PowerPoint

1. Jacob Birtwhistle
MPA 620
Professor Kittredge

2.  Public policy
 Defining a problem
 Deciding what action to take
 Formulating a plan of action (Smith, 2016)
 Policy issues
 Foreign, defense, internal affairs (Reyes, 2001)
 Action on policy
 Practical and adaptive (Smith, 2016)
 Communication is essential (Smith, 2016)
 Pluralism
 Citizens, lobbyists, politicians, public administrators, nonprofits , etc.,

3.  Requires both knowledge and skill
 Persuasive
 Powerful
 Informative (USC Price, 2017)
 Effective communication
 Address a specific audience
 Specific problem
 Represent authority accurately
 Designed for use (USC Price, 2017)
 Credible, clear, and concise
 Strong communication gives power
 Anyone can make a difference

4.  Policymaking process begins with the problem (Public
Policy Writing, 2016)
 Policy problem definition
 Descriptions of influential conditions and interests (Walker, 2000)
 History of prior government action or inaction
 Persuasive argument (Public Policy Writing, 2016)
 Becoming a part of public policy agenda
 Personal experience
 Major event (Smith, 2016)
 Policy Analysis
 Critical thinking
 Analyze different proposals
 Analyze impacts and draw conclusions (Smith, 2016)
 Draft a document
 Interests
 Issues
 Concerned parties
 Agreements and disagreements (Smith, 2016)

5.  Action builds on prior action
 Comprehensive history
 Where the law started
 Where it is going (Smith, 2016)
 Review the legislative process
 Conduct thorough research (Smith, 2016)
 Overview that summarizes key information
(Smith, 2016)
 Keeps readers interested (Swain & Swain, 2015)
 Subsections, subheadings, citations

6.  Arguments
 Critical awareness (Smith, 2016)
 Compared and contrasted with other positions
 Highlight differences
 Commonalities and conflicts (Smith, 2016)
 Keep institutional constraints in mind (Mead,
2010)
 Writing an argument
 Problem, issue, questions, support, justification, elaboration
 Petition
 Requests action on behalf of an individual (Smith, 2016)
 Document
 Should be brief, list the need, action agency, desired outcome, current problem, etc. (Smith,
2016)

7.  Opinion Statement
 Brief and to the point
 Offer only relevant information
 No longer than two pages (Smith, 2016)
 Public Hearing
 Elected officials question witnesses
 Witnesses can influence policy
 All legislative functions require hearings
 Speak authoritatively, be pointed, clear ,and concise
 Public comments
 Substantial effect on policymaking
 Agencies often review public comments
 Objective is to influence implementation of law
 http://federalregister.gov

8.  Email: Jacob.birtwhistle@yahoo.com
 Phone: 916-555-5555
 Please see the script for this presentation
below:

9.  References
 Mead, L. (2010). Teaching Public Policy: Linking Policy and Politics. Journal of Public Affairs
Education, 389-403.
 Pluralism. (2012). Retrieved from Udel: https://www1.udel.edu/htr/American/Texts/pluralism.html
 Public Policy Writing. (2016). Retrieved from
http://core.ecu.edu/engl/smithcath/ppolicy_book/ppolicys06/assignments/probdef.htm:
http://core.ecu.edu/engl/smithcath/ppolicy_book/ppolicys06/assignments/probdef.htm
 Reyes, G. (2001). The Policy Making Process and Models for Public Policy Analysis. Retrieved
from Sincronia: http://sincronia.cucsh.udg.mx/poan.htm
 Smith, C. (2016). Writing Public Policy. New York: Oxford University Press.
 USC Price. (2017). The Importance of Communication Skills in Public Administration. Retrieved
from USC Price: https://publicadmin.usc.edu/blog/the-importance-of-communication-skills-in-
public-administration/
 Walker, W. (2000). Policy Analysis: A Systematic Approach to Supporting Policymaking in the
Public Sector. Delft University of Technology, 11-27.