Tone & Style
What tone should AARs be written in?
Neutral, factual, professional
What are the standard sections in an AAR?
Summary, Strengths, Improvements, Recommendations
What makes a recommendation actionable?
Specific, assigned, and measurable
Who are AARs written for?
Leadership, partners, planners, responders
What is a frequent mistake in early AAR drafts?
Too much narrative, not enough findings
Why is active voice preferred?
Clearer and more direct
Where should key timelines be placed in an AAR?
Appendices or early in the report
What’s one way to prioritize recommendations?
By impact or feasibility
Why is it important to define acronyms?
For cross-agency readability
Why avoid “we did everything right” language?
It reduces credibility
What should be avoided in AARs to maintain objectivity?
Blame, bias, or finger-pointing
What section outlines what worked well?
Strengths
What should accompany a recommendation to ensure follow-up?
Assigned owner and deadline
Why write in plain language?
Ensures accessibility to all audiences
What issue arises when strengths and gaps aren’t separated?
Confusing or unclear takeaways
Why is clarity important in AAR language?
Ensures understanding across disciplines
Where are ICS forms usually referenced?
Appendices or attached documents
What should be avoided in recommendations?
Vague language or generic goals
What problem arises when using agency-specific jargon?
Excludes outside readers
What’s the danger of poor formatting?
Readers miss key points or become disengaged
What tone issue can lead to defensiveness in readers?
Using judgmental or accusatory phrasing
What section should translate findings into future improvements?
Recommendations or Improvement Plan
What kind of phrasing increases implementation success?
Clear verbs like “Develop,” “Update,” “Train”
How can AARs be made usable by multiple partners?
Clear layout, universal terms, concise summaries
Why must grammar and consistency be reviewed before finalizing?
Professionalism and usability