Guidelines for effective writing are provided by John J. Callahan Jr., formerly of the FBI. Using a research report on alcohol as an example, the speaker suggests guidelines for preparing, writing, and revising the report. The importance of making an outline, using brief, factual sentences in logical order, and rereading in order to look for flaws is emphasized. Additional aids such as higher education courses and magazine and newspaper reading are suggested. A question-and-answer period includes the topics of report standardization, the release of reports to the public, the use of a report as court evidence, and the use of profanity in police reports.