Tips for memo success

Prereqs

  1. Read the memo prompt fully. I have received a number of well-reasoned memos on the wrong topic because the student misread the memo prompt. If you have questions, please email me about them.
  2. Page limit: 2 pages, single spaced plus a coversheet with header and executive summary (the coversheet and executive summary do not count toward the page or word count). This is approximately 1,000 words depending on your choice of font (Times New Roman preferred)
  3. This kind of writing is not easy. You’ll likely need to revise your memo at least once before turning it in. Your objective is to convince me (as the decision maker) that your recommendation is one I should take. Anything that gets in the way of achieving that objective should be cut.

Structure

Before you write

Start with an outline

The required outline format is as follows:

Executive Summary

A short distillation of your memo. This will be approximately one paragraph.

Think: What would I like a decisionmaker to know if they only read this summary? What are the most important ideas I want to convey? Note: Your recommendation must be included.

Page Break

Recommendation for Action

Make a recommendation or recommendations. This will be no longer than one to three sentences.

Background

Provide background information necessary for the reader of the report to understand context and the issues addressed. Limit background to one or two paragraphs.

Analysis

The discussion section is the main body of the report. Present key ideas in logical order. Describe options; consider advantages and disadvantages, cost and benefits; present arguments in a fair and balanced manner. Be sure to support your argument with relevant literature from the course reading list. Provide citations to relevant literature in footnotes in Chicago or APA style.

Conclusion

This is a summation of your argument, no longer than one brief paragraph.

Consider your audience

Who are you writing this memo to? What kinds of information would they deem essential to make a decision?

Consider your outcome

What information are you trying to convey? Is this memo meant to inform? Or is it meant to convince? What you are ultimately trying to do should influence how you write.

Bottom line up front

Do not hide your recommendations from the reader. Remember: your reader is likely busy and may not fully read your memo. This is why the executive summary and the recommendations sections are essential. Think about how you can get the most important information across quickly.

Writing Style

Below is a list of things to do and/or avoid.

  • Define your acronyms: even if you assume your audience knows them, spell out acronyms the first time you use them.
  • Write less: remove unnecessary words. Keep sentences to 20 or fewer words.
  • Write in active voice: State the actor/subject at the beginning of the sentence.
  • Use simple words: Check your document’s Flesch Reading Ease (over 50 is excellent for business writing) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (aim for Grade 8 or lower). Here are instructions to find Microsoft Word’s readability statistics.
  • Avoid weasel or filler words: Remove vague terms and replace them with specificity. Instead of “some time ago,” write “three months ago.”
  • Be objective: avoid adjectives and adverbs – Adjectives are imprecise and don’t contribute to making a decision. Replace adjectives with data.
  • Support your claims with data (see above) – If you made a specific claim, provide evidence. Either a citation to the literature or specific data (with a link to where it came from, i.e., Census Bureau)