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Wilkes  University  
School  of  Nursing  
NSG  505  
 
 Policy  Brief  and  Advocacy  Letter  Assignment  
 
Building  on  the  topic  the  student  used  for  the  first  assignment,  this  assignment  will  
require  the  student  to  write  a  one-­‐page  policy  brief  and  advocacy  letter  to  be  sent  to  
their  legislator.    This  assignment  will  be  worth  40%  of  the  cumulative  grade.  
 
A  policy  brief  is  used  to  convince  the  target  audience  of  the  urgency  of  the  current  
problem  or  policy  concern  and  present  the  need  to  adopt  the  preferred  alternative  
or  course  of  action  outlined.    It  is  commonly  produced  in  response  to  a  request  
directly  from  a  decision-­‐maker  (legislator)  or  within  an  organization  that  intends  to  
advocate  for  the  position  detailed  in  the  brief.      
 
Efficient  policy  briefs  include  several  common  features.    Those  features  include:  
 
• The  brief  is  focused.    All  aspects  discussed  are  focused  on  achieving  
the  intended  audience  to  take  the  requested  action.  
• The  brief  is  professional  and  not  academic.    The  usual  audience  is  not  
interested  in  research  or  analysis  conducted  to  produce  the  evidence.    
Rather  they  are  interested  in  knowing  the  writer’s  perspective  on  the  
problem  and  potential  solutions,  based  on  NEW  and  convincing  
evidence.    
• The  brief  should  be  evidence-­‐based.    The  policy  brief  serves  as  a  
communication  tool  produced  by  someone  with  a  vested  interest  in  
the  policy  (stakeholder),  therefore  the  target  audience  will  only  be  
convinced  by  arguments  that  are  supported  by  evidence.  
• The  brief  should  also  be  concise.      One  page  documents  are  the  ones  
most  likely  to  be  read  by  busy  lawmakers  and  their  legislative  teams.  
 
The  format  of  the  brief  should  be  written  as  a  one-­‐page  single  spaced  document.    
It  does  not  need  to  include  a  title  page,  running  header,  or  abstract.    However,  all  
references  in-­‐text  and  the  reference  list  MUST  be  in  APA  format.      
 
The  policy  brief  should  include  the  following  components:  
 
• An  interesting  title  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  reader.  
• A  clear  and  concise  statement  of  the  problem  or  issue.  
• A  short  overview  of  the  root  causes  of  the  problem  or  issue.  
• One  to  two  recommendations  with  a  least  two  rationales  with  
supporting  evidence  to  validate  the  recommendations  made.    
Evidence  should  come  from  scholarly  journals,  not  textbooks  or  

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organization  web  sites.    Three  scholarly  journal  articles  are  required  
to  be  used.  
• Finally,  the  conclusion  with  a  summary  of  the  action  the  brief  is  
requesting.  
     
An  advocacy  letter  is  a  way  to  influence  the  ideas  and  views  of  legislators  or  
decision  makers  within  an  organization.      It  allows  the  writer  to  maintain  contact  
with  the  legislator  or  decision  maker,  to  keep  the  issue  high  on  the  priority  list  when  
the  writer  cannot  meet  with  them  personally.      
 
The  format  of  the  advocacy  letter  should  be  written  in  a  standard  letter  format.    
Proper  title  and  language  should  be  used.    It  should  not  be  more  than  two  pages  
long,  as  to  increase  the  chances  that  the  letter  will  be  read  by  the  legislator,  his  or  
her  staff  or  decision  maker.    Letters  maybe  mailed  or  sent  electronically.      
 
The  advocacy  letter  should  contain  the  following  components:  
 
• Addressing  the  Letter  –  If  the  letter  is  concerning  a  Federal  or  State  Bill  
or  issue,  it  should  be  addressed  to  the  Member  of  Congress  or  State  
Legislator  who  represents  the  student  or  if  the  issue  is  more  local,  it  
should  be  addressed  to  the  decision  makers  who  would  be  most  
concerned  with  the  issue.  Use  the  correct  salutation.  
• Introduction  –  Introduce  yourself  and  offer  a  concise  statement  about  
the  reason  for  the  advocacy  letter.    If  discussing  a  specific  legislative  
bill,  include  the  bill  number.  
• Health  Policy  Issue  -­‐  In  one  to  two  paragraphs,  accurately  describe  the  
issues  raised,  provide  a  clear  position  in  favor  of  or  opposed  to,  and  
offer  specific  examples  of  your  concerns.    Personal  stories  work  well  
here.  
• Legislative  or  Advocacy  Recommendations    -­‐  Directly  ask  for  the  action  
you  are  requesting.    State  why  your  position  is  important  to  that  
person  and  the  constituents  he  or  she  is  associated  with.  
• Closing  –  Develop  a  closing  statement  and  provide  your  contact  
information  for  any  follow-­‐up  questions  or  to  act  as  a  resource  for  
further  information.  
 
You  can  find  examples  of  each  of  these  in  your  book.    Once  your  advocacy  letter  and  
policy  brief  has  been  reviewed  by  the  faculty  member,  we  encourage  you  to  send  it  
to  the  person  whom  your  letter  is  addressed.  
 
   
 
 
 
 

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Components  of  the  Policy  Brief  

Title  and  Statement  of  the  Problem  –  The  policy  brief  has  an  interesting  title  and  
the  statement  of  the  problem  is  clear  and  concise.  
Root  Causes  –  The  root  causes  of  the  issue  are  addressed.  
Recommendations  –  1-­‐2  recommendations  for  action  are  provided  with  solid  
supporting  evidence.  
Conclusion  –  Brief  summary  of  the  action  the  policy  brief  is  asking  for.  
Components  of  the  Advocacy  Letter  
Addressing  the  letter  –  The  letter  should  be  addressed  to  the  appropriate  person,  
who  can  best  address  the  advocacy  issue.    Use  the  correct  salutation.  
Introduction  –  Introduce  yourself;  offer  a  concise  statement  about  the  reason  for  
the  letter.    Include  bill  number  if  addressing  a  specific  legislative  issue.  
Health  Policy  Issue  –  Accurately  and  concisely  describes  the  issue  raised  and  
provides  a  clear  position  (in  favor  or  opposed)  and  offers  a  personal  story  or  
example  concerning  the  issue.  
Legislative  or  Advocacy  Recommendations  -­‐  Directly  ask  for  the  action  you  are  
requesting.    Give  examples  of  why  is  should  be  important  to  this  person.  
Closing  –  Develop  a  closing  statement  and  provide  your  contact  information  for  
follow-­‐up  contact  or  request  for  further  information.  
References  –  One  a  separate  page,  in  APA  format,  list  the  scholarly  references  used.    
 

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