Ethical Communication
Section outline
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Format and Style
Memos are known for a clear, professional format and style. Make your memo into a “mini roadmap” to guide your reader through it (3). Each section should have a heading that summarizes the main point of the section and keeps the reader’s interest (3,5). Likewise, paragraphs should have a topic sentence that summarizes the main point. Your reader should be able to skim the memo to understand your main ideas (3).
Bullet points, tables, and figures can also simplify your message to the reader (3,5). When displaying data, explicitly link how the data fits into your argument (5). When writing about data, emphasize the claim rather than the source and methods (5,6):
- Needs Improvement: The Health of Boston Report derived from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2009 reported that 10% of public high school student smoke (7).
- Improved: Ten percent (10%) of public high school students in Boston smoke (7).
Your reader can check your references for more specifics about the numbers and sources.
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