Align audience, question, evidence, and next action before drafting.
<div class="brief"><div><i>01</i>AUDIENCE <b>✓</b></div><div><i>02</i>QUESTION <b>✓</b></div><div><i>03</i>EVIDENCE <b>✓</b></div><div><i>04</i>NEXT STEP <b>✓</b></div><span class="pen"></span></div>.brief{position:relative;width:min(80%,450px);background:var(--surface);border:2px solid var(--fg);box-shadow:7px 7px 0 var(--accent-2);padding:clamp(8px,3vmin,24px);font:900 clamp(11px,max(2.6vmin,1vw),19px) sans-serif}.brief div{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);height:clamp(27px,9vmin,52px)}.brief i{font-style:normal;color:var(--accent);font-size:max(10px,1vw,.7em)}.brief b{margin-left:auto;color:var(--accent);animation:check 4s infinite}.brief div:nth-child(2) b{animation-delay:.6s}.brief div:nth-child(3) b{animation-delay:1.2s}.brief div:nth-child(4) b{animation-delay:1.8s}@keyframes check{0%,10%{opacity:0;transform:scale(.2)}30%,85%{opacity:1;transform:none}100%{opacity:0}}A content brief is a compact plan for a writer. It states the reader's question, scope, evidence to check, and intended next step.
An overly prescriptive brief can crowd out editorial judgment. Make the argument and verification criteria clear while leaving room for the writer's voice.
Use it when writers and reviewers differ or when commissioning outside contributors.