Written Communication and Reading Comprehension
Written Communication and Reading Comprehension tests whether a lieutenant can read a directive accurately and write a clear, usable document. The exam favors short memos, report narratives, and questions that turn on a single word in an order.
Writing standards
- State the purpose in the first sentence.
- Put the action in the active voice: "Sergeant Jones will assign..." not "It will be arranged..."
- Use chronology and concrete nouns.
- Separate fact from opinion; label conclusions.
- Close with the required action, suspense date, and point of contact.
Reading directives
- Read the effective date, rescission, and applicability.
- Identify who must act, what form is required, and what notification is triggered.
- Distinguish "shall" from "may" and "should."
Worked example: A lieutenant must write a memo directing sergeants to verify that officers have signed for a new Interim Order. A weak version says: "It is requested that consideration be given to ensuring signatures are obtained." A strong version says: "Each sergeant will verify at roll call by Friday that every officer in his squad has signed the Interim Order. Sergeants will report completion to the lieutenant in writing by 1600 hours." The second states who, what, when, and how.
Traps
- Burying the action in the last paragraph.
- Using "approximately" when a time is required.
- Treating a recommendation as a directive.
- Missing the rescission in a new order.
- Writing a narrative that argues instead of reports.