1. Policy briefs as a communication tool or Writing for non-researchers Karin Backteman Karin Backteman EfD 2008
2. Principles of communication 1. Keep your target audience in mind 2. Keep a dialogue 3. Distill your key messages ! Karin Backteman EfD 2008
3. 1. Have your target audience in mind Who? Policy context? Language? Research = solution of a problem? Message received? Tailor it! Karin Backteman EfD 2008
4. 2. Keep a dialogue (from the beginning) How to collaborate? How can I communicate the key points of my research? To whom is it relevant? Karin Backteman EfD 2008
5. 3. Distill your key messages … very complex research findings … 1–3 key points … into: clear concise messages ! Karin Backteman EfD 2008
7. “ ... policy briefs are short documents that present the findings and the recommendations of a research project to a non-specialist readership …” Definition from Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Karin Backteman EfD 2008
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10. Checklist when writing a policy brief 1. START with what’s most IMPORTANT ! Key points? Essence? Purpose? Title … hook them, convince them! Karin Backteman EfD 2008
11. 2. Simplify – Find your core message! Set aside your academic texts The point? Why important? Peel off the unnecessary stuff, again and again Find your core message Tell your friend ! Pretend: press release or newspaper article Karin Backteman EfD 2008
12. 3. Language! Avoid researcher jargon! ( Price elasticity …) Straightforward, informal language Explain scientific concepts – in simplest way Spell out acronyms Active voice Translation? Karin Backteman EfD 2008
13. 4. Give the reader a break! Shorter paragraphs Subheadings Karin Backteman EfD 2008
14. 5. Illustrate! Figures, graphs, photos Captions Copyrights picture? make it visual … Karin Backteman EfD 2008
15. 6. Tailor to context! Realistic – Applicable Locally specific – Local language Where in the policy cycle? Karin Backteman EfD 2008
