The template below shows the layout of your memo in the left column of the table and an explanation of the format in the right column of the table. The memo layout in the table includes more vertical space between the sections to allow for the full explanation.

Check out the Website Survey Memo Template (Format Only) to see exactly what your memo should look like.

Survey of Website Writing Template with Annotations
Survey Template with Placeholder Text Explanation of Template Elements

MEMO

Document Title

  • Include “Memo” or “Memorandum” as the document title.
  • Do not include any other title.
To: Traci Gardner
From: Your Full Name
Date: January 21, 2025
Subject: Types of Writing in Electrical Engineering

Memo Headers

  • Every memo begins with a memo headers: To, From, Date, and Subject.
  • Follow each header with the pertinent information.
  • Align the memo headers align vertically.
  • Use the same size and style for all the Memo Headers.
  • Double space (leave 1 blank line) between headers.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi e vel arcu. Quisque neque diam, consequat vitae enim vel, dignis non erat eu aliquet. Aliquam fringilla nibh risus, eget molestie te vehicula et massa nec bibendum. Donec commodo ut est sed pretium. Etiam non tristique justo.

Memo Body

  • Do not indent paragraphs
  • Use hierarchical headings, in bold. Your title should be the largest and then work down from there.

Memo Introduction

This is the intro paragraph. There is no need to give an introduction a heading, as it’s obvious it’s the intro.

Approach

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Approach Section

  • Begin all main sections with a First-level Heading (using the same size and style).
  • Include your section content in a paragraph under the heading.

Types of Writing

From my research, I discovered that those who work in my field generally spend their time writing [identify 1], [identify 2], [identify 3], and [identify 4].

Types of Writing Section

  • Add another main section with a First-level Heading (using the same size and style).
  • Introduce the content of the following subsections with an Advance Organizer.
  • Add each type of writing, replacing “[identify1]” and so on with the types of writing in your memo.
  • Remove the square brackets from your sentence.

[Writing Type 1]

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Writing Type Subsection 1

  • Add a subsection with a Second-level Heading.
  • Use the same size and style for all subsections, matching across the memo.
  • Add the type of writing, replacing “[Writing Type 1]” and so on, for each subsection. Remove the square brackets from your heading.
  • Follow this pattern for all four subsections.

[Writing Type 2]

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Writing Type Subsection 2

Same as Subsection 1.

[Writing Type 3]

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Writing Type Subsection 3

Same as Subsection 1.

[Writing Type 4]

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Writing Type Subsection 4

Same as Subsection 1.

Conclusions

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Conclusions Section

  • Add another main section with a First-level Heading (using the same size and style).
  • Be sure to include the “s” on the end of the word Conclusions.
  • Answer the following question in this section: What did you learn about writing in your field from doing this research?

If you have any questions about my research or my conclusions, please write to me at youremail@vt.edu.

Memo Conclusion

  • Add a conclusion to end the memo.
  • Keep it simple.
  • Include your contact info so the reader can follow up if they desire.
  • Do not add your name or a signature block.