Specify the nature of the problem. What are the symptoms? Who is affected? How? • Articulate the severity of the problem. What happens if the problem is not addressed? • Offer plausible goals for policy intervention. (e.g. Policymakers should aim to [define goals]…) • Identify 2-3 different policy approaches—i.e. different paths—to achieve your stated goals. • What criteria should policymakers use to evaluate these different policy alternatives? • What outcomes do you predict for each alternative?