POSC 315: Policy Writing Project

Paper Overview

This writing project guides you through the applied analysis of a real-world policy problem. Over five weeks, you will complete structured assignments that build toward a final policy memo, a key professional writing product in the field of public policy.

Project Timeline and Deliverables

Week 1: Policy Problem Proposal

Due Friday, May 30 (10% of Final Grade)

• Write a 1–2 page memo identifying a policy problem.

• Include:

  • Clear description of the problem and why it matters.
  • Brief overview of key policy actors and institutions involved.

• Submit via 48Canvas by 11:59 PM.

Week 2–5: Cumulative Policy Memo Development

Important: For Weeks 2 through 5, you must turn on Track Changes (in Word) or Suggesting mode (in Google Docs) as you revise and expand your memo each week. This allows me to see the evolution of your thinking and writing across drafts—not just the final product

Make sure you are always working in the same document file throughout this process.

Each week you will build on your memo as follows:

• Week 2 (June 6): Add a Problem Definition section (2–3 pages)

  • Define your policy problem with background context, stakeholders, and data.
  • Explain why the issue requires public policy intervention.

• Week 3 (June 13): Add a Policy Alternatives section

  • Present at least three alternatives and include an evaluation matrix.
  • Explain criteria used to assess the options.

• Week 4 (June 20): Submit a full draft policy memo (4–5 pages)

  • Include Executive Summary, Problem Definition, Alternatives, and a preliminary Recommendation.
  • Submit with tracked changes showing edits made so far.

• Week 5 (June 26): Submit the final revised memo (5–7 pages) and a 1–2 page Reflection

  • Incorporate feedback using tracked changes.
  • Write a brief reflection on what you learned and how your thinking evolved.

This approach mirrors professional policy writing, which evolves iteratively.

Formatting Guidelines

• All written work should be double-spaced, 12-point font, and submitted as PDF or Word documents through Canvas.
• Policy memos should follow a professional structure with clear headings.

Revision and Feedback Process

You will receive feedback on your Draft Policy Memo during Week 4. When submitting your Final Policy Memo in Week 5, you are required to:

• Submit your memo with tracked changes turned on, showing how you revised the draft based on feedback.

• If you are using Microsoft Word:

  • Go to the Review tab and select Track Changes before making revisions.
  • Save your document as a .docx file with tracked changes visible.

• If you are using Google Docs:

  • Select Editing > Suggesting mode from the top-right dropdown.
  • Share your document or download as .docx with suggestions visible.

This allows me to see how your thinking and writing evolved, and ensures credit is given for incorporating feedback.

Submission Instructions

For the Final Policy Memo and Reflection (Due June 26):

• Submit two files to Canvas:

  1. A clean, final version of your policy memo (PDF or Word).
  2. A version of your memo with tracked changes or suggestions visible (Word or Google Docs format).

• Submit your 1–2 page reflection as a separate document.

Late Work Policy

Due to the accelerated format of the course, late assignments are generally not accepted unless prior arrangements are made.

If you anticipate needing an extension, please communicate with me as soon as possible. Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and must be requested at least 24 hours before the due date.

Academic Integrity

All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade for the assignment and potentially the course. This includes the use of AI tools to generate content without proper attribution. Follow the university’s academic integrity guidelines and ensure that all sources are properly cited. See course syllabus for more details, especially regarding the use of AI tools.

Sample Policy Memo Structure

A policy memo is a professional document used to analyze a policy problem and recommend solutions. Use clear headings and concise language. Avoid academic jargon.

Header

• To: [Intended Audience – e.g., City Manager, Policy Director]
• From: [Your Name]
• Date: [Submission Date]
• Subject: [Clear and Concise Title of the Memo]

Executive Summary (1/2 – 1 page)

• Briefly summarize the policy problem, key findings, and your recommendation.
• This should be clear enough for a reader to understand the issue and your proposed solution without reading the full memo.

Problem Definition (1 – 2 pages)

• Clearly describe the policy problem. Situate it in its broader policy context and history. Use relevant academic literature, legal frameworks, and empirical data to clarify how the problem has emerged and evolved over time.
• Explain why the issue is urgent or significant. Is it affecting marginalized communities, imposing economic costs, generating political controversy, or worsening over time?
• Identify who is directly affected by the problem and how. Include stakeholders such as government agencies, nonprofits, advocacy groups, businesses, or the public.
• Consider relevant policy dimensions—legal, administrative, ethical, political, and economic—and how they influence the framing and urgency of the issue.
• Support your analysis with at least two academic sources. You might draw from policy studies, public administration literature, or empirical social science research.
• Incorporate relevant data and contextual background. Where appropriate, you may use charts, statistics, or historical references to support your case.

This section should lay the analytical foundation for evaluating policy alternatives.

Policy Alternatives (1 – 2 pages)

• Present at least three policy alternatives.

• Use a table or matrix to summarize options and evaluation criteria. For example:

  Alternative	Cost	Effectiveness	Public Acceptance	Feasibility
  Increased Roundups	High	Moderate	Low	Moderate
  Fertility Control	Low	High (Long-Term)	High	High
  Adoption Incentives	Moderate	Low	Moderate	Moderate

• Discuss pros and cons of each alternative based on feasibility, cost, equity, effectiveness, and political viability.

