What Are Arguments of Policy?

Policy claims are assertions about what should (or should not) be done, in a very concrete sense. (Claims about what should or should not done purely in an ethical sense, as in “People shouldn’t lie,” are more properly classified as ethical evaluations.)

Policy arguments are also often called problem-solution arguments or proposal arguments. These alternative terms can be useful to help your remember that your argument must clearly lay out the problem that exists, and that the solution you suggest must be an actual proposal, not just a vague suggestion.

Writing Arguments of Policy

Arguments of policy truly combine everything you’ve learned about argumentation.

The first part of making a policy argument is convincing your readers that a problem exists and motivating them to want to solve that problem. People are naturally wary of change and prefer the status quo, so you’ll want to make sure your argument fully establishes not just that the problem is real, but creates a sense of urgency to address the problem. Common strategies include:

The first part of making a policy argument is convincing your readers that a problem exists. You will marshal arguments of fact and value as needed to do this. Common strategies include:

1. Arguing that a particular situation has negative effects:
   • Present factual evidence and data that demonstrate the harmful consequences or impacts of the current situation.
   • Use causal reasoning to establish a clear link between the situation and the negative outcomes.
   • Highlight the ethical implications of these negative effects, such as violations of human rights, environmental degradation, or economic inequalities.
2. Arguing that a particular situation is unethical or immoral:
   • Appeal to widely accepted moral principles, values, or ethical frameworks to demonstrate that the current situation is inherently wrong or unjust.
   • Provide examples or case studies that illustrate how the situation violates these moral or ethical standards.
   • Utilize emotional appeals and vivid language to evoke a sense of moral outrage or indignation among the audience.
3. Presenting compelling narratives or personal stories:
   • Use anecdotes, testimonials, or real-life examples to humanize the problem and create an emotional connection with the audience.
   • Highlight the personal struggles, hardships, or injustices faced by individuals or communities affected by the problem.
4. Citing authoritative sources and expert opinions:
   • Reference studies, reports, or statements from credible organizations, think tanks, or subject matter experts to lend weight and credibility to the argument.
   • Use statistics, survey data, or research findings to quantify the magnitude or severity of the problem.
5. Comparing the current situation to historical examples or analogies:
   • Draw parallels between the present problem and past situations that were widely recognized as problematic or unjust.
   • Use historical examples to demonstrate the potential consequences of inaction or the benefits of addressing similar issues.

The next part is detailing your actual proposal. The more specific you can be, the better. Who should do what? When, where, and how should they do it? Be very careful not to use passive voice in your claim. “Automatic weapons should be banned” doesn’t tell the reader who would be banning them or any details about what that ban would look like.

The final part of making a policy argument is explaining why your proposed solution is good; again, you will need to marshal arguments of fact and/or value. Most typically, this part of the argument will rely on causal arguments to establish the effects of your proposed action and/or comparison arguments showing how similar proposals have worked. You will need to address common criteria for evaluating a proposal:

• Efficacy – Will your proposal actually solve the problem? This involves demonstrating a clear causal link between the proposed action and the desired outcome.
• Feasibility – Is your proposal practical and realistic? This takes into account factors such as available resources, logistics, legal constraints, and potential obstacles to implementation.
• Cost – Is your proposal worth what it will cost? What are the financial, time, and resource costs associated with the proposed solution? Additionally, potential unintended negative consequences should be considered and weighed against the expected benefits.

Not only do you need to address these criteria for your own proposal, but you also need to consider alternative proposals and how they compare to yours on each criterion.

Policy arguments can be affirmative, advocating for a specific action or policy to be implemented, or negative, arguing against a particular proposal or course of action. While negative policy arguments are less common, they should still be based on a clear understanding of the proposed policy or action being opposed and provide specific reasons and evidence for the opposition.

Related Writing Assignments

• Proposal Essay