The Tongue and Quill

The Tongue and Quill

AFH 33-337

1 AUGUST 2004

Communication is an essential tool for the twenty-first century Air Force

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE HANDBOOK 33-337 1 AUGUST 2004

Communications and Information

THE TONGUE AND QUILL

COMMUNICATING IS A

POWERFUL TOOL FOR THE

TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

AIR FORCE

The Tongue and Quill is dedicated to every man and woman in today's Air Force who will ever sling ink at paper, pound a keyboard, give a briefing, or staff a package to support the mission. Currently, The Tongue and Quill is widely used by Air Force military and civilian members, professional military school educators and students, and civilian corporations around the United States.

As United States Air Force employees, it is important we communicate clearly and effectively to carry out our mission. This handbook together with AFMAN 33-326, Preparing Official Communications, will provide the necessary information to ensure clear communications-- written or spoken. The use of the name or mark of any specific manufacturer, commercial product, commodity, or service in this publication does not imply endorsement by the Air Force

To all you enthusiastic users worldwide, keep up the good fight!

SUMMARY OF REVISIONS

This revision improved organization; rearranged layout; updated quotes, art and word lists; and added material on preparing to write and speak, writing with focus, communicating to persuade, research, meetings, briefings and listening; updated information on electronic communication and e-mail, and added information on Air Force writing products such as awards, decorations and performance reports.

Supersedes AFH 33-337, 30 June 1997. OPR: ACSC/DEOP (Mrs. Sharon McBride)

Certified by: ACSC/DEO (Lt Col Bart Kessler) Pages: 378 /Distribution F

Acknowledgements

The Tongue and Quill has been a valued Air Force resource for decades, and many people have contributed their talents to various editions over the years. I'd like to acknowledge the efforts of several personnel who overhauled chapters in this edition, including Lt Colonel Kimberly Demoret (Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, and 11), Lt Colonel Janelle Costa (Chapter 7), Major Jane Palmisano (Chapters 3, 6, 8, 10, and 13), Major Keith Tonnies (Chapter 9), Major Marci Watkins (Appendix 2), and Major Kathy Dowdy (Appendix 3). Ms. Stephanie Rollins provided technical inputs for Chapter 4 and compiled its extensive list of Internet sources. Also, MSgt Douglas McCarty who provided the accomplishment-impact bullets for the Bullet Background Paper and the Performance Report. I would also like to thank Lt Col Demoret for her support during the planning, integration and editing processes.

? Sharon McBride, Tongue and Quill OPR

THE CONTENTS

PART I: COMMUNICATON BASICS ................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: A Basic Philosophy of Communication............................................................................... 3 Chapter 2: Seven Steps to Effective Communication: An Overview................................................... 9

PART II: PREPARING TO WRITE AND SPEAK ............................................................................. 15 Chapter 3: Analyzing Purpose and Audience...................................................................................... 17 Chapter 4: Researching Your Topic .................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 5: Supporting Your Ideas....................................................................................................... 41 Chapter 6: Organizing and Outlining Your Thoughts......................................................................... 55

PART III: WRITING WITH FOCUS ................................................................................................... 63 Chapter 7: Writing Your Draft ............................................................................................................ 65 Chapter 8: Editing Your Draft............................................................................................................. 91 Chapter 9: Fighting for Feedback and Getting Approval .................................................................. 105

PART IV: FACE-TO-FACE: SPEAKING AND LISTENING ....................................................... 113 Chapter 10: Air Force Speaking ........................................................................................................ 115 Chapter 11: Effective Listening Strategies........................................................................................ 131

PART V: WORKPLACE CHALLENGES ......................................................................................... 141 Chapter 12: Electronic Communication ............................................................................................ 143 Chapter 13: Meetings ........................................................................................................................ 155

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