Reference & AI

AFH 33-337

Air Force

THE TONGUE AND QUILL

Reviewed by Guilherme Correia, active-duty U.S. Air Force

AFH 33-337, "THE TONGUE AND QUILL", is a Department of the Air Force publication, dated May 27, 2015, certified current July 27, 2016.

Published

May 27, 2015

certified current July 27, 2016

OPR

SAF/AA

Headquarters, Department of the Air Force

Official document

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AFH 33-337 — index record

NumberAFH 33-337
TitleTHE TONGUE AND QUILL
PublishedMay 27, 2015
Certified currentJuly 27, 2016
Office of primary responsibilitySAF/AA
Issued byHeadquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the indexCurrent
Last index actionIC, January 27, 2025
Source indexAir Force e-Publishing
Index last readOctober 20, 2026

Copied from Air Force e-Publishing (index). The publication itself is the authority; this page does not summarize or interpret it. Verify the current edition on the index before acting.

From the publication itself

Text below is lifted mechanically from the official PDF (370 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.

Purpose, in the publication’s words

of this communication: to direct. 2. An aircraft technician (the sender); reports the results of an aircraft engine inspection (the message); to his supervisor (the audience). Purpose of this communication: to inform. 3. A branch chief (the sender); requests additional funding for new office furniture (the message); in a meeting with the division chief (the audience). Purpose of this communication: to persuade. Most communication outside the Air Force falls in these categories as well. If you look carefully, you can see the efforts to inform, direct, persuade or inspire in this common conversation. Can you spot the purpose of each of the following sentences? “You didn’t wash the car like you promised.” “But Dad! Everyone else is going to the beach. Why can’t I go?” “Son, I know you’re a fine young man and fine young men keep their promises.” “Aw, Dad…” “Wash the car NOW!”

Summary of changes, as printed

This edition has been substantially revised to 1) standardize the format and layout for readability; 2) improve the organization of chapters and content within each chapter; 3) provide additional material on preparing to write and speak, writing with focus, communicating to persuade, research, meetings, briefings and listening; 4) clarify guidance for Air Force written products with formatted examples for each product; and 5) update guidance for electronic communications. A margin bar (|) indicates newly revised material The Tongue and Quill

Contents

  1. PART I: COMMUNICATION BASICSp. 1
  2. CHAPTER 1: A Basic Philosophy of Communicationp. 3
  3. CHAPTER 2: Seven Steps to Effective Communication (Overview)p. 8
  4. PART II: PREPARING TO WRITE AND SPEAKp. 14
  5. CHAPTER 3: Step 1 (Analyze Purpose and Audience)p. 15
  6. CHAPTER 4: Step 2 (Research Your Topic)p. 23
  7. CHAPTER 5: Step 3 (Support Your Ideas)p. 41
  8. CHAPTER 6: Step 4 (Organize and Outline)p. 53
  9. PART III: WRITING WITH FOCUSp. 63
  10. CHAPTER 7: Step 5 (Draft)p. 65
  11. CHAPTER 8: Step 6 (Edit)p. 91
  12. CHAPTER 9: Step 7 (Fight for Feedback and Get Approval)p. 103
  13. PART IV: SPEAKING AND LISTENINGp. 110
  14. CHAPTER 10: Air Force Speakingp. 111
  15. CHAPTER 11: Effective Listening Strategiesp. 123
  16. PART V: WORKPLACE CHALLENGESp. 132
  17. CHAPTER 12: Electronic Communications and Social Mediap. 133
  18. CHAPTER 13: Meetingsp. 153
  19. PART VI: DOCUMENT STANDARDSp. 161
  20. CHAPTER 14: The Official Memorandump. 163
  21. Attachmentsp. 174
  22. CHAPTER 15 The Personal Letterp. 191
  23. CHAPTER 16: Air Force “Papers”p. 219
  24. CHAPTER 17: The Staff Studyp. 229
  25. CHAPTER 18: The Staff Packagep. 237
  26. CHAPTER 19: Writing Better Bullet Statementsp. 247
  27. CHAPTER 20: The Official Biographyp. 257
  28. CHAPTER 21: The Résumép. 265
  29. CHAPTER 22: Envelopes and Mailp. 275
  30. CHAPTER 23: Air Force Publications/Formsp. 283
  31. PART VII: WRITING MECHANICSp. 285
  32. CHAPTER 24: Writing Terminologyp. 287
  33. CHAPTER 25: Punctuationp. 295
  34. CHAPTER 26: Abbreviationsp. 331
  35. CHAPTER 27: Capitalizationp. 341
  36. CHAPTER 28: Numbersp. 355

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Air Force index

REF: AFH 33-337, effective May 27, 2015

Air Force e-Publishing — AFH 33-337

This is an index record, not the publication. The official PDF is the authority; verify the current edition before acting.

Reviewed by Guilherme Correia · Military Toolkit editorial

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