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CHAPTER 16:

Air Force “Papers”

This chapter covers:

• Form and Function

• Point Paper

• Talking Paper (TP)

• Bullet Background Paper (BBP)

• Background Paper

• Position Paper

The Air Force uses written products (“papers”) in many forms for everyday staff work to serve a
variety of functions. The functions they serve are not unique to the Air Force, but the format of a
talking paper from one Air Force unit to the next should be the same. The goal of this chapter is
to clarify and set the Air Force standards for these papers. These standards apply to the young
and old alike: check your work to ensure your papers meet the format standard while also
answering the mail for the task requiring the paper in the first place. The sample papers in this
chapter contain the guidance for how to build each paper, respectively. For example, the point
paper sample is about writing a point paper. It contains guidance in the narrative on how to write
a point paper as well as a visual example of a finished point paper.

Form and Function

Where possible, the papers use the same or similar formats; however, there are key differences
since these papers all serve different functions, much like traffic signs can have similar
characteristics but serve different functions. For example, “STOP” and “YIELD” signs are both
red to alert us to an intersection but the shape and the text are different: drivers are expected to
act differently at a STOP sign then they are at a YIELD sign. The same concept holds true for
Air Force documents: the format supports the function. Know the different functions of Air
Force documents and use the right paper for the task.

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Plan your work

The text of your written products will be better if you build it with a plan, such as the seven steps
to effective communication presented in chapters 2 through 7. With good source materials you
can build your content as either bullet statements (bullets) for the point paper, talking paper and
bullet background paper; or as narrative for the other papers. Building better bullets (or
sentences) requires discipline and following a few fundamental rules (see chapter 19 for details).

The ABS of bullets

First, all bullet statements must be accurate, brief and specific (ABS). Because there is very little
text in a bullet, the text used must be unequivocal (accurate) while being as short as possible
(brief) to convey a tightly-focused (specific) point. Second, use the correct type of bullet for the
desired purpose–the single idea bullet or the accomplishment-impact bullet.

Single Idea Bullets

A single idea bullet is a concisely written statement of a single idea or concept. Single idea
bullets have exactly one idea in the bullet and the bullet serves a specific purpose. Single idea
bullets are commonly used in Point Papers and Talking Papers. They may also be used in Bullet
Background Papers; however, the bullets in Bullet Background Papers frequently have more
content within the bullet to support the single idea. See the example papers later in this chapter.

Accomplishment-Impact Bullets

An accomplishment-impact bullet is a concisely written statement of a person’s single
accomplishment and its impact on the unit’s mission, operations or other related tasks.
Accomplishment-impact bullets are typically used in performance reports, recommendations and
award submissions to describe someone’s work performance or noteworthy off-duty pursuits.
However, an accomplishment-impact bullet may be appropriate for the written products
described in chapter 16, depending on the purpose and audience. As the name implies,
accomplishment-impact bullets contain a clear statement of a single accomplishment that had an
impact on the mission, operations or other related tasks. The impact can be implied or specified
and should be clear to all readers. Specific impacts should place the accomplishment into
perspective (large or small).

1. The Accomplishment Element: Briefly describes the person’s actions or behavior.

a. What did the person (or group) do?

b. What was the success (or, less often, the failure)?

2. The Impact Element: Describes the results of the accomplishment and it may be either
expressly stated or implied. The impact element is vital to describing the relative
importance of the action.

a. What is the impact on the mission (squadron, group, wing, command, Air Force)?

b. Is this impact statement accurate in scope and strength?

c. Does it put things into perspective?

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Form and Function Quick Reference Table

Form Function

Point Paper
• Single issue
• Single page
• Bullets or phrases
• Minimal data

Memory jogger: minimal text outline of a single issue to
quickly inform others extemporaneously (no-notice)

• Conveys a single, narrow message in a very short time,
such as with an “elevator speech”

• Give the same short message many times
• Requires prior research and content memorization

Talking Paper (TP)
• Single issue
• Single page
• Bullets or phrases
• Key reference data

Speaking notes: outlines and narrates a single issue to
inform others during planned/scheduled oral presentations

• Serves as a quick reference on key points, facts,
positions

• Addresses frequently asked questions
• Can stand alone for basic understanding of the issue

Bullet Background Paper (BBP)
• Single issue or several related

issues and impact
• Single or multi-page
• Bullet statements

Background of a program, policy, problem or procedure;
may be a single issue or combination of several related
issues

• Concise chronology of program, policy, problem, etc.
• Summarizes an attached staff package
• Explains or details an attached talking paper

Background Paper
• Single issue or several related

issues and impact
• Multi-page
• Full sentences, details
• Numbered paragraphs

Multipurpose staff communications instrument to express
ideas or describe conditions that require a particular staff
action

• Detailed chronology of program, policy, problem, etc.
• Condenses and summarizes complex issues
• Provides background research for oral presentations or

staff discussions; informs decision makers with details

Position Paper
• Single issue or several related

issues and impact
• Multi-page
• Full sentences, details
• Numbered paragraphs

Working with proposals for new program, policy, or
procedure, or plan for working a problem

• Circulate a proposal to generate interest
(initiate the idea)

• Evaluate a proposal (respond to another’s idea)
• Advocate a position on a proposal to decision makers

Staff Study
• Single issue or several related

issues and impact
• Multi-page research paper
• Detailed discussion with

conclusion & recommendations
• Format varies to meet need

Analyze a clearly defined problem, identify conclusions,
and make recommendations

• Assist decision makers and leaders in leading
• Research to inform and recommend change
• A problem-solving thought process in written form

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Point Paper

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Talking Paper

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Bullet Background Paper

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Background Paper

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Position Paper