Communicating with Intelligence: Writing and Briefing for National Security

by M. Patrick Hendrix, James S. Major

Overview

Writing and briefing are fundamental to the intelligence profession. The ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and coherently is basic to all intelligence disciplines, even the most technical. Communicating with Intelligence, Third Edition is a handbook on writing and briefing intelligence based on the decades of practical experience of James S. Major. The book is designed primarily for faculty and students pursuing studies in intelligence, national security, and homeland security, who need to learn the art of preparing written products and intelligence briefings. But it also has considerable value for working professionals who simply wish to sharpen their communication skills. The third edition of Communicating with Intelligence provides the expediency, efficiency, and effectiveness instructors and members of the Intelligence Community require for a communication handbook.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538160671
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/27/2022
Series:	Security and Professional Intelligence Education Series
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	310
Sales rank:	241,959
Product dimensions:	5.94(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.92(d)

About the Author

M. Patrick Hendrix is an assistant professor in the Department of Intelligence and Security Studies at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. He teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses including open-source intelligence, analysis and research, and Geospatial intelligence. He previously served as director of The Citadel’s Writing Center.

James S. Major spent 40 years in intelligence, serving in both military and civilian capacity, in assignments at the tactical, operational, strategic, and national levels. He has previously written 15 books, all published by the U.S. Government, and in 1997 he was awarded the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction – Jan Goldman

Part I: The Foundations of Good Intelligence Communication

1. What It's All About

Bottom Line Up Front Analysts: The Voice of the Intelligence Community

Getting Started:

Consider the Reader

The Style of Good Intelligence Writing: Bottom Line Upfront

Three Goals of Intelligence Writing: Judge, Interpret, Support

Real World Problems

Four differences Between Academic and Intelligence Writing

Making the Distinction Clear – Especially for Students

Facilitating the Process

Final Thoughts and Exercises

Notes

1. Using Argument in Intelligence Writing

Bottom Line Up Front

What is an Argument?

Formulating a Thesis Statement

Argument Reflects How Humans Think

Evaluating Arguments

Final Thoughts and Exercises

1. Reading: Fundamental to Writing

Bottom Line Up Front

Read to Write

The Forms of Intelligence: Basic, Current, Estimative

Examining Content

Evaluating Finished Intelligence

Graphics: Attention Grabbers

Final Thoughts and Exercises

Part II: Writing with Intelligence

1. Research Methods

Bottom Line Up Front

Time Management

Searching, Researching

Evaluating Sources

Final Thoughts and Exercises

1. Analysis Check

Bottom Line Up Front

Structured Analytic Techniques

Final Thoughts and Exercises

1. Prewriting

Bottom Line Up Front

Finding Your Subject

Focusing on Form and Format

Finding Time and Managing Length

Prewriting Tools: Building a Foundation

Final Thoughts and Exercises

1. Writing the First Draft

Bottom Line Up Front

Drafting: Get Right To It

Set Realistic Goals and Pace Yourself

Clarity: Be Kind to Your Reader

Time to Get Organized

Transitions: Moving Smoothly Ahead

Introductions: Not Methodology

The Body of Your Writing

Drafting Conclusion: The Role of Intelligence Writing

Final Thoughts and Exercises

1. Finishing a Draft

Bottom Line Up Front

A Model Process for Revising an Analytical Paper

Constraints on Review

Reviewer and Writer’s Experience

Basic Revision Techniques

Thesis and Overview Statements

Commonly Asked Questions about Revision

Ten Questions to Help You Examine Your Own Writing Process

Exercises in Writing Analytical Papers

Part III: Briefing with Intelligence

1. Scripting Your Briefing

Bottom Line Up Front

A Disclaimer: Read and Heed

A Brief Typology of Briefings

The Organization, Mission, and Functions Briefing

The ABCs of Good Intelligence Briefings and Briefers

Get Started: Get Organized

Prewrite

Analyze Your Audience

Outline Your Thoughts

Writing the Script

Pointers for Writing the Script

Use of Notes

Using Visual Aids

Putting Words and Pictures Together

Final Thoughts and Exercises

1. Briefing the Customer

Bottom Line Up Front

Appearance: Make First Impressions Count

Cognizance: Knowledge Really Is Power

Final Thoughts and Exercises

1. Citing Your Sources
2. Handling and Citing Classified Material

Appendix A: Memo for the Director and Deputy Director from Vice Chairman of the National Intelligence Council Herbert E. Meyer

Appendix B: FBI Intelligence Estimate

Appendix C: Briefing Evaluation Form

Bibliography

Dictionaries and Thesauruses

Sources for Writing Style, Grammar, and Composition

Sources for Analysis and Research

Briefing-Related Sources

Other Sources Used or Consulted for This Book

About the author

Index

Editorial Reviews

Communicating with Intelligence fulfills a basic need in intelligence studies by providing a comprehensive and common-sense guide for the aspiring or apprentice intelligence analyst. The first two editions by James Major covered just about every aspect of issues of writing and briefing intelligence products. I am aware of no other book that does as thorough a job.

From the Publisher

Communicating with Intelligence fulfills a basic need in intelligence studies by providing a comprehensive and common-sense guide for the aspiring or apprentice intelligence analyst. The first two editions by James Major covered just about every aspect of issues of writing and briefing intelligence products. I am aware of no other book that does as thorough a job.

Studies In Intelligence