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ADMINISTRATIVE MEMORADUM
Administrative Memorandum: Public Management
NAME
Helms School of Government, Liberty University
TO: Dr. William Clements, Liberty University Professor for PADM 620
FROM: Jeffrey D. McMurry, Liberty University Graduate Student
SUBJECT: The Administrative Memorandum, Public Management
DATE: September 13, 2025
Introduction
Public administration heavily depended on clear and effective communication, with the
administrative memorandum being a frequently used form of internal communication. A
wellwritten memorandum was essential for transmitting policies, providing updates, or
requesting action within public organizations. As Dresang (2017) explained, the "ABCs" of
effective administrative writing—accuracy, brevity, and clarity—were essential for
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administrators to maintain credibility and ensure their messages were received and acted upon
appropriately. This memorandum examined best practices for administrative memoranda,
incorporated additional scholarly guidance, considered biblical principles for integrity and
communication, and provided recommendations for public administrators.
Accuracy in Administrative Memoranda
Accuracy had been the first and arguably most crucial requirement for a practical
memorandum. Public administrators were responsible for ensuring that the data, statistics, and
statements they communicated were factually correct. Dresang (2017) emphasized that
accuracy involved both factual content and technical details such as grammar, punctuation, and
spelling. Errors eroded trust in administrators and agencies. Cantarelli et al. (2023) emphasized
that information in public administration is only useful if decision-makers can trust that it is
accurate and up to date. This means that it must be correct, truthful, and transparent. According
to Proverbs 12:22 (NIV), "the Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are
trustworthy." Administrators had to ensure that the memoranda provided an accurate and
complete picture of the situation, without omitting crucial details or exaggerating issues.
Brevity and Conciseness
An important aspect of Dresang's framework was maintaining brevity. Clear and concise
communication was crucial because those in charge, policymakers, and staff often became
overwhelmed with information. A memorandum should provide enough context for the
recipient to grasp the issue but not too much background info that might get in the way of the
main point. Dresang (2017) states that lengthier memoranda need summaries and could slow
down decisionmaking. Effective administrators found a balance between being efficient and
being thorough, and they made their messages as clear as possible.
Writing guidelines for organizations also encouraged brevity. Herman (n.d.) suggested
that policy writers adopt a "bottom line up front" strategy to facilitate the swift identification of
key issues by decision-makers. This idea is similar to Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV), which warns us,
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"Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." For public administrators,
brevity was more than just being efficient; it was also about respecting other people's time and
mental resources.
Clarity and Structure
Clarity was the third key element of effective memorandum writing. By making readers'
intentions clear, writers reduced misunderstandings and errors. According to Dresang (2017),
using simple language and avoiding unnecessary jargon is a solid strategy. If technical terms are
required, writers should define them to make the memorandum accessible to everyone, not just
experts in the field. Organizing the document with headings, lists, and short paragraphs makes it
easier to follow. According to the University of Cincinnati Learning Assistance Center’s General
Memo Writing Guidelines (n.d.), a consistent format with sections for purpose, background,
discussion, and recommended actions can be beneficial. This structure helps readers find their
way through the document quickly. This dedication to transparency was evident in 1 Corinthians
14:40 (NIV), "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." Writing that is clear
and well-organized demonstrates respect for both the reader and the message.
Audience Orientation and Purpose Definition
Effective memoranda took it a step further by considering what the reader needed to
know. It's crucial for writers to understand the level of expertise and decision-making power
their audience has, so they can tailor their message accordingly (Cantero, 2019). By starting with
a clear purpose statement, writers made sure the reader immediately grasped the message's
purpose and urgency. By focusing on the audience, memoranda became more valuable and
practical. Public officials also had to think ahead to possible questions and objections and plan
their answers accordingly. Herman recommended that memo writers touch on alternative
options and limitations. This approach not only showed a thorough analysis but also boosted
the author's credibility and supported informed decision-making.
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Recommendations for Public Administrators
According to research, public administrators should have followed these best practices
when writing administrative memoranda:
· Clearly state the purpose upfront. Start with a concise statement of purpose or action.
· Use a logical organization. Include headings for purpose, background, discussion, and
recommendations.
· Provide only the necessary background and supporting information, keeping it concise yet
thorough.
· Talk to your audience in a way that makes sense to them by avoiding unnecessary jargon
and provide explanations for technical terms.
· Present alternative options and be honest about your limits by considering what questions
people might ask and what concerns they could have in advance.
· Double-check the accuracy of the writing by ensuring the facts are correct, the grammar is
correct, and the meaning is clear.
· By following these steps, public agencies have improved their operations, increased
transparency, and enhanced accountability.
Conclusion
Administrative memoranda were crucial to how the government worked. When made
with care, brevity, and clarity, and tailored to the needs of the audience, these texts become
valuable tools of good governance. The Bible's teachings on communication stressed the
necessity of being honest, succinct, and organized, which helped these practices. Public
administrators may write memoranda that help people make informed decisions, earn the
public's trust, and support their ethical duties by employing Dresang's ABCs and following
modern rules.
References
Cantarelli, P., Bellé, N., & Hall, J. L. (2023). Information use in public administration and policy
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decision making: A research synthesis. Public Administration Review, 83(6).
https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13735
Cantero, C. (2019). Writing Professional Memos.
https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Memos.pdf
Dresang, D. L. (2017). The public administration workbook. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Herman, L. (n.d.). Policy Memos. https://law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Policy-
Memo-Guidelines-2.pdf
NIV - Logos Bible Study. (2024). Ref.ly. https://ref.ly/res/LLS:NIV2011/2024-03-
22T14:15:08Z/1810789?len=256
University of Cincinnati Learning Assistance Center. (n.d.). General Memo Writing Guidelines
Composing a Memo.
https://www.uc.edu/content/dam/uc/aess/docs/LACResources/MEMO_template
%20and %20tips_5_29_2012.pdf
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