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• A memorandum might seem like an outdated mode of communication, but it is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.