Choose an intelligence analytic style of writing—look at the samples National Intelligence Estimate (NIE). Or, students may prefer a more traditional academic writing style. A third possible approach is for students to prepare the paper as if writing for the president or some other key national security policy-maker. This latter approach could include the student making a policy recommendation. Possible components:
Describe the current situation.
Hone in on key issues for the national security policymaker.
Sources cited consistently
Sound structure
Accurate
Adhere to page limit (especially important)
Clear, concise, and accurate presentation of the facts (key); avoid unnecessary duplication.
Final assessment, scoping all the research
Ability to draft serious thoughts in page limit.
Sources, not in terms of quantity, but in terms of quality.
Well-balanced, logical thought