CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCECommon Curriculum Development Division

Mid-Grade Learning Continuum (MLC) for Captains Career CoursesCommon Core

L100: Leadership

Student Advance Sheet for Lesson: L160Leader Communication (Writing)

Block Author: MAJ Joshua A Smith joshua.a.smith213.mil@mail.mil Co-Block Author: Rose Burds rose.m.burds.civ@mail.mil Date Edited: 27 February 2017

1. SCOPE

This lesson supports MLC Common Core Course TLO: 701-MLC-3060: "Communicate Effectively," as listed on the Module Advance Sheet. There are three:ELO: 701-MLC-3060.01ELO: 701-MLC-3060.02ELO: 701-MLC-3060.03

This three-hour lesson’s focus is on ELO: 701-MLC-3060.01, the foundation for the techniques and standards students are required to use in demonstrating effective writing skills. The goal of this lesson is to demonstrate effective writing by applying Army Standards to common writing products. The first hour focuses on communication; specifically effective writing skills and standards for effective communication. The discussion of effective communication will examine specific criteria−substance, organization, style, and correctness−used to guide and assess your written communications throughout the CCC curriculum. The second hour introduces you to a variety of common writing products that as a Captain, you will be expected to fill out at a higher level of rigor. The second hour focuses on the writing process, relation between the four fundamentals of writing to the writing process, and introduces a variety of common writing products that Captains are expected to fill out at a higher level of rigor. The third hour focuses on the application of these standards to common written products, an Information paper and an Argumentative essay. Using a combination of selected readings, guided class discussions, and experiences, this part of the lesson aims to get you thinking about implementing effective communication into your writings.

While the title of Leader Communication (Writing) lends itself to a conceptual discussion, developing a good written product, easily understood by the reader, is hard. Even the best writers struggle at times with one or more of the standards for effective communication. This lesson covers basic concepts normally taught at the undergraduate level. It does not pretend to provide a comprehensive review of every aspect of the writing process necessary for success at the CCC, much less success as a company grade officer.

L160 AS- 1

The apply portion of the lesson includes an Information Paper and some check on learning activities that require the construct of common written products. The Information Paper addresses how the Army meets the requirements of a profession. It should be one page in length and be written in accordance with the Army writing style following the guidance in ST 22-2, worth 20 points, due three days following this lesson. The argumentative essay paper must be two to three pages, written IAW the Army writing style, and follow the guidance in ST 22-2. It is worth 50 points. References should follow the guidance in A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertation: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, by Kate Turabian, and the guidance in ST 22-2. Due six days following this lesson.

At the end of the lesson, you should understand the standards for the techniques and methods you will use in demonstrating effective writing skills. You should recognize the value of utilizing critical communication skills to be a good leader, the four standards for writing and constructing common writing products. If you adapt these powerful intellectual tools into your professional life, over time, your ability or skill to present and transition your ideas and guidance in a logical thought process will improve.

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVEThis lesson supports MLC Common Core Course TLO: 701-MLC-3060, “Communicate Effectively,” as listed on the Module Advance Sheet.

ELO: 701-MLC-3060.01Action: Apply effective writing to common writing products.Condition: Given a classroom environment, student preparation, instructor notes, doctrine, and access to online resources. Standard: Application includes –

1. Communication Skills for Leadersa. The Army Standard for Communicationsb. Principles of Good Writing

2. The fundamentals of writinga. Substanceb. Stylec. Organizationd. Correctness

3. The steps in the writing process4. Relating the fundamentals of writing to the writing process5. Construction of common writing products

a. Information Paperb. Awards and Evaluationsc. Counselingd. Argumentative Essay

Learning Domain: CognitiveLevel of Learning: Application

3. ASSIGNED STUDENT READINGS: Prior to class read: [79 minutes of reading]

L160 AS- 2

1. ST 22-2 (March 2016) Writing and Speaking Skills for Army Leaders. Chapter 1, (5 pages) [9 minutes to read] Read to gain an understanding of the army

writing style Chapter 2, (24 pages) [28 minutes to read] Read to gain an understanding of writing

expectations Appendix A (5 pages) [9 minutes to read] Read to gain an understanding of style,

academic writing, and reference citation2. AR 25-50 (May 2013), Preparing and Managing Correspondence

Ch 1, Section IV, (1 page) [2 minutes to read] Read to gain an understanding of standards for Army writing

3. TR 1-11 (26 Aug 2015) Staff Procedures Ch 3-5/3-9, (8 pages) [8 minutes to read] Read to gain an understanding of standards

for Point Paper, Executive Summary, Information Papers, and Position Paper.4. Hints and Helpful Guidance for the Army Writer (Dec. 19, 2013)

Writing Guide #1-3 (3 pages) [3 minutes to read] U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/wocc/WritingGuide.asp

5. Effective Writing for Army Leaders article from the Military Review [20 mins to read]. Click the hyperlink or access .pdf on SP site : Military Review Article

This article is reprinted with the permission of Military Review, the Professional Journal of the US Army, Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. It was originally published in the Sep/Oct 2015 issue of Military Review

Come to class prepared to discuss the following:

1. How would you use the writing process to prepare Army products?2. Why is it important to understand the Army writing style and standards?3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Army writing style?4. How would you use L130 Thinking Critically and creatively in your writing? (Military Review article)

5. ASSESSMENT PLAN

See Appendix A to this advance sheet for information.

