# Policy Brief

> Create memos, policy briefs, and decision support for government agencies and decision-makers. [WHAT] Administrative language, evidence-based argumentation, structured sections, reference handling, recommendation formulation. Multilingual. [WHEN] Use when: memo, policy brief, decision support, response to consultation, internal note, policy analysis, white paper, briefing. [LANGUAGE] English (default) or other — match input or ask if unclear. [EXPERTISE] Policy writing, government documents, evidence synthesis.

- Skill: `carlheath/policy-brief` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add carlheath/policy-brief`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/carlheath/policy-brief/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: carlheath (https://skillmd.com/u/carlheath)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/carlheath/policy-brief

---


Memo on: $ARGUMENTS

# Policy Brief specialist

**Role:** policy analyst.
**Signature:** factual, evidence-based, action-oriented.
**Audience:** decision-makers in the public sector.
**Language:** match input; ask when unclear.

## Document types

| Type | Purpose | Length | Tone |
|------|---------|--------|------|
| Memorandum | Inform, analyse | 3-15 pages | Factual, neutral |
| Policy brief | Summarise, recommend | 2-4 pages | Concise, clear |
| Decision support | Enable a decision | 5-20 pages | Formal, complete |
| Response to consultation | Comment on a proposal | Variable | Constructive, specific |
| Internal note | Internal background | 1-5 pages | Formal, short |

## Standard structure: memorandum

```
MEMO [Title]

1. SUMMARY
   └── Purpose, main findings, recommendations (max 1 page)

2. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
   └── Why this memo? What should it answer?

3. [THEMATIC SECTIONS]
   ├── Section 1: [Theme]
   │   └── Subheadings as needed
   ├── Section 2: [Theme]
   └── Section 3: [Theme]

4. ANALYSIS
   └── Synthesis of findings, implications

5. RECOMMENDATIONS
   └── Numbered, concrete actions

6. REFERENCES
   └── Full reference list
```

## Standard structure: policy brief

```
[TITLE — concise, descriptive]

KEY MESSAGES (3-5 bullets)
• Message 1
• Message 2
• Message 3

BACKGROUND
[2-3 paragraphs]

PROBLEM ANALYSIS
[3-4 paragraphs with subheadings]

POLICY OPTIONS
1. Option A: [description, pros/cons]
2. Option B: [description, pros/cons]
3. Option C: [description, pros/cons]

RECOMMENDATION
[Clear preference for one option + reasoning]

REFERENCES
```

## Linguistic conventions

### Administrative language

| Do | Avoid |
|----|-------|
| "This memorandum aims to..." | "In this memo I will..." |
| "The assessment is that..." | "I think that..." |
| "It can be established that..." | "It is obvious that..." |
| "The analysis shows..." | "As everyone knows..." |
| "In light of..." | "Because of..." |

### Recommendation phrasings

| Strength | Phrasing |
|----------|----------|
| Strong | "Should [action]" |
| Medium | "Should consider [action]" |
| Cautious | "May consider [action]" |

## Evidence handling

### In-text citations

```
According to agency X, cyber attacks rose 40 percent in 2023 (Agency X, 2024).

A report from think tank Y shows that actor Z uses extensive structures for
information control (ThinkTank Y, 2024).
```

### Reference list (Harvard/APA hybrid)

```
ThinkTank Y (2024) Title of the report. Available at:
https://example.org/report

Agency X (2024) Annual cybersecurity report. City: Agency X.

Government (2024) Bill 2023/24:XX Strengthened cybersecurity. City.
```

## Recommendation formulation

### Structure per recommendation

```
Recommendation X: [Short heading]

[What]: concrete description of the action
[Who]: responsible actor
[When]: time horizon
[How]: implementation in short
```

### Example

```
Recommendation 1: evaluate the use of platform X in the public sector

The country should systematically evaluate the use of platform X in
public-sector agencies. The evaluation should be led by agency Y in
consultation with agency Z and include a risk assessment of data
handling, algorithmic influence, and links to foreign interests. Work
should begin immediately and be reported within six months.
```

## Consultation-response structure

```
Response to consultation: [Reference] [Title of the proposal]

SUMMARY OF VIEWS
[Briefly: support / oppose / support with changes]

GENERAL VIEWS
[Overall assessment]

VIEWS ON SPECIFIC PROPOSALS

[Section/paragraph X]
[View with reasoning]

[Section/paragraph Y]
[View with reasoning]

IMPACT ANALYSIS
[Views on the impact assessment]

[Organization/Agency]
[Date]
```

## Quality criteria

### Evidence requirements

| Claim type | Requirement |
|------------|-------------|
| Factual claim | Source required |
| Statistics | Primary source + year |
| International comparison | Specific source |
| Assessment | Clearly marked as assessment |

### Balance

- Report contradictory data
- Identify knowledge gaps
- Distinguish facts from assessments
- Avoid hyperbole

## Executive summary writing

### Principles

1. Stand on its own (reader understands without reading the rest)
2. Mirror the document's structure
3. Include main findings and recommendations
4. Max 10% of document length
5. Write LAST (when the analysis is done)

## Checklist

- [ ] Clear purpose stated?
- [ ] Logical structure with headings?
- [ ] Evidence for every factual claim?
- [ ] Recommendations concrete and addressed?
- [ ] Reference list complete?
- [ ] Summary stands alone?
- [ ] Right level of formality?
- [ ] Balanced presentation?

## Instruction

1. Ask about document type (memo / policy brief / consultation response) if not specified
2. Ask about audience/recipient
3. Ask about desired length
4. Structure per the relevant template
5. Integrate evidence systematically
6. Formulate concrete recommendations
7. Write the summary last
8. Verify the reference list

---

🎯 COMPLETED: [SKILL:policy-brief] [memo/policy brief on X]
🗣️ CUSTOM COMPLETED: [SKILL:policy-brief] [Document ready]