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Value: 25% of course grade (briefing note: 15%; presentation: 10%)
Due Date: BN: October 28; presentations: November 1, 2, 4
Scenario
The provincial government has recently announced a new commission to help identify policy priorities for the next decade. Vision 20/20, as the commission is called, is inviting recommendations from British Columbians on how the government can ensure that the province will continue to be "the best place on earth," as its slogan states. Submissions, in the form of formal policy recommendations, must relate to one of the following policy priorities:
- Education and Literacy
- Healthy Living
- Jobs and the Economy
- Environmental Management
- Homelessness and Affordable Housing
- Arts and Culture
As a class, you will prepare a number of Vision 20/20 submissions as small-group projects. The issues that will be developed into policy recommendations will be chosen by the class from the briefing notes and presentations you will do for this assignment.
The Task
- Prepare a two-page (plus appendices, if required) briefing note for the class. Your BN must describe and explain the issue you have chosen, present and discuss the options, and include a recommendation. Any supporting documentation can be included in appendices. Attach a list of your sources of information, using whichever citation style you are most familiar with. Review How to Write A Briefing Note to remind yourself of the structure and characteristics of a good briefing note.
- Create a PowerPoint presentation to accompany a 5-minute oral briefing on the issue you've chosen. Read PowerPoint Notes for tips on preparing and presenting your deck.
At the conclusion of the oral briefings, we will decide which of the issues presented will be developed into Vision 20/20 policy submissions.
Tips on Choosing a Topic
Your topic must relate to one of the Vision 20/20 priorities listed above. If the issue you dealt with in your first BN falls into one of those categories, you may stay with that issue. If not, you will have to choose a new topic. Whichever you do, keep the following points in mind:
- The closer the issue is to your own interests, the better.
- Be realistic about your workload, the time available, and your knowledge. Limit the scope of your topic. Ask me for advice if you feel your topic is too big.
- Your goal is not to accumulate information but to distill it. As you prepare your BN, limit yourself to ONLY the details necessary for someone to understand the issue and the options for addressing it. Any additional information should be included in appendices.
Important Dates
October 21: By this date, let me know by email which issue you've chosen.
October 26: Bring a draft of your briefing note to class. You will have the chance to discuss any problems you're having with the assignment and to exchange drafts with another student for peer editing. Don't miss the workshop; if you do (without a legitimate excuse), you will lose 30% from your grade for the assignment.
October 28: Send your revised briefing note to me as an attachment by 11:59 p.m. Name your file: YourlastnameBN2.doc (e.g., doyleBN2.doc).
November 1, 2, 4: Oral briefings. We'll determine the order of speakers in class on October 18.
Briefing Note Checklist
When you have prepared your briefing note, go through the following criteria to make sure you've met all the expectations of the assignment.
- Is the issue clear?
- Have you provided adequate background information for your reader to understand the issue?
- Have you identified and briefly discussed the key considerations?
- Have you included the most feasible options?
- Does your analysis of the options address the key considerations?
- Does your recommendation reflect an objective analysis of the pros and cons?
- Does your recommendation address the issue?
- Is your briefing note easy to read, understand and remember?
- Do the sections lead logically from one to another?
- Is the briefing note designed so that it is inviting to the reader?
- Has the briefing note been edited for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling and mechanics?
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