1 This document is intended to provide objective, nonpartisan analysis that is both fair and evidence-based. Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) does not endorse or support specific policies or policy positions. Guide to Writing an Effective Policy Memo Fundamentals Policy memos are straightforward documents that analyze an issue and offer recommendations to inform and guide a decision-maker. They might be written by policy advisors, advocates, or everyday citizens seeking to effect change in their community. Although context, purpose, and audience may vary, strong memos have similar qualities: Style and Tone  Brevity: The busy reader seeks a concise memo.  Clarity: Memos are written for “uninformed but intelligent” readers, not policy wonks. Be direct, specific, consistent, and avoid jargon or highly academic language.  Objectivity: Although most memos are written to convince a decision-maker to select a certain policy, the author should consider multiple perspectives that address the strengths and weaknesses of all policy options. Structure The specific sections of a memo may differ depending on the content, but many memos include: 1. Header (to, from, date, subject) 2. Summary of memo 3. Background and context 4. Recommendations 5. Alternatives 6. Limitations and barriers 7. Conclusion Key Questions Depending on the purpose of the memo, the answers to the following questions may inform your final product:  Who is your audience? What do they know about the issue? What decision-making power do they possess?  What purpose does the memo serve?  What problem is the policy addressing? Why is it important?  What population(s) is impacted by the policy?  What lever(s) do you (or other stakeholders) propose to address the problem? That is, how will the policy make its target(s) change their behavior?  What are the benefits and trade-offs of the policy? What alternative policies exist?  What limitations or barriers exist? Consider implementation costs, resources, timing, and political implications. 2 This document is intended to provide objective, nonpartisan analysis that is both fair and evidence-based. Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) does not endorse or support specific policies or policy positions. Selected Writing Resources Guides and Fact Sheets  John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, “Policy Memos”  Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “Writing Effective Policy Memos”  Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, “Tips on Writing a Policy Memo”  Thompson Writing Program, Duke University, “Policy Memo” Presentations  The Harris School of Public Policy, The University of Chicago, “Introduction to Policy Writing for Public Policy Professionals”  The East-West Center, “How to Write an Effective Policy Memorandum” Selected examples Answer t ...

1. 1
This document is intended to provide objective, nonpartisan
analysis that is both fair and evidence-based.
Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) does not endorse or
support specific policies or policy positions.
Guide to Writing an Effective Policy Memo
Fundamentals
Policy memos are straightforward documents that analyze an
issue and offer recommendations to
inform and guide a decision-maker. They might be written by
policy advisors, advocates, or everyday
citizens seeking to effect change in their community. Although
context, purpose, and audience may vary,
strong memos have similar qualities:
Style and Tone
med but intelligent”
readers, not policy wonks. Be direct,
specific, consistent, and avoid jargon or highly academic

2. language.
decision-maker to select a certain
policy, the author should consider multiple perspectives that
address the strengths and
weaknesses of all policy options.
Structure
The specific sections of a memo may differ depending on the
content, but many memos include:
1. Header (to, from, date, subject)
2. Summary of memo
3. Background and context
4. Recommendations
5. Alternatives
6. Limitations and barriers
7. Conclusion
Key Questions
Depending on the purpose of the memo, the answers to the
following questions may inform your final
product:
ho is your audience? What do they know about the issue?
What decision-making power do
they possess?

3. address the problem? That is, how will
the policy make its target(s) change their behavior?
-offs of the policy? What
alternative policies exist?
ations or barriers exist? Consider implementation
costs, resources, timing, and
political implications.
2
This document is intended to provide objective, nonpartisan
analysis that is both fair and evidence-based.
Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) does not endorse or
support specific policies or policy positions.
Selected Writing Resources
Guides and Fact Sheets

4. “Policy Memos”
, “Writing Effective
Policy Memos”
University, “Tips on Writing a Policy
Memo”
Memo”
Presentations
icy, The University of
Chicago, “Introduction to Policy Writing for
Public Policy Professionals”
-West Center, “How to Write an Effective Policy
Memorandum”
Selected examples
Answer the key questions for each sample memo. Consider their
similarities and differences. What
resonates with you? Did each author achieve his or her
purpose? How could each memo have been
improved?
Health Care”

