Authors Aaron Berman

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Aaron Berman
Aaron Berman
@AaronDBerman
I'm recently reminded that the tips I learned editing the President's Daily Brief can help anyone writing on complex issues, like for busy executives, or for random people on Twitter.

So here are they are, with Star Wars examples. These are simple, but hard.🧵

1/n

Here's my list:

1. Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
2. Be simple and format clearly
3. No value-laden language (Twitter users please learn this!)
4. Convey uncertainty clearly
5. Keep a bunch of other stuff in mind too

2/n

1. Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF).

The title (5-7 words) and first sentence (2-3 lines) should have ALL THE INFORMATION to understand the issue and, if needed, make a decision.

3/n

GOOD:

"Death Star Vulnerability Discovered"

"Death Star plans that Princess Leia obtained show it has a fatal flaw, which our X-Wing force is well-positioned to exploit."

This conveys the main point and key opportunity for Rebel leadership.

4/n

NOT GOOD:

"New Information About Death Star"

"Princess Leia sent us the Death Star plans, which will help with our military planning."

This is boring. Rebel leadership won't read the rest of the paper. And then maybe this never happens:

5/n
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Aaron Berman
Aaron Berman
@AaronDBerman
Recently I shared tips I learned writing for and editing the President's Daily Brief, with Star Wars examples. People seemed to appreciate them, so everyone loves a sequel, right?

🧵

1/n

First, here's the original 101 list.

To give proper credit, this is based on training every CIA analyst gets, and on guidance from many, many former mentors and colleagues. It’s similar to journalism, and I use a version in tech


Now here's my 201 list, which will be illustrated with a broader universe of sci fi examples:

6. Write for your customer
7. Use precise language
8. Support your argument
9. Opportunities, recommendations, and predictions

3/n

6. Write for your customer

Write what THEY need to know, not what YOU want to say.

This means you have to:
- Know who you’re writing for
- Know their priorities
- Know what they know
- Time your work smartly

4/n

Say you’re writing about new blasters on TIE fighters for Admiral Ackbar.

- Does he need to know these details, or is one of his commanders a better customer?
- Say Ackbar does need to know, but he's busy trying to destroy the new Death Star. Maybe wait and write later...

5/n
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