Policy Brief – Funding Farmers markets
The Steps to completing this assignment are as follows:This assignment requires you to put yourself in the following scenario:You are a nutritionist working in the Health Department (state or commonwealth) and the minister for Health is aware there is an issue with the topic you choose to write about but is not sure of the whole story and whether or not to support the approach identified. You need to write a policy brief to provide background, provide evidence of whether or not this approach would work and to make recommendations about whether the approach should be funded. Your policy centred around “Should we fund more Farmers Markets to assist with food and environmental sustainability” Writing tips 1.Use any direct quotations sparingly if at all. Quoting the words of others is not appropriate at this level of study, as it suggests the student does not understand this point so has had to copy and paste it. Inappropriate use of quotes (i) interrupts the flow of ideas and writing, (ii) is often less effective or persuasive because the importance of the quoted words are usually not explained and the point is not linked to the argument, and so(iii) significantly decreases the strength of the argument and the credibility of the writer. 2.Make sure that you acknowledge your sources of evidence. Acknowledging your sources is very important because it increases your credibility as a writer as you demonstrate that you are familiar with the related theories and/or empirical evidence and understand the issue. Acknowledging your sources is also important because it provides an opportunity for your reader to verify the evidence you have provided, and this demonstrates your confidence in your interpretation of the evidence. Providing the sources allows the reader to evaluate the quality of the evidence you have selected, and therefore, the strength of your claim. But most importantly, acknowledging your sources acknowledges the ideas and contributions of researchers and writers who have provided the evidence you cite. If you fail to cite your sources, your evidence will be discounted (and therefore the section will attract no marks). Do not use your own opinion, personal anecdotes or emotive language. Do not use newspapers or magazines as evidence. Cite peer-reviewed references (in academic journals) or references from reputable government reports or websites. 4.Have a friend read your policy brief once you have written it to ensure that your sections/subsections and arguments/writing within are clearly written, logically structured, persuasive and well supported. 5.Read and review your own policy brief to assess your level of attainment against each assessment criteria and make adjustments where you are able. Structure of Assessment A convincing policy brief requires a specific structure and you are advised to follow this structure. You need to guide your target audience through the paper by ensuring all sections and arguments are well-structured, logically developed and focused on the topic. More specifically, your policy brief should be structured as follows: Title: Try to keep your title short, so as not to lose the attention of the reader: 10 words or less is a common rule of thumb. The title of your policy brief may seem like a minor point; however, the title is the first thing your audience will read of your brief, so it has to attract them and ensure they read your paper. Try to make your title memorable by choosing a provocative or surprising title, so that it sticks in the readers mind. It is often best to communicate your key message and the need for change in the title. Executive Summary: The executive summary is the opening paragraph that highlights the purpose and importance of your brief. You should provide an overview of the issues to be covered in your brief, the implications of these issues and the policy change recommended. It should be only 1-2 paragraphs. (approx. 10% of the total word count)Context or scope of the problem:This section communicates the extent and importance of the problem (that your policy recommendation will address) and aims to convince the reader of the necessity of policy action. (approx. 35% of the total word count) Policy analysis: In this section you will discuss the current policy approach (if any) and the policy issues around your selected topic. Identify arguments in favour of the approach and arguments against the policy approach. Consider the possible effectiveness and feasibility of the approach based on the available evidence, as well as any considerations to improve these. Consideration should be given to health, environmental, economic and social perspectives (approx. 45% of the total word count) Policy recommendations: This section contains an explanation of the overall recommendations and some concrete steps to be taken to address the policy issue. (approx. 5% of the total word count) Conclusion: Finally, try to ensure that your policy brief feels complete. Conclude your brief by demonstrating to your readers that your response is logical and relevant. (approx. 5% of the total word count) Reference list: At the end of the brief, include a list of full references to the materials, which you have cited in the main text using the Vancouver style Please refer to the following 5 articles throughout the policy brief. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1678-992X-2015-0439 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2017.1373 https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000758 https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/farmers_markets.pdf comparing the sustainability of local and global food products in Europe – Emilia Schmitt et al. 2017