Writing Tip of the Week

Help your reader understand the large-scale organization of your memo or brief with introductions, headings, subheadings, thesis paragraphs, and conclusions.

1. Introduction. Sets up subsections. Usually includes rule. Sets context. Includes material that doesn’t belong under the headings.

2. Headings and subheadings tell the reader what is in the section or subsection. Full sentences. Headings and subheadings in an objective memo can be positive statements or questions. For this class I want you to use questions. Make sure your headings and subheadings clearly reflect the content of the section or subsection.

3. Put thesis paragraphs before subdivisions. Thesis paragraphs introduce the subsections. There are some very good examples in Shapo.

4. Conclusion. The conclusion should sum up the discussion section. If the discussion consists of three main sections, your conclusion should comprise four sentences. Overall conclusion, conclusion I, conclusion II, conclusion III. You can add additional sentences for additional subsections.

Example.

Introduction

I. Heading

Thesis Paragraph

A. Subheading

B. Subheading

II. Heading

III. Heading

Thesis paragraph

A. Subheading

B. Subheading

C. Subheading

Thesis Paragraph

1. Sub-subheading

2. Sub-subheading

IV. Heading

Conclusion

(esf)