the Second Amendment Health Care Policy The Ideological Balance on the Supreme Court Social Security Reform (or Tax Reform) The Threat of Domestic Terrorism
3. Find a minimum of five sources to read on your topic This assignment required research on your part. You may already be passionate and knowledgable about a topic, but that does not mean you can just poor your heart out in a four page “data dump” for this assignment. You need to draw on a range of academically-appropriate sources (no Wikipedia!) to deepen your understanding of your selected topic. You will also need to list your sources in a bibliography and provide either footnotes or endnotes as part of your memo. Think in terms of books, journal articles, newspaper and magazine reportage, videos (congressional hearings on CSPAN, documentary films), survey data on American attitudes, etc.
4. Formulate a thesis statement Think of the domestic policy memo assignment as your opportunity to offer analysis and recommendations to an important stakeholder or decision-maker on an issue relevant to our course of study this semester. Be sure you can answer these three questions: (1) What is my main point? (2) What evidence can I provide to support my thesis? (3) What specific recommendations am I offering to the reader of my memo?
5. Do a self-assessment of your submission A rubric for this assignment will be provided. Please consult it so you have a sense of how your paper will be evaluated.
6. Ask for help Don’t suffer in isolation. If you need help, please ask. You may message me or (if you are close to campus) come to my office for assistance on this assignment. Try to have fun and take pride in your work.