3. ● A tool to present a clear, concise
overview of a social problem, and
advocates for the best option(s) to
address the issue.
● Concisely and strategically presents
findings/analysis and recommendations
to a target audience
● Focused and easy-to-read
Briefing Note
5. Assignment Requirements
• 3 pages max (excluding title page and
references page)
• + 2 pages appendix
○ include relevant materials (i.e.,
stats, charts)
• Subtitle for each section
• Limit the number of direct quotes
• AOP & ABR & decolonizing analysis
• Clear arguments with supporting
evidences
• APA 7th format
• Times New Roman font size 12
• Double-spaced, 1 inch margins
• Page numbers
• Minimum 5 academic references
• + other sources
○ think tank reports, newspapers,
government reports, etc
6. Academic Writing Vs. Professional Writing
Academic Writing
• To showcase extensive research and
knowledge around a chosen topic
• Readers have more time to read
• Passive voice
• i.e. “What the policy may be missing
is…”
• “According to a 2020 research paper published by the Centre
for Disease and Control, it was found that approximately 1
million lives have been lost from opioid overdose”
Professional Writing
• To convince targeted audience or to
communicate in workplaces
• Readers have many other tasks, and
reading the report may be just one of
many tasks they have
• Active voice
• i.e. “This policy lacks…”
• “The opioid epidemic has taken over 1
million lives (CDC, 2020)”
7. Interesting Title
&
Target Audience
Issue/problem
Statement
(1 sentence)
Executive
Summary
(2-3 sentences)
Background
(1 paragraph)
Current Status
(2 paragraphs)
Key
Considerations
(2-3 sentences)
Recommendation
(1-2 paragraphs)
Conclusion
(2-3 sentences)
A Successful Briefing Note will have…
8. ● Think of a title that is engaging and inviting
● Identify the target audience and why [1-2 sentences]
● Issue Statement
○ In one sentence, describe the issue that your brief analyses.
○ Examples:
■ “The current state of the Canadian pension system is inadequate to meet
the needs of seniors.”
■ ”Securing safe, affordable housing for 2SLGBTQ+ folks is quite challenging
due to persistent housing discrimination.”
■ ”To implement a harm reduction approach, it is necessary to decriminalize
substance use and possession.”
Title and Policy Issue Statement
9. ● In 1-3 sentences (3 sentences maximum), summarize the main points of your
briefing note.
● This section should help readers quickly understand your argument.
● Example:
○ “Democracy is generally seen as a force for good, but women in sub-
Saharan Africa are less likely to support democracy than men. Research
shows how discriminatory social institutions — including biases in family
law and civil liberties and gaps in protections against physical violence—
are contributing to this gap.”
Executive Summary
10. ● In one paragraph, introduce your policy issue.
○ Describe its importance to social policy and social care, provide a demographic
profile of the communities that are affected, programs or services that are
currently available, etc.
● Provide the reader with an understanding of this issue’s importance and
urgency.
● The background should:
○ Identify what the problem is, and explain why it is important
○ Provide context (what is happening, where, and who is involved?)
○ Cause(s) of the current situation (Why is this happening?)
● The goal is to provide readers with a concise overview of your policy
issue and pique their interest to continue reading.
Background
11. ● This section should be two paragraphs maximum. This section is
your opportunity to provide a critical analysis of your policy
issue.
● Discusses:
○ What are the gaps in the current state of service provision?
○ What are the barriers people are facing?
○ The effects of the current situation (What is not working?)
● The goal of this section is to convince the reader that a problem
exists, and action is needed to rectify this.
Current Status
12. ● This section should be a few sentences (3 maximum).
● This is your opportunity to persuade the reader that
change is needed now. Your arguments can be based
on morality, social justice, available evidence, political
considerations, etc.
● In essence, convince the reader why something should
be done about this policy issue.
Key considerations
14. Conclusion and Additional Tips
strategic
focused
action-
oriented
succinct
analytical
organized
accessible
● In 3-4 sentences, summarize your arguments/policy
issues and recommendations.
● Try to convey a sense that change can happen with
action
● Leave an impactful impression on the reader
Conclusion
15. APA 7th Edition
Reference Page
● “References” bolded and centred
● Alphabetical order
● Hanging indent
● List all authors (up to 20)
● Italicize: book titles, journal names,
news article publishers, title of
electronic sources
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citatio
n/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html
APA Resources
• Owl Purdue Writing Lab APA
#3:A Briefing Note is usually prepared as part of a strategy seeking to advocate and/or introduce changes or expansions to current social policies and presented in a governmental consultation process, to a political representative, to funders or to a board of directors or as a Policy Analyst
Important to be concise: remembering that the decision makers read several notes each day while multi-tasking many other duties, or your organization meets a decision maker to advocate for the issue, you will get max 5 minutes to present your policy recommendations
#4:Strategic and professional writing, not academic writing
#8:Include population and sector in the issue statement
![● Think of a title that is engaging and inviting
● Identify the target audience and why [1-2 sentences]
● Issue Statement
○ In one sentence, describe the issue that your brief analyses.
○ Examples:
■ “The current state of the Canadian pension system is inadequate to meet
the needs of seniors.”
■ ”Securing safe, affordable housing for 2SLGBTQ+ folks is quite challenging
due to persistent housing discrimination.”
■ ”To implement a harm reduction approach, it is necessary to decriminalize
substance use and possession.”
Title and Policy Issue Statement](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/swp402briefingnotepresentation-hyunjin-copy-250404073739-df13e0db/85/SWP-402_-Briefing-Note-Presentation-Hyunjin-Copy-pptx67dc922e7d2587914-pptx-8-320.jpg)
