Briefing Document

Workflow

Briefing document progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Gather sources
- [ ] Step 2: Analyze and extract themes
- [ ] Step 3: Write briefing document
- [ ] Step 4: Validate quality

Step 1: Gather sources

Step 2: Analyze and extract themes

• Identify 3-7 major themes or arguments across all sources.
• Track direct quotes with attribution (author, source title, page/section if available).
• Note areas of agreement, tension, or contradiction between sources.
• Distinguish claims from evidence — report what sources say, do not add unsupported conclusions.
• When sources conflict, prepare to present both positions.

Step 3: Write briefing document

# [Report Title]: Briefing Document

## Executive Summary

[2-3 paragraphs: the critical takeaways a busy reader needs. A reader
who reads only this section should understand the core findings.]

## [Theme 1 Name]

- [Key point with supporting evidence]
- "[Exact quote]" ([Source Author/Title])
- [Implication or significance]

## [Theme 2 Name]

[Continue for each major theme identified in Step 2]

## Points of Tension

[Where sources disagree or present competing views. Present both sides
without taking a position.]

## Conclusions and Implications

[Synthesis of what the evidence collectively suggests. Forward-looking
implications where supported by the sources.]

## Sources

1. [Author]. [Title]. [Date/Publication if available].

Step 4: Validate quality

Before finalizing, verify:
- [ ] Every claim traces to a specific source (no fabricated content)
- [ ] All major themes from sources are represented
- [ ] Direct quotes are exact and attributed
- [ ] Executive Summary stands alone as a complete overview
- [ ] Analysis is organized by theme, not by source
- [ ] Tone is objective throughout — no editorializing
- [ ] Markdown renders correctly (headings, lists, blockquotes)

Tone and voice

• Objective and analytical — present findings, not opinions.
• Incisive — cut to what matters, do not pad.
• Use "The sources indicate..." or "According to [Author]..." not "I found..." or "We see..."
• Prefer active voice. Avoid hedging unless uncertainty is genuine.
• Match the depth of analysis to the complexity of the sources.

Context adjustments

• Single source: deeper analysis, more granular themes, extended quotes.
• Multiple sources: comparative analysis, synthesis across sources, highlight agreements and tensions.
• Technical sources: preserve technical terminology, include code references where relevant.
• Non-English sources: translate key quotes, note original language.

Anti-patterns

• Summarizing each source sequentially instead of synthesizing by theme.
• Burying the key finding in the middle of the document.
• Including every detail instead of the most significant findings.
• Editorializing beyond what sources support.
• Writing an Executive Summary that requires reading the full document to understand.

Skill handoffs

docs-writing

creating-presentations