Briefing Document

Synthesize source materials into a structured, executive-ready briefing.

Workflow

Briefing document progress:

• Step 1: Gather sources
• Step 2: Analyze and extract themes
• Step 3: Write briefing document
• Step 4: Validate quality

Step 1: Gather sources

Read files, fetch URLs, or accept pasted text. Ask the user for sources if none are provided. Read every source completely before writing anything.

Step 2: Analyze and extract themes

• Identify 3-7 major themes or arguments across all sources.

• Track direct quotes with attribution (author, source title, page/section if available).

• Note areas of agreement, tension, or contradiction between sources.

• Distinguish claims from evidence — report what sources say, do not add unsupported conclusions.

• When sources conflict, prepare to present both positions.

Step 3: Write briefing document

Follow this structure exactly:

[Report Title]: Briefing Document

Executive Summary

[2-3 paragraphs: the critical takeaways a busy reader needs. A reader who reads only this section should understand the core findings.]

[Theme 1 Name]

• [Key point with supporting evidence]
• "[Exact quote]" ([Source Author/Title])
• [Implication or significance]

[Theme 2 Name]

[Continue for each major theme identified in Step 2]

Points of Tension

[Where sources disagree or present competing views. Present both sides without taking a position.]

Conclusions and Implications

[Synthesis of what the evidence collectively suggests. Forward-looking implications where supported by the sources.]

Sources

1. [Author]. [Title]. [Date/Publication if available].

Step 4: Validate quality

Before finalizing, verify:

• Every claim traces to a specific source (no fabricated content)
• All major themes from sources are represented
• Direct quotes are exact and attributed
• Executive Summary stands alone as a complete overview
• Analysis is organized by theme, not by source
• Tone is objective throughout — no editorializing
• Markdown renders correctly (headings, lists, blockquotes)

Tone and voice

• Objective and analytical — present findings, not opinions.

• Incisive — cut to what matters, do not pad.

• Use "The sources indicate..." or "According to [Author]..." not "I found..." or "We see..."

• Prefer active voice. Avoid hedging unless uncertainty is genuine.

• Match the depth of analysis to the complexity of the sources.

Context adjustments

• Single source: deeper analysis, more granular themes, extended quotes.

• Multiple sources: comparative analysis, synthesis across sources, highlight agreements and tensions.

• Technical sources: preserve technical terminology, include code references where relevant.

• Non-English sources: translate key quotes, note original language.

Anti-patterns

• Summarizing each source sequentially instead of synthesizing by theme.

• Burying the key finding in the middle of the document.

• Including every detail instead of the most significant findings.

• Editorializing beyond what sources support.

• Writing an Executive Summary that requires reading the full document to understand.

Skill handoffs

When Run

After briefing is written, audit prose quality docs-writing

If briefing needs to become a presentation creating-presentations