HOW?

Finally, one often-overlooked element of writing is the actual physical document. How something looks can be as important as who, why, when, where, and what you write.

The reader has certain structural expectations that you must meet. If you submit your writing in an unfamiliar or incorrect format, the reader may reject it immediately or stop reading before finishing the document.

To help you visualize how something should look, examine samples of previous memos and reports on the same topic. Don’t copy the style if the language is mediocre, but do copy the format. It makes sense to meet the reader’s expectations; to do so is part of being a good writer.

 

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