Human resources administration essay

According to Steve Frakt (2015)1, “A
policy memo provides information, guidance or recommendations about an issue or problem
to a decision-maker.” In here, you will need to apply the readings/discussions to a given case
and answer some case-related questions. Your answers must be clearly written and well
organized.
It is important to note that there are no right/wrong answers. The quality of your work will be
judged by the strength of your arguments informed by the course readings. In particular, each
of your memos will be evaluated in four areas (rubric):
3. Response to the problem/question (20%).
4. Make arguments clear and elaborate on them sufficiently (30%).
5. Develop and support the ideas with course readings (40%).
6. Use languages, grammar, and citations/references correctly (10%).
Incorporation of external materials (in addition to course materials) in your memos is
welcome (up to +5% extra points).
The Policy Memo should be submitted on Friday (11:59 pm)
Hints on Memo Writing
While working on your memos, please keep the following points in mind.
1 Frakt, S. (2015). Policy memo writing tips. Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Retreived
from: https://spia.princeton.edu/blogs/policy-memo-writing-tips

Overall, your memo should be developed in a straightforward way for a target
audience (pretend it is your supervisor). Always put yourself into their shoes: They
are busy and want you to (1) explain in a straightforward way so that they can
understand shortly and (2) make a strong argument with supporting evidence. Thus,
you need to address the questions directly (what it is) and explain why certain actions
should be undertaken (why it is). Try to pull your audience to your position.
2. Consider memos as formal professional writing. You need to use formal language in
the memo. Again, think you’re writing to your supervisor. You cannot be too casual.
3. It is unnecessary to describe or even quote what the textbook says. Use those points to
serve your arguments. Your supervisor would not be interested in what a textbook
says. Rather, make your points and use/cite textbooks and other materials to support
your arguments.
4. Try to avoid very strong and emotional words like “best” and “greatest”. For example,
evidence-based management is the best approach. You need to make a strong case for
something using evidence, instead of using these emotional words to make your
arguments very subjective.
5. When you use empirical evidence or examples to support your arguments, include
credible citations/references to show the source. You need to tell readers that these
examples are real and reliable, not fake ones.
6. Personal stories and experiences should not be used in formal writing to make your
argument objective. Try to frame your stories objectively. In here, be careful when
generalizing conclusions from a single/unique experience. Also, remember that
correlation does not equal causation.
7. Here are some helpful tips on memo writing that you might refer to:
• https://spia.princeton.edu/blogs/policy-memo-writing-tips
• https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/36824/11-479Spring-
2004/NR/rdonlyres/Urban-Studies-and-Planning/11-479Spring-
2004/9CE4ACA2-EC3D- 4C1D-91CC-27971E27DCF5/0/pmwriting.pdf
8. You can also find real memos from the Office of Management and Budget here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/memoranda/. Although
you don’t necessarily follow their style, you can still get a feel for what
policy/management mementos look like in real government operations.