Communicating with Intelligence

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.

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.

• PrefaceIntroduction – Jan GoldmanPart I: The Foundations of Good Intelligence CommunicationWhat It's All AboutBottom Line Up Front Analysts: The Voice of the Intelligence CommunityGetting Started:Consider the ReaderThe Style of Good Intelligence Writing: Bottom Line UpfrontThree Goals of Intelligence Writing: Judge, Interpret, SupportReal World ProblemsFour differences Between Academic and Intelligence Writing Making the Distinction Clear – Especially for StudentsFacilitating the ProcessFinal Thoughts and ExercisesNotesUsing Argument in Intelligence WritingBottom Line Up FrontWhat is an Argument?Formulating a Thesis StatementArgument Reflects How Humans ThinkEvaluating ArgumentsFinal Thoughts and ExercisesReading: Fundamental to WritingBottom Line Up FrontRead to WriteThe Forms of Intelligence: Basic, Current, EstimativeExamining ContentEvaluating Finished IntelligenceGraphics: Attention GrabbersFinal Thoughts and ExercisesPart II: Writing with IntelligenceResearch MethodsBottom Line Up FrontTime ManagementSearching, ResearchingEvaluating SourcesFinal Thoughts and ExercisesAnalysis CheckBottom Line Up FrontStructured Analytic TechniquesFinal Thoughts and ExercisesPrewritingBottom Line Up FrontFinding Your SubjectFocusing on Form and FormatFinding Time and Managing LengthPrewriting Tools: Building a FoundationFinal Thoughts and ExercisesWriting the First DraftBottom Line Up FrontDrafting: Get Right To ItSet Realistic Goals and Pace YourselfClarity: Be Kind to Your ReaderTime to Get OrganizedTransitions: Moving Smoothly AheadIntroductions: Not MethodologyThe Body of Your WritingDrafting Conclusion: The Role of Intelligence WritingFinal Thoughts and ExercisesFinishing a DraftBottom Line Up FrontA Model Process for Revising an Analytical PaperConstraints on ReviewReviewer and Writer’s ExperienceBasic Revision TechniquesThesis and Overview StatementsCommonly Asked Questions about RevisionTen Questions to Help You Examine Your Own Writing ProcessExercises in Writing Analytical PapersPart III: Briefing with IntelligenceScripting Your BriefingBottom Line Up FrontA Disclaimer: Read and HeedA Brief Typology of BriefingsThe Organization, Mission, and Functions BriefingThe ABCs of Good Intelligence Briefings and BriefersGet Started: Get OrganizedPrewriteAnalyze Your AudienceOutline Your ThoughtsWriting the ScriptPointers for Writing the ScriptUse of NotesUsing Visual AidsPutting Words and Pictures TogetherFinal Thoughts and ExercisesBriefing the CustomerBottom Line Up FrontAppearance: Make First Impressions CountCognizance: Knowledge Really Is PowerFinal Thoughts and ExercisesCiting Your Sources Handling and Citing Classified MaterialAppendix A: Memo for the Director and Deputy Director from Vice Chairman of the National Intelligence Council Herbert E. MeyerAppendix B: FBI Intelligence EstimateAppendix C: Briefing Evaluation FormBibliographyDictionaries and ThesaurusesSources for Writing Style, Grammar, and CompositionSources for Analysis and ResearchBriefing-Related SourcesOther Sources Used or Consulted for This BookAbout the authorIndex