- non-bureaucratic and more personal
- clear format
- header (identification info like date, to, from, subject)
- introduction (subject, purpose, main point, and sometimes background and importance)
- body (content, information needed for reader to take action)
- conclusion (thanks the readers, restate the main point, look to the future)
- Using "you" style (being constructive)
- Memo types (inquiry, response, transmittal, claim, adjustment, refusal)
- State purpose within the first few sentences (front-loading)
- memos are more personal than press releases
- written in first-person to somebody
- plan prior to writing (start writing the body first, then do introduction and conclusion)
- action-oriented (reader should do something)
- concise
- body is biggest part, then introduction, then conclusion, then header
- visual structures like bullet lists, graphs, charts, etc. can be more effective than paragraph text
- scope of audience (the tighter the better)
- avoid putting sensitive information in memos
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