Writing a technical paper may not be easy but it is relatively straightforward because of a clear focus. Writing a report may be demanding but there is (usually) enough research data and information lying about to support a decent submission.
But writing a qualitative policy paper? Well, even for the best of staff writers (in government or major corporations), it is a tough task because there is neither a clarity of objective as afforded by a technical paper nor an abundance of evidence as supplied for a standard report. How worse, then, would it be for a young officer plying the trade of policy writing for the first time?
A policy draft, which can take the form of a strategy, doctrine or the popular concept paper, is an arduous writing challenge because its objective may be unclear or multi-faceted; its direction may be ambivalent; and its content is devoid of quantitative support. The overworked policy writer has to summon her imagination, forward her qualitative arguments and sting with her persuasive summation just to get the attention of her approving authority. Skip a beat, and the whole argument is flawed. Burden it with details and the paper is deemed overloaded. Surely there is a (short cut?) way to write smart without writing hard?
Let OUR TRAINER, who has thrilled and skilled thousands of staff writers with his AOS Thesis Summary© and Post-Mortem© writing tools, show you a kinder and faster way to painless policy writing. Whether you have been on the job for a year or a decade, you need to attend this course because you may not have been doing it the right way or worse, been schooled the wrong way. So even if you are keen to improve your general writing skills, you will find this course beneficial.
Objectives
At the end of the one-day workshop, participants will be able to:
- differentiate policy writing from other forms of report writing
- plan a paper efficiently by using an AOS Thesis Summary © writing tool
- draft a policy effectively by using a Post-Mortem © writing tool
Outline
PRINCIPLES OF GOOD WRITING
- The characteristics of all good reporting writing
- The place of policy in report writing
- The balance between qualitative and quantitative arguments
AOS THESIS SUMMARY © DRAFTING
- Establish the Action (Approving Authority)
- State the Objective (Primary aim and Secondary objectives)
- Outline the Structure (what-why-how process)
POST-MORTEM © DRAFTING
- Principle Considerations
- Concept of Operation
- Terms of Reference
- Scope of Project
- SRA versus Options paper
- Conclusion: Follow-up, Looking Forward and Moving Ahead
Testimonials
Highly recommended for all public service officers who are involved in policy work.”
- IPOS (Jan 2018)
“This course is not just a normal writing course on drafting a policy paper, as it provides useful insights and policy considerations as well.”
- NParks (Feb 2018)
“The course by Dr Sunny gives us very good overview, guidelines and examples of how to draft good public policies.”
- MINDEF (Aug 2018)
“The policy aspects were very well explained!”
- MOE (Mar 2018)
Who should attend
Policy Officers and Staff Writers who need to conceptualise and draft qualitative papers for approval or discussion. Those who need to write non-approval Reports should also attend to enhance their writing skills.
Trainer’s Profile
Sunny is a Trainer of Trainers (TOT) and has taught many writing coaches to teach writing programmes. He was head of the International directorate in Mindef’s Defence Policy Office, where he has written Cab Memos, budget papers and presented Singapore’s position at international fora. He was a member of the SAF Scholars Selection Board and chairman of a university’s Resource Panel.
He was also a Desk Editor at The Straits Times, where he taught reporting and interviewing skills at its School of Journalism. In all, his participants had included CEOs, professors, staff writers, technical specialists, undergraduates and students. It doesn’t matter how high a participant’s work status may be – all that mattered is a penchant for learning.
As a volunteer, he was a Mediator with the Ministry of Law, a Council Member of the Singapore Red Cross Society and writes regularly for the local and regional media. He is currently a board director of five international firms where effective communication is essential to winning contracts, customers and confidence.