Public Policy Writing That Matters

by David Chrisinger, Katherine Baicker (Foreword)

A thoroughly updated and expanded guide to honing your public policy writing skills―and making a significant impact on the world. Winner of the George Orwell Award by the National Council of Teachers of English Professionals across a variety of disciplines need to write about public policy in a manner that inspires action and genuine change. You may have amazing ideas about how to improve the world, but if you aren't able to communicate these ideas well, they simply won't become a reality. In Public Policy Writing That Matters , communications expert David Chrisinger, who directs the Harris Writing Program at the University of Chicago and worked in the US Government Accountability Office for a decade, argues that public policy writing is most persuasive when it tells clear, concrete stories about people doing things. Combining helpful hints and cautionary tales with writing exercises and excerpts from sample policy analysis, Chrisinger teaches readers to craft concise, story-driven pieces that exceed the stylistic requirements and limitations of traditional policy writing. Aimed at helping students and professionals overcome their default impulses to merely "explain," this book reveals proven tips―tested in the real world and in the classroom―for writing sophisticated policy analysis that is also easy to understand. For anyone interested in planning, organizing, developing, writing, and revising accessible public policy, Chrisinger offers a step-by-step guide that covers everything from the most effective use of data visualization to the best ways to write a sentence, from the ideal moment for adding a compelling anecdote to advice on using facts to strengthen an argument. This second edition addresses the current political climate and touches on policy changes that have occurred since the book was originally published. A vital tool for any policy writer or analyst, Public Policy Writing That Matters is a book for everyone passionate about using writing to effect real and lasting change.

Genres: Writing, Public Policy

232 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

David Chrisinger is the executive director of the Public Policy Writing Workshop at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy and the director of writing seminars for The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit newsroom dedicated to reporting on the human impact of military service.

He is the author of several books, including "The Soldier's Truth: Ernie Pyle and the Story of World War II, "Stories Are What Save Us: A Survivor’s Guide to Writing about Trauma," and "Public Policy Writing That Matters," which in 2022 received the National Council of Teachers of English George Orwell Award.

Reviews

[Masha Bunina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first and second addition barely have anything in common! The second one is better, and I'm excited about the upcoming third one. Obviously, the book is for a very narrow field, but it does greatly what it was supposed to do: clear, coherent, well-structured, well-balanced, easy to apply. And I love David Chrisinger haha

[Zainab · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting David in Riyadh, I promptly delved into the book. It serves as an excellent guide for those intrigued by policy memo writing, eloquently outlining the process. It reinforces the idea that our focus should be on effecting change rather than merely aiming to impress. Good read!

[Ernesto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lo leí para una clase en Harris sobre escribir. Es un libro útil con algunos buenos consejos para mejorar la escritura, especialmente en temas de análisis de políticas públicas.

[Joshua Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful book for policy writing. Great for students as an introduction to writing good policy.

[Denise Sudbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Style guide in the last chapter is really helpful.

[Krista Schumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book for the policy section of an MPH class I teach, and I'm glad I did. Not only does it help when thinking about how to pitch a policy idea, but it's a great writing handbook in general. Excellent tips for clear and succinct writing that's useful for policy briefs (which my students had to write) as well as papers, reports, grant proposals, and any other non-creative work.