Chapter 12 — Advocacy Strategies • Opening with a statement of the problem. Stating the problem and its consequences in a few sentences at the very beginning of the analysis allows readers to grasp quickly the issue in question and the position of the drafters. This statement can be elaborated in the analysis and conclusion. • Providing a summary of the applicable law relevant to the problem at issue. In this part, the drafters outline the relevant domestic law and international human rights or other standards that apply to a situation. • Providing a brief description of the relevant facts. Factual information derived from monitoring observations is used by drafters to convey, in a vivid manner, the nature or magnitude of a problem. One or more examples may be provided. Statistics may be used to make or supplement a point. • Applying the law to the facts and reaching a conclusion. A description of the facts will often, in itself, demonstrate non-compliance with a law or international standard. When this is the case, a conclusion can be set out immediately. If such a conclusion does not flow directly from the facts, drafters can analyze point-by-point how the legal elements apply to the facts, enabling the reader to follow the argument and understand the eventual conclusion. In addition to drawing a conclusion, the drafters can also refer in this section to the possible root causes of the problem, substantiating their position with evidence or corroborating arguments. • Issuing recommendations. In the final section, reports should include specific recommendations to the competent authorities on how the identified problem can be remedied. The inclusion and order of these elements will depend on the specific circumstances of the report and the guidelines adopted by the particular monitoring programme. Drafters should always keep in mind, however, the objective of their reporting and should gear their writing towards their target audience. Being clear about the problem and the programme’s position on it as early as possible in the text can be the most effective way to convey the desired message. Following a predictable structure makes a report easier for a reader to follow. It is good practice for programmes to develop and disseminate writing-style guidelines to all staff.169 This will ensure consistency in writing, especially when different parts of internal reports are pieced together into a report for external distribution. Additionally, OSCE programmes should use the guidance provided in the OSCE Style Manual. At every stage of reporting, drafters should reference sources, as this ensures the report’s accuracy and reliability, as well as its compliance with copyright regulations. ·· Components of public reports In taking the proposed structural elements further, the following are elements generally included in public trial-monitoring reports of all types. ÀÀ Title, copyright issues, abbreviations and tables of contents In deciding on the title of a report, programme managers should consider how best to convey its content in a succinct, yet accurate manner. For instance, naming a publication “review of the justice system”, if it concentrates only on two distinct aspects of the system will be misleading for the reader. Managers have frequently chosen a primary title for their reports, followed by a more extensive secondary title that mentions the country, courts monitored or other pieces of information that characterize the publication better.170 It is highly recommended that the publication date, or at least the year, be included on the cover of the report. 169  These rules can include, for example, whether British or American spelling is used, rules for capitalization; and guidelines using numbers, headings, quotes and footnotes. 170  See the boxes in Chapter 12.2 for examples of report titles used in OSCE programmes. 113