The Judy Bradford Smith case presented challenges that called for the use of some source documents that would not typically meet the standard for intelligence work. Here, the lesson is not “avoid weak sources.” Instead, it is to grade citations and disclose the level to which the information can be verified so your audience has theContinue reading “Judy Bradford Smith: Using “Imperfect” Sources To Support Your Analysis”
Category Archives: Writing
Writing: A Core Competency Of The Intelligence Analyst
Here are some tips to help convey a clear and concise written message to consumers of intelligence analysis. Writing is a core competency of the intelligence analyst. If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. Albert Einstein
The Format Of The Analytical Statement: What/So What?
Intelligence analysis is the interpretation of facts. Analysts examine a scenario or data set, put the facts into context, add perspective, and explain to a decision maker why it all matters. The written format of an analytical statement is sometimes described as the “what/so what?” The “what” is the fact; the “so what” is itsContinue reading “The Format Of The Analytical Statement: What/So What?”
A Strong Title Delivers Your Bottom Line
The title of an intelligence product is a shortened version of the thesis; it delivers the product’s bottom line. A title should contain as much of the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the thesis statement as possible while still being concise. Titles are written in the form of an incomplete sentence. TheyContinue reading “A Strong Title Delivers Your Bottom Line”
Inverted Pyramid: The Format For Intelligence Products
Formal intelligence products follow the same basic format, an inverted pyramid. Agencies have their own templates—sometimes multiple templates to fit different types of intelligence products—but all place the most important information at the top, followed by supportive analysis and facts. The overall presentation is sometimes referred to as the “bottom line up front,” or BLUF.Continue reading “Inverted Pyramid: The Format For Intelligence Products”