1. Effective Writing for Army Leaders
SSI Noncommissioned Officer Academy Senior Leaders Course
Effective Writing for Army Leaders

2. POEM I have a spelling checker, It came with my pc.
It plainly marks for my review;
Mistakes i cannot see.
I’ve run this poem through it.
I’m sure you’re pleased to know.
Its letter perfect in its way,
My checker told me so.

3. Learning Objective
Action: Write Effectively Using the Army Writing Program
Condition: Senior FM Leaders in a classroom environment working individually, using academically sound principles, practical exercises, personal experience, handouts, discussion and extracted material from AR and DA Memo
Standard: Writing includes:
1. Elements of the six step writing process.
2. Style that meets Army writing requirements of AR and DA Memo
3. Identification of appropriate usage of active voice.
4. Composition of correspondence with substance that supports the purpose of effective writing. 3

4. Effective Army Writing
“Effective Army writing transmits a clear message in a single, rapid reading, and is generally free of errors in grammar, mechanics, and usage.”
AR 25-50: Preparing and Managing Correspondence
DA PAM : Effective Writing for Army Leaders

5. The Six-Step Writing Process
Step 1 - Understand your writing task and your writing conditions
Step 2 - Gather and organize your ideas
Step 3 - Write a complete draft
Step 4 - Edit your draft ruthlessly
Step 5 - Fight for feedback
Step 6 - Go final and proof it

6. Seven Rules Of The Army Writing Style
Rule 1: Put your main point up front (BLUF)
Rule 2: Write short paragraphs. No more than one inch deep or six lines long
Rule 3: Write short staff papers (one to two pages long)
Rule 4: Use active voice
Rule 5: Use short, conventional words
Rule 6: Write short sentences (about 15 words average)
Rule 7: Be correct, be credible, be complete

7. Types of Army Correspondence & Documents
Memorandum
Letter
OPORD (Operation Order)
SOP (Standing Operating Procedures)
DA and DD Forms

8. The Memorandum Army’s main format for preparing correspondence
Basic or Formal Memorandum
Informal Memorandum 
Memorandum For Record
Memorandum of Agreement (or Understanding)

9. Active / Passive Voice ACTIVE = DOER --- VERB --- RECEIVER
ACTIVE - The subject of the sentence names the actor
ACTIVE = DOER --- VERB --- RECEIVER
All qualifiers will zero their weapons before qualification.
PASSIVE - The subject of the sentence names the receiver of the action.
PASSIVE = RECEIVER ---VERB --- DOER
All weapons will be zeroed before qualification.

10. Active Voice Is More Effective Because …
It is a stronger form of expression because it indicates the agent and shows the action.
It states the action in fewer words.
It prevents confusion about the actor. Use of “I” and “We; the first person takes responsibility for the action.

11. Disadvantages Of Using
Passive Voice
Leaves critical information unstated
Evades responsibility
Increases length

12. How To Recognize The Passive VoiceBE AM IS
ARE
WAS
WERE
BEING
BEEN
PAST PARTICIPLE
ENDING IN –ED OR
–EN
GIVEN
TAKEN
IMPLEMENTED
CONDUCTED
ORDERED

13. How To Correct Passive Voice
1. Put the doer before the verb.
Appropriate clothing will BE WORN by all personnel.
All personnel will wear appropriate clothing.
2. Drop part of the verb.
The Soldier WAS TRANSFERRED to Fort Bragg.
He transferred to Ft Bragg.
3. Change the verb.
Personnel ARE PROHIBITED from smoking during refueling operations.
Personnel must not smoke during refueling.

14. Substance Content must be relevant to the subject
Include all information needed to communicate
Sufficient detail to be understood
Keep audience in mind
Identify and document borrowed ideas or information 14

15. Organization Introduction Into topic, tell why it’s important Purpose
Provides information, guidance, or requests decision
Main Body
Identify main points
Use supporting evidence
Analysis of supporting evidence
Conclusion
Summary, last chance to restate position or convince 15

16. Information Paper Purpose- to provide information
Bottom Line Up Front- BLUF
One page summary
Clear, concise, and logical
a. An information paper provides facts in a clear and concise format (that is, for use in a discussion paper or trip book). The format may be altered to meet a specific need.
b. Include the subject and purpose. Paragraphs will contain only essential facts concerning the subject. Papers will be self explanatory and will not refer to enclosures except for tabular data, chars, or photographs.
c. Papers should not exceed one page in length and need not be signed, but must include the action officer’s name and telephone number in the lower right corner. Type the name of the approval authority below the action officer’s name and number to indicate agency approval by principle, deputy, or director.
d. Avoid using acronyms and abbreviations, except for those that are familiar outside of the Army (e.g., DoD, ARSTAF, etc.)
Figure 19, DA Memo 25-52

17. Closer

18. Practical Exercise
Log on to the following website to complete the Practical Exercise. You have 30 minutes.