Recommendation (1 page)

• Recommend the best policy alternative.
• Justify your recommendation using evidence from your evaluation criteria.
• Address potential challenges to implementation.

Conclusion (Short)

• Restate the importance of addressing the problem.
• Highlight the benefits of your recommended policy.

References (As Needed)

• List any sources used, using a consistent citation format (APA or Chicago preferred).

Optional Appendices: Include additional data tables, figures, or supplemental material if necessary.

Sample Policy Memo

To: Director, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

From: Jordan Taylor

Date: June 21, 2025

Subject: Managing Overpopulation Under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act

Executive Summary

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) faces a growing challenge under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. The current population of wild horses and burros on public rangelands has exceeded sustainable levels, leading to ecological degradation and rising management costs. This memo evaluates three policy alternatives to address overpopulation and recommends expanding fertility control programs as the most cost-effective and publicly acceptable solution.

Problem Definition

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (1971) mandates the protection of wild horses and burros as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.” However, current herd sizes far exceed the Appropriate Management Levels (AML) established by BLM scientists, leading to significant environmental, fiscal, and policy challenges.

Research has shown that unmanaged horse populations can cause long-term damage to arid ecosystems, particularly by overgrazing native plant species and compacting soil near riparian zones (Beever and Brussard 2000). This contributes to biodiversity loss and alters natural fire regimes. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (2021) also reported that the cost of maintaining off-range holding facilities has escalated to unsustainable levels, now comprising the majority of the Wild Horse and Burro Program budget.

Stakeholders affected include environmental groups concerned with ecosystem health, ranchers who lease public lands for grazing, animal welfare advocates demanding humane treatment, and federal agencies balancing ecological stewardship with legal mandates. The issue is politically contentious, shaped by diverging values and regional economic interests (Nie 2003).

Given the increasing financial burden and ecological risks, the status quo is widely viewed as untenable. Addressing this challenge requires a nuanced understanding of both ecological science and public policy—grounded in evidence and sensitive to public opinion and political feasibility.

Policy Alternatives

Building on ecological and fiscal concerns, this section evaluates three primary strategies that have been considered in the policy literature (Garrott and Oli 2013; Rutberg et al. 2017).

1. Increased Roundups

   • Pros: Provides immediate relief to overgrazed rangelands. Historically used and logistically feasible with existing infrastructure.
   • Cons: Extremely costly over time due to long-term holding; public outcry over animal welfare; does not address root cause of overpopulation.

2. Fertility Control Programs (e.g., PZP Vaccine)

   • Pros: Evidence-based and endorsed by wildlife biologists; cost-effective long-term strategy; high public approval; aligns with humane treatment goals (Turner et al. 2002).
   • Cons: Requires sustained funding and logistical coordination; biological efficacy depends on repeated application.

3. Adoption Incentives

   • Pros: Promotes public engagement and reduces herd size through private ownership; supported by animal welfare organizations.
   • Cons: Historically limited impact; low demand for adoption; potential welfare issues if adopted animals are not properly cared for.

These alternatives are evaluated in the matrix above, drawing on feasibility, cost, equity, public support, and implementation complexity.

Recommendation

I recommend expanding fertility control programs using the PZP vaccine. This approach addresses the root cause of overpopulation humanely and cost-effectively. Although results are gradual, this policy aligns with public sentiment, reduces long-term management costs, and mitigates environmental degradation.

Implementation should include:

• Increased funding for field application teams.
• Public education campaigns to build support.
• Annual monitoring to track program effectiveness.

Conclusion

Without immediate policy adjustments, overpopulation will continue to strain federal budgets and damage public rangelands. Fertility control programs provide a sustainable and publicly acceptable solution that fulfills the BLM’s obligations under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

References

Beever, Erik A., and Peter F. Brussard. 2000. “Examining Ecological Consequences of Feral Horse Grazing Using Exclosures.” Western North American Naturalist 60(3): 236–254.

Garrott, Robert A., and Madan K. Oli. 2013. “A Critical Crossroad for the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse Program.” BioScience 63(7): 563–568.

Nie, Martin. 2003. Governance and the Politics of Wild Horses. Washington, DC: Island Press.

Rutberg, Allen T., et al. 2017. “Fertility Control in Wild Horse Populations: A Review of the Biological and Economic Arguments.” Wildlife Society Bulletin 41(1): 1–10.

Turner, John W., Jr., I. Kirk Liu, and A. T. Rutberg. 2002. “Immunocontraception Limits Foal Production in Free-Roaming Feral Horses in Nevada.” Journal of Wildlife Management 66(2): 478–486.

Bureau of Land Management. 2024. Wild Horse and Burro Program Statistics. U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/about-the-program/program-data.

The Humane Society of the United States. 2023. Fertility Control and Wild Horse Management. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/fertility-control-wild-horses.

Congressional Research Service. 2022. Wild Horse and Burro Management: Policy Challenges. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47281.