6. LIST OF APPENDIXES

Appendix A, Assessment Plan/ Writing RequirementsAppendix B, Informative Paper Format ExampleAppendix C, OER Concrete ExperienceAppendix D, Position Paper Format ExampleAppendix E, Point Paper Format ExampleAppendix F, Executive Summary Format ExampleAppendix G, Developmental Counseling Form DA FORM 4856

L160 AS- 3

CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCECommon Curriculum Development Division

Mid-Grade Learning Continuum (MLC) for Captains Career CoursesCommon Core

L100: Leadership

Lesson Plan for Lesson: L160Leader Communication (Writing)

Appendix AAssessment Plan

Contribution to Learning:

This lesson is assessed in accordance with the L100 Block Advance sheet based on your contribution to learning.

L160 Writing Requirements:

First Assignment:

When delivering information as a staff officer, you are expected to gather relevant information from subject matter experts, select the most important parts, arrange them in a clear and concise manner and provide the information to your audience in writing. Your audience generally includes both commanding officers and senior staff officers. You also may be expected to expand on the provided written information. Keep in mind, “cutting and pasting” is not enough here. Your superior officers will evaluate you on how effectively you communicate the information. Commanders and senior staff officers rely on products like information papers to quickly gather information when planning and making decisions. Information papers, in general, should be short because their purpose is to provide relevant facts in a clear and concise manner.

Your battalion commander plans to conduct an Officer Professional Development session on what it means to be an Army professional. He wants you to write an information paper summarizing the key points of ADRP 1 (The Army Profession). Refer to TR 1-11 on the information paper format (Appendix B). This information paper must be at least one page and not more than two, and written in accordance with the Army writing style following the guidance in ST 22-2.

The purpose of this requirement is to assess your ability to communicate effectively as a leader. The writing requirement will be assigned at the completion of the two hour information portion of the lesson, and will be turned in three days following this lesson. A rubric (MLC form 1009W) and is provided to assess the product. The Information Paper assignment is worth 20 points and due three days following this lesson.

Second Assignment: Your instructor will assign you a requirement to write an argumentative essay. Your instructor will assign a topic or give you the opportunity to choose one of the following topics:

L160 AS- 4

1) Defend which chapter of ADRP 1, The Army Profession, you think is the most important with respect to the duty positions and responsibilities of a Captain in the United States Army. Read ADRP 1 The Army Profession, dtd June 2015.

2) Identify three challenges (or gaps) in the Civilian-Military relationship and what can be done to address (close the gap)? Read The Silent Crisis http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/the-silent-crisis/ by Gregory D. Foster dtd 1 Aug 2007.

The paper much be at least two pages, written IAW the Army writing style, and follow the guidance in ST 22-2. References should follow the guidance in Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertation: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, by Kate Turabian, and the guidance in ST 22-2. This assignment is worth 50 points. Due six days following this lesson.

L160 AS- 5

CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCECommon Curriculum Development Division

Mid-Grade Learning Continuum (MLC) for Captains Career CoursesCommon Core

L100: Leadership

Lesson Plan for Lesson: 150-L160Leader Communication (Writing)

Appendix BInformation Paper Example

L160 AS- 6

CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCECommon Curriculum Development Division

Mid-Grade Learning Continuum (MLC) for Captains Career CoursesCommon Core

L100: Leadership

Lesson Plan for Lesson: 150-L160Leader Communication (Writing)

Appendix CConcrete Experience

L160 AS- 7

L160 AS- 8

L160 AS- 9

CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCECommon Curriculum Development Division

Mid-Grade Learning Continuum (MLC) for Captains Career CoursesCommon Core

L100: Leadership

Lesson Plan for Lesson: 150-L160Leader Communication (Writing)

Appendix DPosition Paper Example

L160 AS- 10

CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCECommon Curriculum Development Division

Mid-Grade Learning Continuum (MLC) for Captains Career CoursesCommon Core

L100: Leadership

Lesson Plan for Lesson: 150-L160Leader Communication (Writing)

Appendix EPoint Paper Example

L160 AS- 11

CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCECommon Curriculum Development Division

Mid-Grade Learning Continuum (MLC) for Captains Career CoursesCommon Core

L100: Leadership

Lesson Plan for Lesson: 150-L160Leader Communication (Writing)

Appendix FExecutive Summary Example

L160 AS- 12

CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCECommon Curriculum Development Division

Mid-Grade Learning Continuum (MLC) for Captains Career CoursesCommon Core

L100: Leadership

Lesson Plan for Lesson: 150-L160Leader Communication (Writing)

Appendix GDevelopmental Counseling Form DA FORM 4856

L160 AS- 13

L160 AS- 14

L160 AS- 15