Writing Strategy

Writing Strategy Effective Bullet Points C/Corallo C/Dancer C/Nicholls C/Warren AFROTC DET 025 FLYING DEVILS

Overview • Importance • What is a bullet statement? • Elements of A-I bullets • Rules • Tips • Quiz

IMPORTANCE • Impacts career • Used for performance reports (for yourself and others)

What is a bullet statement? • Definition: brief bottom line of an idea Ex.) talking paper (single idea bullet) • Accomplish (action) and impact • Ex.) EPRs, OPRs, award packages (Form 1206)

2 Elements A-I Bullet • Accomplishment • What did the person do? (performance, leadership, and management) How well? What was the result? (resources, effectiveness, efficiency) • Impact • What level was impacted? (unit, wing, AF) • Why was accomplishment important?

Rules • Minimize white space, but don’t use fluff • Bullets don’t have periods “.” • Use “!” sparingly • Indicate pause using: Double dash – Ellipsis … Semicolon ;

Rules • Avoid: Articles- a, an, the Conjunctions- and, but, or Pronouns- he, she, him, her • Avoid: Negative words: isn’t can’t

Tips • Use hard-hitting facts, actions and phrases • Be enthusiastic • Use common terms • Avoid job-specific jargon • Avoid passive words Ex.) was, were, gave, have

Tips • Verbs: Instead ofSay Started pioneered, initiated Led spearheaded, piloted Spoke briefed, presented

Tips • Explaining how a task was accomplished: expertly selflessly flawlessly strategically

Tips • Describing the worker Motivated Dynamic Visionary Proactive Versatile

Last Bullet • Finish strong • Recommend for promotion

QUIZ TIME!

1) What is a bullet statement? • Documentation used as a guideline to gauge personnel performance briefly and concisely. • Statements produced by using high velocity projectiles. • A memorandum for record concerning personnel feedback.

2) Which are two examples of what not to do in a bullet statement? (select two) • Use abbreviations and symbols frequently. (i.e. “FYI, at FT, C/Snuffy’s PFA score was a 100!”) • Use descriptive concise phrases. • Include a period at the end of each bullet.

3) When is a bullet statement used? • When writing MFRs. • During OPRs, EPRs and award packages. • When the Fall foliage begins.

4) Which of the following is an example of a good verb to use for bullet statements? • Spoke • Started • Spearheaded

5) Which of the following is not a good tip for proper bullet statements? • Use “!” sparingly to retain their impact. • Avoid articles, pronouns, and conjunctions – a, an, the, he, she, and, but, etc. • Chuck Norris’ tears can cure cancer… too bad he never cries.

Summary • Importance • What is a bullet statement? • Elements of A-I bullets • Rules • Tips • Quiz

Questions? AF ROTC DET 025 FLYING DEVILS

Writing Strategy