5. nment, “Memorandum”
Memos”
Security, “Policy Memo”
http://shorensteincenter.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/07/HO_Herman_Policy-
Memos_9_24_12.pdf
http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/36824/11-
479Spring-2004/NR/rdonlyres/Urban-Studies-and-Planning/11-
479Spring-2004/9CE4ACA2-EC3D-4C1D-91CC-
27971E27DCF5/0/pmwriting.pdf
http://wilcoxen.maxwell.insightworks.com/pages/275.html
http://wilcoxen.maxwell.insightworks.com/pages/275.html
http://twp.duke.edu/uploads/media_items/policy-
memo.original.pdf
http://harris.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/files/writing.pdf
http://harris.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/files/writing.pdf
http://www.ewc-
popcomm.org/pdf/8_Writing_a_Decision_Memo_and_Giving_a_
Policy_Briefing/Policy_memorandum.pdf
http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2009/01/16-health-
care-memo
http://www.hks.harvard.edu/content/download/66717/1239678/v
ersion/1/file/sample-policy-memo.pdf
http://luskin.ucla.edu/content/sample-policy-memos
http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/policy_memo/C
NAS-TSFJointBudgetMemo.pdf
Module 4 - Case
Stress Management
Case Assignment
Reducing your stress can help you maintain a healthy mind and

6. body. Most stress-management experts say real stress reduction
requires significant skill and discipline beyond simply
becoming aware of different methods. Additionally, not
everyone responds to various stress-reduction techniques in the
same way. Through experimentation, it is possible to find
various ways to incorporate stress management into one’s life in
order to balance stress with more positive experiences.
For this assignment, you will research two examples of stress-
reduction techniques and develop a PowerPoint presentation
that includes the following:
Slide 1
Title Slide with Name, Course, and Date
Slide 2 - Introduction
Topics to be covered in outline form
Slide 3
Choose two different stress-management techniques (some
examples were discussed in the lecture material and readings or
you may research examples of your own). Briefly define each
stress- management technique and provide an image
representing each.
Slide 4
Discuss how each technique is performed, how often, etc.
(Consider adding a video link to demonstrate).
Slide 5
How does it work?: Exactly how does it relieve stress? What
effects does it have on the body (physiologically) or mind
(psychologically) or both?
Slides 6-8
Evaluate each technique: Does it work (provide support)? Who
says it works? Who says it doesn’t? What are the strengths and
weaknesses? Would you use it? Why or why not?
Slide 9 - Conclusion
Summarize your project findings.
Slide 10—References
APA Format

7. Assignment Expectations
For this Case assignment you will develop a PowerPoint
Presentation that is 1-10 slides in length and addresses the
requirements outlined above. Place the text containing the
answers to the questions above in the slide area, summarizing
each topic using bullet points (in your own words, expand in
more detail using the notes area).
Be sure to include citations referencing your sources on each
slide (use either the slide or notes area). Include a descriptive
title for each slide that describes the topic being discussed. Be
sure to include a title slide with your name, assignment type
(ex. Case Module 4), and course title; an introduction slide with
the subjects you will cover in outline form; and a slide
summarizing your project findings (Conclusion slide). Your
final slide should contain a list of references cited in APA
format.
Please upload your final presentation to the Module 4 Case
dropbox. Please also note your Turnitin originality score and
make revisions as needed (this may take some time to generate).
Contact your instructor with any questions.
Module 3 – SLP
· NOTE I WANT DEPRESSION*
Stress and Illness
There are numerous disorders that have been linked to stress,
including depression, anxiety, heart attacks, stroke,
hypertension, and immune system disturbances. In addition,
stress can have direct effects on the gastrointestinal system by
aggravating existing conditions like ulcers, irritable bowel
syndrome, and ulcerative colitis. Nervous system disorders can
be affected by stress, like insomnia and Parkinson’s disease. In
fact, it’s hard to think of any disease in which stress cannot
play an aggravating role. As you might recall from your Module
1 SLP Assignment, there are four major categories of stress

