Mastering Policy Briefs and Recommendations for UN Competitive Exams

Policy briefs are concise documents that summarize a particular issue, present policy options, and make recommendations. They are crucial tools for informing decision-makers, particularly in international organizations like the UN. For competitive examinations, demonstrating proficiency in writing effective policy briefs is a significant advantage.

Understanding the Purpose and Audience

Before writing, it's vital to understand who you are writing for and what you aim to achieve. The UN audience is diverse, often including busy policymakers, diplomats, and technical experts. Your brief must be clear, persuasive, and actionable, cutting through jargon and presenting complex information efficiently.

What are the two primary goals of a policy brief?

To inform decision-makers about an issue and to persuade them to adopt specific policy recommendations.

Key Components of a Policy Brief

Crafting Persuasive Recommendations

Recommendations are the heart of a policy brief. They must be:

Specific: Clearly state what needs to be done.
Actionable: Feasible for the intended audience to implement.
Evidence-based: Supported by research, data, and analysis presented in the brief.
Prioritized: If multiple recommendations are made, indicate their relative importance.
Concise: Easy to understand and remember.

Think of your recommendations as a roadmap for the decision-maker. They should be clear, direct, and inspire confidence in their feasibility and effectiveness.

Writing Style and Tone

Maintain a professional, objective, and authoritative tone. Avoid overly academic language, jargon, and emotional appeals. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and logical flow. Use strong topic sentences and transition words to guide the reader.

The structure of a policy brief can be visualized as a funnel, starting broad with the context and narrowing down to specific, actionable recommendations. The executive summary acts as a preview of the entire funnel's contents. The problem statement is the core issue, and the analysis of options explores different paths to address it, culminating in the most effective path presented as recommendations.

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Text-based content

Library pages focus on text content

Tips for Success in Competitive Exams

When writing for an exam, pay close attention to the prompt. Identify the specific issue, the target audience (often implied), and the required format. Practice writing briefs under timed conditions. Ensure your recommendations are directly linked to the analysis and the problem statement. Proofread meticulously for grammar, spelling, and clarity.

What are the four key characteristics of effective policy recommendations?

Specific, actionable, evidence-based, and prioritized.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Pitfall	Impact	How to Avoid
Too long or wordy	Reader disengagement, key points missed	Be concise, use bullet points, focus on essential information
Lack of clear recommendations	Decision-maker confusion, no clear path forward	Ensure recommendations are explicit, actionable, and directly linked to analysis
Overly academic or technical language	Inaccessibility to a broad audience	Use clear, plain language; define technical terms if necessary
Weak evidence base	Lack of credibility, recommendations not persuasive	Support all claims and recommendations with robust data and analysis

Learning Resources

Policy Briefs: A Guide to Writing and Designing(documentation)

A comprehensive guide from the Overseas Development Institute on the principles and practices of writing effective policy briefs.

How to Write a Policy Brief(video)

A clear and concise video tutorial explaining the essential steps and components of writing a policy brief.

Writing Effective Policy Recommendations(documentation)

A practical guide from the Brookings Institution focused specifically on crafting persuasive and actionable policy recommendations.

The Policy Process: An Introduction(documentation)

Provides foundational knowledge about the policy cycle, which is essential for understanding the context in which policy briefs operate.

United Nations Policy Briefs Examples(documentation)

Access to actual policy briefs published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, offering real-world examples.

What is a Policy Brief?(blog)

An accessible overview of what constitutes a policy brief, its purpose, and its typical audience.

Crafting Policy for Impact: A Guide for Researchers(documentation)

A guide that helps researchers translate their findings into policy-relevant language and formats, including policy briefs.

The Art of Policy Analysis(documentation)

A research brief from RAND Corporation discussing the principles and practice of policy analysis, a core component of policy briefs.

Writing for Policy Makers(documentation)

Guidance on how to effectively communicate research and analysis to policymakers, with a focus on clarity and relevance.

Policy Brief Template and Examples(documentation)

Provides a practical template and examples to help learners structure and write their own policy briefs.

Writing Policy Briefs and Recommendations