Writing an intelligence paper to the CIA Director explaining why Huawei poses a national threat to U.S with their capabilities to cyber attack and steal IP data. Explain with analytical thinking and BLUF format including introduction, Background, Context.
The intelligence report requires analytical thinking and avoids reportorial content. This type of report presents descriptive, concise, and direct explanation of events, interpreting the event’s meaning, offering forward-thinking recommendations, and evaluating the implications of events and actions. In other words, the intelligence report involves an in-depth report with analytical commentary.
An intelligence report differs greatly from any other academic writing you have composed, and the production of a well-written intelligence report requires three "missions": judge, interpret, and support.
Intelligence writing requires analytic thinking; to be analytical, you must identify significant facts for interpretation. Your report, then, must focus on conclusions, be relevant to its intended audience, concentrate on essentials, and avoid prescribing policy.
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): Title embodies full scope of the subject matter and the summary lead (sentence that follows the title in the first paragraph) follows forward from the title (builds on title), completes the analysis, and offers clear road-maps of the report.
FORMAT: 1-2 pages ONLY, single spaced. No title page required. 1 inch margins only.
Title: embodies the summary lead and must attract the reader
Lead Sentence (always in italics): first sentence to follow the title and builds from the title; lead sentence should complete the analysis by offering the road map to the piece
Main Text: The argument: begins with conclusions and explores their implications; your report should ONLY focus on 3 key points with supporting details and explanations.
Specificity: key players, locations, in-depth identifications, threats, drivers, etc
Background/Collateral information (i.e, “contradicts press reports” or “supports press reports”)
Analytic comments for insight: alternatives/opportunities, what’s next, anticipated consequences; focus on the FUTURE with essentials only that provide meaningful characterizations
LANGUAGE: The key element to remember in your writing is to communicate effectively. Keep your language simple yet professional, easily digestible, and within 8th-9th grade reading levels.
AUDIENCE: The “Busy Customer.” Remember the main qualities of your audience: a decision-maker, non-technical expert, pressed for time, the generalist, engaged in the political environment, and wants adjustable and unique information