Intelligence Briefings
The purpose of the Intelligence Briefing assignments is for you to deepen your understanding of particular concepts by conducting individual research, synthesizing it, and constructing a brief PowerPoint (PPT) that succinctly summarizes your topic and findings.
General Instructions
Follow these instructions for all Intelligence Briefings (unless required otherwise in under Specific Instructions):
· Select a topic that is responsive to the Specific Instructions for the Intelligence Briefing in question.
· Create a PowerPoint presentation.
· Make at least one point per slide
· Each slide is to have an original point
· Each slide’s title must be original, reflecting the original points being made in that slide.
· Text should consist of key words and phrases—not complete sentences or paragraphs.
· The “Notes” field is where you put your complete sentences and paragraphs, which is your narrative.
· Your slides are where you put key words and phrases to help your audience follow along with what you are saying.
· Remember, a PPT is a visual aid; you are supposed to be the star of a presentation, not your PPT.
· Briefings should focus on the current controversies surrounding the selected topic and should provide statistics documenting the nature and extent of the crime problem.
· Answer these questions in your briefing: what, who, where, when, how, and why?
· Incorporate at least 3 credible, relevant, and (unless otherwise specified) current sources.
· Use (a) APA Style in-text citations or(b) endnotes to indicate any words or ideas from a source other than you.
· Briefings should contain 8–15 content slides.
· Start with a title slide with the presentation name, your name, and the occasion.
· Create your own title that reflects the essence of your PPT
· Do not use the name of the Intelligence Briefing in the Schedule/Specific Instructions
· Do not use “Intelligence Briefing”
· Continue with a content slide that contains an overview of the rest of the PPT.
· Use section slides if you have a couple clearly sections, perhaps “Nature and Extent of the Problem” and “Explaining and Preventing the Problem.”
· Try to use a variety of content slide formats.
· Your second-to-last slide is to be a References slide in the same format as your in-text citations (e.g., APA).
· The last slide should ask the “audience” if there are any questions and provide your contact information.
· Include a blend of relevant text, statistics, and graphics.
· Provide your talking points in the “Notes” field of the PPT. Your talking points should make clear what the point of each slide and how each slide relates to the overall presentation.
· Submit a single “.ppt” or “.pptx” file per group, with all group members’ names and contact information
Appendix A of this document shows you how to get started using PowerPoint.
Grading
Intelligence Briefings will be graded 0–100% in terms of the following, with 100 points equally 100%:
· 40 points = Accuracy, relevance, and logical integration and synthesis of credible evidence;
· 30 points = Sufficient slides, talking points, sources, statistics, and graphics;
· 20 points = Conformity to the Specific Instructions and “Effective Army Briefings” and RAND readings; and
· 10 points = Conformity to other assignment requirements listed here as well as proper submission.
Specific Instructions
Each Intelligence Briefing has a general topic within with you must work to select a specific topic that will allow you to address directly that Intelligence Briefing’s objectives and requirements.