BLUF (bottom line up front)

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) is the practice of opening any written communication with the most important idea stated immediately, right at the beginning. BLUF originated as a military communications framework, designed to enforce clear communication in situations where life and death may be at stake.

BLUF is useful in forms of writing. Open your emails with your main request. Share the main takeaway from your research right in the introduction. Address the question posed by your article header immediately, and save the rest of the section for elaboration and example.

If you find it difficult to BLUF your writing, it’s a clear indication that you haven’t quite pinned down the central thesis of your writing.