8. symptoms: cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical. In
this Module’s assignment, you will build on this knowledge by
exploring disorders that are associated with these categories.
SLP Assignment
For this SLP assignment, you will choose one disorder from the
four major categories of stress (cognitive, physical, behavioral,
or emotional) as shown in the table below. Please review the
SLP Assignment Expectations below. Remember this is a
presentation assignment. You do not need to write long
paragraphs of information on each slide; however, do provide
enough text to convey each of the topics below. Use images
throughout your presentation to support the research; however,
the images themselves should not stand alone on the slide
without explanation.
Your assignment will be to develop a PowerPoint presentation
that includes the following:
Slide 1
Title Slide with Name, Course, and Date
Slide 2 - Introduction
Topics to be covered in outline form
Slides 3-5
Choose one disorder from the table above. Briefly describe your
chosen disorder. What are the symptoms of your chosen
disorder? How does stress affect/cause/ manifest/enhance this
condition? How many people are affected by the disorder?
Describe how your chosen disorder is associated with its main
category of stress from the table (i.e., how is insomnia
sometimes a cognitive condition?).
Slide 6
Describe how your chosen disorder overlaps with the other
categories of stress listed from the table (i.e., obesity may be
influenced by behavioral styles such as overeating in reaction to
stress, but there may be emotional components as well).
Slides 7-8
Choose and describe one occupation at high risk for stress

9. (firefighter, policeman, trauma nurse, service member, air
traffic controller, etc). What are the main causes for your
chosen occupation’s stress? How does this stress affect their
ability to perform? (Be sure to incorporate aspects of physical,
emotional, cognitive, and/or behavioral functions). Include an
image representing your chosen occupation.
Slide 9 - Conclusion
Summarize your project findings.
Slide 10—References
APA Format
SLP Assignment Expectations
For this SLP assignment you will develop a PowerPoint
Presentation that is approximately 1-10 slides in length and
addresses the requirements outlined above. Place the text
containing the answers to the questions above in the slide area,
summarizing each topic using bullet points (in your own words,
expand in more detail using the notes area). Images to convey
text will not be accepted.
Be sure to include citations referencing your sources on each
slide (use either the slide or notes area). Include a descriptive
title for each slide that describes the topic being discussed. Be
sure to include a title slide with your name, assignment type
(ex. SLP Module 1 or 3), and course title. Include an
introduction slide with the subjects you will cover in outline
form. Include a slide summarizing your project findings
(Conclusion slide). Your final slide should contain a list of
references cited in APA format.
Please upload your final presentation to the correct Module SLP
dropbox. Please also note your Turnitin originality score and
make revisions as needed. Please contact your instructor with
any questions.
Module 3 - Case
Stress and Illness

10. Assignment Overview
Recall the video from your Module 1 Case Assignment on how
stress affects the brain. Stress not only affects the structure and
function of the brain, but its genetic makeup as well. In this
module you were introduced to the various effects stress has on
each body system, including the reproductive system. New
research suggests that experiencing intense psychologi cal
trauma may have a genetic impact on a person’s future children.
In the following video, Dr. Rachel Yehuda studied the genetic
effects in a population of Holocaust survivors and found
variations from the norm in both generations for the gene
associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The findings
imply that children of individuals who experience profound
stress in life may be more likely to develop stress or anxiety
disorders themselves.
Can Trauma Be Passed to the Next Generation Through DNA?
PBS Learning Media. Accessed at
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/e9a3377e-ef0d-
4815-8f25-166daa4d3114/can-trauma-be-passed-to-the-next-
generation-through-dna/#.WZeOTNGQyM8
Case Assignment
Answer the following questions in essay format. For additional
details, see the Case Assignment directions below.
1. How does experiencing trauma affect a person’s life?
2. Describe the term epigenetics. How does stress play a role in
epigenetics?
3. Describe an event in history that could have caused stress-
related changes to the next generation (some examples include
the Holocaust, 9-11 terrorist attack, the Dutch famine of 1944).
Include the disorders these children experienced (such as
anxiety, depression, mental disorders, etc).
4. Why might it be helpful to know how children will be
affected by trauma their parents experienced?
5. What kinds of events going on in the world right now could
be producing similar effects in future generations?

