ECON 1010 Macroeconomics

Template

Part A: Diagnostics Analysis

In Part A, the overall page length cannot exceed two pages

Read ‘Policy Brief Instructions’. Note each group has two indicators. You must present and analyze each indicator from the chosen group of indicators.

Attach one Table/Figure for each indicator

Make sure that each figure/table has readable labels indicating the unit of observations and variables (e.g., the large enough font to read)

Name of country: XXXXXXXX

Indicator 1 from Group A (or B): XXXXXXXXXX

Presentation

Attach one Table/Figure here

Comments and observations (Maximum 7 lines)

Indicator 2 from the same Group A (or B): XXXXXXXXXX

Presentation

Attach one Table/Figure here

Comments and observations (Maximum 7 lines)

Max. of two pages for Part A (anything more than 2 pages will not be assessed)

Part B: Policy Brief

In Part B, the overall page length cannot exceed three pages For the best possible grade, it is necessary to follow the instruction closely. Any deviations will result in marks taken away. Assignments are graded against marking criteria that incorporate the requirements set out in the ‘Policy Brief Instructions’. Failing to appropriately include all the requirements outlined in the instructions typically precludes the awarding of top marks.

Briefing for the (insert decision-makers’ title here. It can be a prime minister!)

Subject: Include a brief but descriptive subject line. (Max length 1 line).

Guide: The subject is the ‘title of your policy brief’.

Write an executive summary of the policy brief. Your core message should consist of three sentences. The first one provides a summary of the scenario and what you found in Part A. The second sentence summarizes the key rationale for your recommendation. The final sentence summarizes your policy recommendation. Maximum length of 5 lines.

Guide: The statements in this part should stand on their own. Provide specific information and avoid generalities. The reader of your brief should be able to understand the core message without referring to the background information or the rest of the brief.

Recommendations

Provide minimum 2 to maximum 4 recommendations with maximum of five lines are permitted for this section.

Guide: Each recommendation should be stated as a clear course of action for the government /organization to pursue. Be precise with your recommendation and the likely impact on the economy but be concise. Avoid generalities and ambiguous statements. Do not explain or seek to justify your recommendation in this section. Do not describe the consequence of your policy recommendation. Do not state conditions or caveats for your recommendation.

Economic rationale

Begin this section with a short outline of the context for the brief, the summary of the problem identified in Part A, and any other issues that you think useful.

Guide: This should set the scene for the reader and should provide the reader with sufficient background information to understand the purpose of the brief.

Use the remainder of this section to present economic justifications and the rationale behind your recommendation(s). In your discussion, you should;

highlight any trade-offs entailed in your recommendation(s)

raise any additional issues if implemented.

point out the feasibility of the policy implementation (your recommendation(s) need to be realistic)

You can discuss the economics rationale for all your recommendations together or separately for each recommendation. It should be decided by the students as in what format they can present their argument effectively.

In the end, narratives should form a logical argument supporting your policy recommendation.

Guide: Incorporate all information required to support your recommendation in this section, regardless of whether or not the same information has been included elsewhere in the brief. Do not assert facts that are unsupported by either the narrative or the diagnostics conducted in section A.

NOTE: Remaining 4 marks come from the literary presentation of the report (See Rubrics for details)

Max. page is 3 pages for Part B (anything more than 3 pages will not be assessed, but you may attach a one-page of reference list after the 3-page limit)