What are the features of a policy paper?

SOURCE: Bard and ChatGPT

A policy paper typically includes an executive summary, introduction, problem statement, policy options, analysis, recommendations, and conclusion. It should be well-researched, objective, and provide evidence-based solutions to address a specific issue or challenge.

A policy paper is a document that proposes a solution to a specific public policy issue. It is typically written by researchers, academics, or advocates, and is aimed at policymakers, government officials, or the general public.

Here are some of the key features of a policy paper:

Clearly defined problem: The paper should begin by clearly defining the problem that it is addressing. This includes providing background information, statistics, and evidence to demonstrate the scope and significance of the problem.

Analysis of existing policies: The paper should then discuss the existing policies that are in place to address the problem. This includes an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of these policies, as well as any gaps that they may leave.

Proposed policy options: The paper should then propose one or more new policy options to address the problem. These options should be clearly described and explained, and they should be based on sound evidence and reasoning.

Evaluation of policy options: The paper should then evaluate the potential costs and benefits of each of the proposed policy options. This includes considering the economic, social, and environmental impacts of each option.

Recommendation: The paper should conclude by making a clear recommendation for which policy option should be adopted. This recommendation should be based on the evidence presented in the paper, and it should be persuasive and well-argued.

Additional features of a good policy paper:

Concise and well-organized: The paper should be concise and well-organized, so that it is easy for readers to understand. It should be no more than 10-15 pages long.

Objective and unbiased: The paper should be objective and unbiased, and it should avoid using emotional language or rhetoric.

Well-researched: The paper should be well-researched, and it should cite credible sources to support its claims.

Clearly written: The paper should be clearly written in plain language, so that it can be understood by a wide audience.