Persuasive Memorandum
MEMORANDUM FORMAT
• A memorandum might seem like an outdated mode of communication, but it is
still frequently used in many workplaces.
• Memos are formatted differently from workplace to workplace. When you get a
job, you should examine the memos and mimic a similar style.
• In this class, we’re going to created traditional memorandums. When in doubt
about formatting anything in life, use the traditional style to play things safe.
STYLE GUIDE FOR ENGLISH 253 MEMOS
• Times New Roman, 12 point font
• Type the word “MEMORANDUM” on the top line, all-caps and centered
• Press “enter” four times
• The following elements, in this order, formatted this way:
TO: Jane Doe, President
FROM: John Smith, Accountant
DATE: August 1, 2012
SUBJECT: Discrepancies in June Payroll
** Please not that those are in all-caps and each is followed by a colon
** Align them against the left margin
** When possible, add a title after both your name and the recipient’s
name
** Spell out the month
** Notice that I’ve pressed the “tab” key several times before typing in the
names, etc. Do this. This will align those items along a new margin line.
• Press “enter” twice, so you have one line worth of spacing between your Subject
line and your Abstract
• Begin typing your content
** Do not indent
** Leave one empty space between paragraphs
• This whole document should be single-spaced
Scroll down to see a sample memo.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Tiffany Dvorske, Professor; John Doe, Professor
FROM: Hillary Joubert, Professor
DATE: August 1, 2012
SUBJECT: Item Description
Abstract
This first section is your Abstract. It should be no longer than 250 words. You should
title this section. Your title should not be “Abstract,” but, instead, something that gives
insight into your document. Your title should be flush with the left margin and should
not be too distracting. One line space before beginning your first body paragraph is
needed.
Body
You’ll notice that the Body section of your document should also be titled. Your title
should not be “Body,” but, again, something that gives insight into what your Body
section will be about. Your first body paragraph worth of content goes here. Notice
how there is no salutation. There is no need for one because the recipients are already
mentioned in the “TO” line.
Subheading (title appropriately)
Your second body paragraph worth of content goes here. Notice how I’ve left one line
space between the first and the second body paragraphs. Also notice how there is a
space that will be left between the end of the second body paragraph and the
beginning of the third body paragraph.
Subheading (title appropriately)
Your third body paragraph worth of content goes here. Rinse Repeat this format for
however many body paragraphs you need to fully cover whatever topic you are writing
about. Nothing appears at the end of a memo. Memos end the way they end – with
your Conclusion section. You don’t need a Valediction (“thank you” line), nor do you
need to end by typing your name. Your name is already included in the “FROM” line.
One line space is needed between your Body section and your Conclusion section.
Conclusion
Your Conclusion goes here. You can think of your Conclusion as the section of your
document where you remind readers of the main points you want them to walk away
knowing about your subject.
***Take note of how the sample Memo looks on the page. You’ll see how the major
sections of the Memo (The Abstract, The Body, and The Conclusion) are all in Bold and
aligned with the Left margin. Subsections of The Body should not be aligned with the
Left margin. These subsections must be visually different. The goal of a Memo is to
create a document that is visually easy to follow and can also be skimmed, so that
readers can immediately zoom in on the parts of the document that are most relevant
to their needs.