Public Policy Writing That Matters

by David Chrisinger, Deborah Stone (Foreword by)

Overview

The trusted guide to honing your public policy writing skills and making a significant impact on the world, thoroughly updated and expanded.

Effective policy writing holds the transformative power to inspire action, shape public opinion, and influence outcomes. In the third edition of Public Policy Writing That Matters, communications expert David Chrisinger, who directs the Harris Writing Workshop at the University of Chicago and worked in the US Government Accountability Office for nearly a decade, continues to demystify the art of writing persuasively about public policy.

Effective public policy writing is a catalyst for meaningful societal change. Chrisinger argues that by mastering the craft of clear, concise, and compelling communication, writers can elevate their ability to influence decision-makers, mobilize communities, and drive lasting and positive change. The book combines practical advice, insightful analysis, and hands-on exercises to provide a comprehensive guide for readers who want to improve their policy-writing skills. Offering real-world examples and cautionary tales, it offers a step-by-step approach to crafting impactful policy analysis, leveraging evidence, and framing arguments persuasively.

Aimed at helping students and professionals overcome their default impulses to merely "explain," this book reveals proven tips for writing sophisticated and persuasive policy analysis that is also easy to understand. For anyone interested in planning, organizing, developing, writing, and revising accessible public policy, Chrisinger offers a step-by-step guide that covers everything from the most effective presentation methods to the best ways to write a sentence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421454306
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	04/07/2026
Edition description:	third edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.51(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David Chrisinger is the director of the policy writing program at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. He is the author of Stories Are What Save Us: A Survivor's Guide to Writing about Trauma and the co-author of Because Data Can’t Speak for Itself: A Practical Guide to Telling Persuasive Policy Stories.

David Chrisinger is the director of the policy writing program at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. He is the author of Stories Are What Save Us: A Survivor's Guide to Writing about Trauma and the co-author of Because Data Can't Speak for Itself: A Practical Guide to Telling Persuasive Policy Stories.

Table of Contents

Contents
Foreword by Dr. Deborah Stone, Author of Policy Paradox
Introduction
Step 1: Clarify Your Thinking before You Write
1. Generating an Effective Research Statement
2. Moving from a Research Statement to Strong Policy Research Questions
Step 2: Identify the Four Elements of a Persuasive Policy Recommendation
3. Advocating for Reform with the Four Elements of a Persuasive Policy Recommendation
4. Making More Impactful Recommendations Using the Importance/Difficulty Matrix
5. Understanding the Landscape of Reform with Stakeholder Mapping
6. Writing to Meet the Unique Needs of Your Reader
Step 3: Choose the Most Valuable Method to Deliver Your Message
7. Telling What You Know: Policy Memos, Briefs, and Reports
8. Framing Your Message More Effectively with the Moral Foundations Theory
9. Showing What's True: Policy Reform Narratives
10. Creating and Delivering Impactful Presentations
Step 4: Revise Your Paragraphs and Sentences for Coherence, Clarity, and Concision
11. Improving Paragraph Coherence with Deductive Structure
12. Strengthening Sentence Cores to Improve Clarity
13. Pruning Needless Words for Clearer, More Effective Writing
14. More Strategies for Being Your Own Best Editor
Step 5: Share Your Work with the World
15. Mastering the Art of the Pitch: Op-Eds and Longform Journalism
16. Leveraging Digital Communication Tools for Policy Advocacy
Conclusion: Making Your Policy Writing Matter
Acknowledgments
Mastering the Craft: Essential Tips for Effective Writing about Public Policy
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index

What People are Saying About This

Jakov Bojović

David Chrisinger's work is an essential resource for public policy professionals, teachers, and students alike. I have used Public Policy Writing That Matters as teaching material for students and executives for the past three years. With specific guidelines and real-world examples, Chrisinger gives readers a clear path to improvement of skills that they will find exceptionally useful toward any career in public policy, be it government work, policy analysis, or advocacy.

Sara Rinfret

Public Policy Writing That Matters is clearly written for students to excel in policy-related fields. This book is a must-read for undergraduate- and graduate-level policy courses.

From the Publisher

Chrisinger combines quick-hitting, practical guidance with cases that inspire critical analysis to create a text ideal for public policy communication courses.
—Stacy Rosenberg, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University

Public Policy Writing That Matters is clearly written for students to excel in policy-related fields. This book is a must-read for undergraduate- and graduate-level policy courses.
—Sara Rinfret, Baucus Institute Department of Public Administration & Policy, University of Montana

David Chrisinger's work is an essential resource for public policy professionals, teachers, and students alike. I have used Public Policy Writing That Matters as teaching material for students and executives for the past three years. With specific guidelines and real-world examples, Chrisinger gives readers a clear path to improvement of skills that they will find exceptionally useful toward any career in public policy, be it government work, policy analysis, or advocacy.
—Jakov Bojović, President and Executive Director, Centre for Policy Writing

Stacy Rosenberg

Chrisinger combines quick-hitting, practical guidance with cases that inspire critical analysis to create a text ideal for public policy communication courses.

Editorial Reviews

Chrisinger brings a lively, obviously enthusiastic and experienced approach to his topic—how to write effective policy recommendations to a US policymaker audience.
—Public Investigations

From the Publisher

Chrisinger brings a lively, obviously enthusiastic and experienced approach to his topic—how to write effective policy recommendations to a US policymaker audience.

Public Investigations