Writing Strategies Overview Writing Strategies General Requirements Exercise Voting Scenario in SSG Review Sample Memorandum The Process 1 Outline your research effort in a Talking Paper 2 Use your Talking Paper to organize your memorandum Talking Paper On Topic XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX MEMORANDUM FOR FROM SUBJECT 1 PS OV MP1 MP2 2 TS MP1 XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 3 TS MP2 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 4 CLOSING POC XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ID Line SIGNATURE General Requirements See T Q p 184 Margins One inch on left right and bottom Paragraphs Number or letter each If only one paragraph don t number Line Spacing Single space SS within a paragraph Double space DS between paragraphs and subparagraphs PS Review cont PS Review Cont Write in 1P or 2P generally achieves a positive conversational tone PRONOUNS Singular Plural Possessive 1P 1st Person I We My 2P 2nd Person You You Your yours 3P 3rd Person She He They Her his Their General Requirements Transition TR A word or phrase used to connect ideas in a paragraph or different paragraphs Internal TR Logically ties supporting ideas together or shows the relationship between ideas First Then Finally As of now See T Q pg 70 for more transition words and phrases General Requirements External Transition Generally a sentence that links one MP to the next MP MP1 fitness problems MP2 incentives to exercise and eat healthy Ex External TR Fortunately we can solve the fitness problems if we offer our members some incentives to exercise and eat healthy General Requirements Formula for Paragraph 2 TS about MP1 TR 1st SI More on 1st SI TR 2nd SI More on 2nd SI TR 3rd SI External TR TS Topic Sentence MP Main Point SI Supporting Idea A talking paper will often discuss one MP Each single dash item would be considered a supporting idea while double dash items would be additional support Heading Review Memorandum Date Place on line 10 flush to right side Legally indicates when letter signed If unknown when letter will be signed leave date area blank Ex 24 Nov 06 Heading Review MEMORANDUM FOR See T Q p 184 Capitalize individual or group names Use functional address symbol FAS FAS unit office symbol Type 2 spaces after FOR Ex FAS MEMORANDUM FOR HQ AETC CC 2 sp Heading Review FROM All caps 1 line only 2 spaces after colon Use full return address if letter going off base st Ex FROM HQ AFOATS CC 551 E Maxwell Blvd Maxwell AFB AL 36112 Heading Review SUBJECT Be brief helpful Capitalize 1st letter of words except for articles prepositions and conjunctions Ex SUBJECT Nominee for Volunteer Award In Unit Memorandum BEGIN ON LINE 11 No letterhead needed MEMORANDUM FOR CC FROM CCE SUBJECT Curriculum Review 2 spaces after Out of Unit Example BEGIN ON LINE 14 with letterhead MEMORANDUM FOR 42 ABW DO FROM 21 OTS CC SUBJECT ORI Schedule Paragraphs Introduction PS OV Sets stage and tone for your message Body Paragraphs Discuss MPs Each has a TS other sentences that support the supporting ideas SI Use TRs for your SIs to logically flow Conclusion Closing sentence POC Terms Abbreviations PS Purpose Statement OV Overview MP Main Point TR Transitions TS Topic Sentence SI Supporting Idea See T Q pp 65 88 for more information Exercise Voting Scenario Heading MEMORANDUM FOR ALL UNIT PERSONNEL FROM CC SUBJECT Voting in General Election Exercise Voting Scenario Purpose Statement PS I d like to encourage you to take part in our democratic process and vote in the upcoming general election on 5 Nov 07 Exercise Voting Scenario Overview OV I ll highlight some of the benefits you ll receive and explain a few steps in the voting process What are the MPs Exercise Voting Scenario Topic Sentence TS You ll receive several benefits from voting Yes use contractions they contribute to a conversational tone Exercise Voting Scenario Supporting Ideas Expand on the MP Anticipate questions from the readers Who What Where When Why and How Use TRs between different supporting ideas to help paragraph flow Ex First you ll feel good because you re taking part in one of our country s most sacred rights as a citizen Exercise Voting Scenario Closing Sentence I hope you ll show your American spirit by voting in the upcoming general election POC Information If you have any questions please contact 2d Lt Jeremy Michaels our unit voting representative at ext 34711 Signature Block Review Insert 4 blank lines after final paragraph area for signature Centered three spaces to the right NAME all caps Rank USAF all caps Duty title next line Center of paper SAMANTHA C JONES Lt Col USAF Commander 3 spaces Review copy of completed letter Summary Writing Strategies General Requirements Exercise Voting Scenario in SSG Review a Sample Memorandum