Writing a Briefing Paper –

Guidelines and

Research Methods

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A Briefing Paper…

is clearly structured

presents information about an investigation

provides the reader with information that can be used to make decisions

and take further action

specific parts of that information are easily located by the reader.

How do I write a Briefing Paper?

A Briefing Paper writing differs from essay writing because it has a

different purpose - Briefing Papers are common communication tools

as they assist in the decision making process. Written for a particular

purpose, they usually outline a problem, provide the relevant facts and

ideas relate to the situation, and then recommend a course of action.

Briefing Papers are highly structured so that information they contain

can be easily understood.

Headings within the Briefing Paper allow the reader to select the parts

they wish to read. Headings also enable each section of the Briefing

Paper to stand-alone. The structure of a Briefing Paper is enhanced

through the use of subheadings, diagrams, tables, graphs, illustrations

etc.

Stages in Briefing Paper Writing

1. Clarify the purpose of the Briefing Paper

2. Carry out all necessary research (secondary and primary)

3. Plan the structure and content of the Briefing Paper

4. Write the Briefing Paper

5. Review, revise and complete the Briefing Paper

Follow the brief…

Use appropriate vocabulary and degree of technical detail

Provide evidence to support your analysis, conclusions and recommendations

Present your Briefing Paper to meet required standards and conventions

Use relevant information

Distinguish between fact and opinion

Support and substantiate opinion with evidence

Corroborate facts by indicating the source and status of the information via

references

The Main Elements of a Briefing PaperBriefing Papers should be presented as follows:

title page and terms of reference (who is the Briefing Paper for)

introduction main body of information/findings conclusions, as appropriate recommendations references acknowledgements appendices

Introduction

Your (brief) introduction gives the background to the Briefing

Paper topic and should ‘set the scene’ - why is it needed? Why

is it important

The Main Body of Information/Findings Presents and analyses the information and evidence

Provides arguments and proposes solutions to an identified problem,

providing a range of available options or recommending a particular course

of action

All points made must be supported by evidence, to illustrate and justify your

findings (using appropriate referenced, published sources)

Sub-headings may be used

In Briefing Papers, unlike essays, the use of bullet points to present

information is acceptable

Use of graphics in order to present material quickly and clearly is

encouraged

Conclusions

The conclusion to a Briefing Paper should not be used to

introduce new information. Its purpose is to: summarise the information from the main body of the Briefing Paper;

emphasise the significance and implications of this information

Recommendations

Recommendations should be stated briefly and clearly

Recommendations are drawn from your conclusions - your

recommendations outline the specific actions that are required.

When detailing your recommendations you may also need to consider

who will action them; how they will be measured; and the timeframe for

the recommendations. The priority that you place on each

recommendation may also be required

Where more than one recommendation is given then each should be

separated, preferably numbered and be seen as an outcome of the

analysis which has produced them.

Presentation

A significant aspect of any Briefing Paper is the way it is presented.

Structure should be as outlined above, and may be divided and

subdivided by:

Section headings, delineating and identifying the main areas of the

Briefing Paper

Sub-headings, breaking down the main areas into sub-sections

Use of shorter paragraphs than essays

Use of bullet points when (and only when) you need a list of facts or a

series of factors.

Briefing Papers should still follow conventional rules of grammar,

syntax and punctuation (in other words, academic writing!) and APA

referencing

Break for 10 minutes* We will be doing some interactive Work for this next session so although its looooong it will be

fun it is experiential learning.