Business Communications: A Persuasive Memo (Read Carefully)
da_man50_302
memo_guidelines.docxWhat follows is a set of guidelines for the Unit 1 memo assignment and other assignments you will complete in this course. These recommendations apply to all your writing assignments in this course, as well as writing you do professionally.
· Omit the phrase "As you know." Yes, you see it all the time, but if you think about it, it's a terrible waste of space in your writing. If the reader already knows, why are you repeating the information? If you believe the information bears repeating, do so without prefacing it.
· Omit the phrase "In conclusion" or "in summary." It is the last paragraph in your document. If you are not concluding, then there is something wrong with your final paragraph.
· Omit the phrase "That being said." Again, it's a space filler that adds little to your writing.
· Do not tell your reader to call if he or she has any questions. Simply say "You may reach me at my [email protected] or 555-555-5555. Obviously they won't call or email unless they have questions or answers or comments. There is also no need to say it is your email or your phone number. We recognize both without guidance.
· Avoid over-the-top language - kindly, passionately, etc. Let the language speak without adding qualifiers or judgement (i.e., that's "great"..what is great to you and great to me may not be the same)
· Present dollar figures rounded to the nearest dollar. Do not give cents; do not give approximations. You are requesting funding - know how much you need! And DO specify how much funding you are seeking!
· Single space your document; double space between paragraphs. Do not indent paragraphs. This is standard business document writing.
· Put the bottom line on top - let your reader know right away why you are writing and what you want!
