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Policy Drafting - Where Concept Meets Approval

Writing a technical paper may not be easy but it is relatively straightforward because of a clear focus. Writing a report may be demanding but there is (usually) enough research data and information lying about to support a decent submission.

But writing a qualitative policy paper? Well, even for the best of staff writers (in government or major corporations), it is a tough task because there is neither a clarity of objective as afforded by a technical paper nor an abundance of evidence as supplied for a standard report. How worse, then, would it be for a young officer plying the trade of policy writing for the first time?

A policy draft, which can take the form of a strategy, doctrine or the popular concept paper, is an arduous writing challenge because its objective may be unclear or multi-faceted; its direction may be ambivalent; and its content is devoid of quantitative support. The overworked policy writer has to summon her imagination, forward her qualitative arguments and sting with her persuasive summation just to get the attention of her approving authority. Skip a beat, and the whole argument is flawed. Burden it with details and the paper is deemed overloaded. Surely there is a (short cut?) way to write smart without writing hard?

Let DR SUNNY GOH, who has thrilled and skilled thousands of staff writers with his AOS Thesis Summary© and Post-Mortem© writing tools, show you a kinder and faster way to painless policy writing. Whether you have been on the job for a year or a decade, you need to attend this course because you may not have been doing it the right way or worse, been schooled the wrong way. So even if you are keen to improve your general writing skills, you will find this course beneficial.

Objective

At the end of the one-day programme, participants will be able to:

1. differentiate policy writing from other forms of report writing
2. plan a paper efficiently by using an AOS Thesis Summary © writing tool
3. draft a policy effectively by using a Post-Mortem © writing tool
4. use a * free REFERENCE CARD as a template
5. write with a * freeMODEL PAPER in hand

Outline

Principles of Good Writing

• The characteristics of all good reporting writing
• The place of policy in report writing
• The balance between qualitative and quantitative arguments

AOS Thesis Summary© Drafting

• Establish the Action (Approving Authority)
• State the Objective (Primary aim and Secondary objectives)
• Outline the Structure (what-why-how process)

Post-Mortem© Drafting

• Principle Considerations
• Concept of Operation
• Terms of Reference
• Scope of Project
• SRA versus Options paper
• Conclusion: Follow-up, Looking Forward and Moving Ahead

Who should attend

Policy Officers and Staff Writers who need to conceptualise and draft qualitative papers for approval or discussion. Those who need to write non-approval Reports should also attend to enhance their writing skills.

Testimonials

"Sunny is one of the most dedicated and passionate lecturers I have come across. He is clear in his delivery and explanation, and weaves in real life examples of the concepts he teaches. The course is very useful and provides a good structured way of thinking out a policy paper and is highly recommended for all public service officers who are involved in policy work."
IPOS (Jan 2018)

"This course is not just a normal writing course on drafting a policy paper, as it provides useful insights and policy considerations as well."
NParks (Feb 2018)

"Dr Sunny is effective in delivering the course and his depth of knowledge in this area has facilitated it to be smooth running and paced suitably for learning. He has also included examples for the ease of our learning and applicability of the concepts."
LTA (Apr 2018)

"The course by Dr Sunny gives us very good overview, guidelines and examples of how to draft good public policies."
MINDEF (Aug 2018)

"The policy aspects were very well explained!"
MOE (Mar 2018)

I would like to thank you for your really engaging and insightful course. I will remember the tips you have given and apply them in my writing. You have been a great trainer with great energy and I wish you all the best for your future courses.
Singapore Tourism Board (Aug 2020)

Dr. Goh provided a wealth of valuable advice that will prove beneficial as I draft my concept paper for my daily work. The materials presented were thorough and encompassing, offering comprehensive coverage.

Profile of Dr. Sunny Goh

Dr Sunny Goh is a Trainer of Trainers (TOT) and has taught many writing coaches to teach writing programmes he has designed for government servants and private sector officers. He was head of the International directorate in Mindef's Defence Policy Office, where he has written Cab Memos, budget papers and presented Singapore’s position at international fora. He was a member of the SAF Scholars Selection Board and chairman of a university’s Resource Panel.

He was also a Desk Editor at The Straits Times, where he taught reporting and interviewing skills at its School of Journalism. In all, his participants had included CEOs, professors, staff writers, technical specialists, undergraduates and students. It doesn’t matter how high a participant’s work status may be - all that mattered is a penchant for learning.

As a volunteer, he was a Mediator with the Ministry of Law, a Council Member of the Singapore Red Cross Society and writes regularly for the local and regional media. And, oh yes, he was co-founder of an attractive English Premier League supporters club in Singapore that neither don red nor blue.