11. Assignment Expectations
Organize this essay assignment using subtitles that summarize
the topic from each question above. For example, to answer
Question 1, use a descriptive subtitle like the following: Effects
of Trauma.
Answer each question under the subtitle using complete
sentences that relate back to the question. Be sure to use APA
formatting throughout your essay with 1-inch margins, 12-pt
font, and double spacing throughout. Include a title page,
introduction, answers to the questions with subtitles, and
concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-text citations
within the body of the essay referencing your resources (i.e.,
Murray, 2014). Also, be sure to include a reference section at
the end of your assignment listing all required readings and any
additional resources you used to complete your essay. See the
Trident guide to APA Style, 7th edition.
Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the
original author, for example (Murray, 2014). Direct copying
from “homework help” websites will not receive credit. Once
you have completed your assignment within a word document,
please upload your final version to the Module 3 Case
Assignment dropbox. Please also note your Turnitin originality
score and make revisions as needed (this may take some time to
generate). Please contact your instructor with any questions.
Module 2 - Case
The Physiology of Stress
Assignment Overview
Scientists have known for some time that stress can aggravate
physical or mental illnesses. We also know that stress is also
associated with an increased risk for such mental and physical
illnesses such as:
· Depression

12. · Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
· Breast Cancer
· Headache
During the normal stress response, the nervous system and
endocrine systems respond. Chronic stress can result in
continued response of these systems, especially in regard to
hormone release, which can impact other body systems.
Case Assignment
Choose one of the disorders below to research.
· Depression
· Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
· Breast Cancer
· Headache
Describe the current research that supports how stress
contributes to the effects of the disorder (3 or 4 well -developed
paragraphs).
How does your chosen stress-related disorder affect short- and
long-term health? Consider impact on endocrine, nervous and
other body systems (3 or 4 well-developed paragraphs).
What can be done to prevent and/or treat your chosen stress-
related disorder? (2 or 3 well-developed paragraphs).
Draw conclusions about how to avoid these stress-related
disorders (1 well-developed paragraph).
Assignment Expectations
Be sure to use APA formatting throughout your essay with 1-
inch margins, 12-pt font, and double spacing throughout.
Include a title page, introduction, answers to the questions with
subtitles, and concluding paragraph. Remember to include in-
text citations within the body of the essay referencing your
resources (i.e., Murray, 2014). Also, be sure to include a
reference section at the end of your assignment listing all
required readings and any additional resources you used to
complete your essay. See the Trident guide to APA Style, 7th
edition.
Direct quotes should be limited and must be designated by
quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give credit to the

13. original author, for example (Murray, 2014). Direct copying
from “homework help” websites will not receive credit. Once
you have completed your assignment within a Word document,
please upload your final version to the Case 2 Dropbox. Please
also note your Turnitin originality score and make revisions as
needed. Please contact your instructor with any questions.
Multi-Source Persuasive Writing
Assignment Overview
Multi-Source Persuasive Essay
Length: no less than 1,300 words, double-spaced, Times New
Roman, 12-pt. font size, one-inch margins
This essay is to consist of your own thoughts, words, and ideas
with properly cited and documented secondary sources as
support.
Case Assignment
For this assignment, you will write an organized and well
supported Persuasive Essay using three or more points of
analysis. You will be most successful writing on a topic that is
of interest to you. The best ideas are topical; they are what
people are talking about today. Your goal is to convince the
reader to accept your point of view on a given topic, so you
must be convincing.
A well-organized essay has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
The beginning, or introduction, should include an opening
sentence to grab your reader’s attention. Follow the opening
sentence with a brief background on the topic or situation. The
last sentence of the introduction is the thesis statement. The
thesis states the main point of the essay, which in this case,
would be a statement affirming the main point of view on the
selected topic.
A well-supported essay includes supporting points, details, and
examples. Each body paragraph must support (explain) your
reasoning (rationale) using specific details. Each body
paragraph must have a topic sentence that states the main point

14. of the paragraph.
The conclusion typically summarizes the main points of the
essay and/or closes with a lasting impression that connects the
reader to their world.
This essay must include a combination of no less than EIGHT
in-text citations from three or more credible and reliable
sources. Citations are to be a combination of direct quotations
and paraphrased quotations with or without the author's name,
and a Reference List in APA Style must be included.
Be sure to proofread your essay and edit for proper grammar,
punctuation, diction (word choice), and spelling, as errors in
sentence skills will lower a final grade. A grade will be
determined based on the Module 4 Case expectations and the
Trident University General Education rubric for English.
Assignment Expectations
· Write a Persuasive essay (no fewer than 1,300 words in
length) that states and supports an original thesis statement.
· Make and support a Persuasive claim in a well-supported,
organized, and cohesive essay.
· Select credible and reliable sources for use in a well -supported
and cohesive essay.
· Use a direct quotes, paraphrased quotes, and summaries in
APA Style.
Module 3 - Case
Multi-Source Argumentative Writing
Assignment Overview
Multi-Source Argumentative Essay
Length: no less than 1,000 words, double-spaced, Times New
Roman, 12-pt. font size, one-inch margins
This essay is to consist of your own thoughts, words, and ideas
with properly cited and documented secondary sources as
support.
Case Assignment
For this assignment, you will write an organized and well

15. supported Argumentative Essay using three or more points of
analysis. You will be most successful writing on a topic that is
of interest to you. The best ideas are topical; they are what
people are talking about today. And remember that your thesis
should be debatable; in other words, there has to be at least two
sides to an issue for it to be considered argumentative.
A well-organized essay has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
The beginning, or introduction, should include an opening
sentence to grab your reader’s attention. Follow the opening
sentence with a brief background on the topic or situation. The
last sentence of the introduction is the thesis statement. The
thesis states the main point of the essay, which in this case,
would be a statement affirming the main point of view on the
selected topic.
A well-supported essay includes supporting points, details, and
examples. Each body paragraph must support (explain) your
reasoning (rationale) using specific details. Each body
paragraph must have a topic sentence that states the main point
of the paragraph.
The conclusion typically summarizes the main points of the
essay and/or closes with a lasting impression that connects the
reader to their world.
This essay must include a combination of no less than SIX in-
text citations from two or more credible and reliable sources.
Citations are to be a combination of direct quotations and
paraphrased quotations with or without the author's name, and a
Reference List in APA Style must be included.
Be sure to proofread your essay and edit for proper grammar,
punctuation, diction (word choice), and spelling, as errors in
sentence skills will lower a final grade. A grade will be
determined based on the Module 3 Case expectations and the
Trident University General Education rubric for English.
Assignment Expectations
· Write an Argumentative essay (no fewer than 1,000 words in
length) that states and supports an original thesis statement.
· Make and support an Argumentative claim in a well-supported,

16. organized, and cohesive essay.
· Select credible and reliable sources for use in a w ell-supported
and cohesive essay.
· Use a direct quotes, paraphrased quotes, and summaries in
APA Style.
Module 2 - Case
Argumentative Writing
Assignment Overview
Argumentative Essay
Length: no less than 1,000 words, double-spaced, Times New
Roman, 12-pt. font size, one-inch margins
This essay is to consist of your own thoughts, words, and ideas.
No secondary sources are to be used in this essay.
Case Assignment
For this assignment, you will write an organized and well
supported Argumentative Essay using three or more points of
analysis. You will be most successful writing on a topic that is
of interest to you. The best ideas are topical; they are what
people are talking about today. And remember that your thesis
should be debatable; in other words, there has to be at least two
sides to an issue for it to be considered argumentative.
A well-organized essay has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
The beginning, or introduction, should include an opening
sentence to grab your reader’s attention. Follow the opening
sentence with a brief background on the topic or situation. The
last sentence of the introduction is the thesis statement. The
thesis states the main point of the essay, which in this case,
would be a statement affirming the main point of view on the
selected topic.
A well-supported essay includes supporting points, details, and
examples. Each body paragraph must support (explain) your
reasoning (rationale) using specific details. Each body
paragraph must have a topic sentence that states the main poi nt
of the paragraph.

17. The conclusion typically summarizes the main points of the
essay and/or closes with a lasting impression that connects the
reader to their world.
Be sure to proofread your essay and edit for proper grammar,
punctuation, diction (word choice), and spelling, as errors in
sentence skills will lower a final grade. A grade will be
determined based on the Module 2 Case expectations and the
Trident University General Education rubric for English.
Assignment Expectations
· Write an argumentative essay (no fewer than 1,000 words in
length) that states and supports an original thesis statement.
· Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and cohesively when
expressing one’s ideas and/or intended purpose.
· Demonstrate the ability to clearly state and support a thesis in
an organized and cohesive essay.