When you write a business memo, there are a few things that are required for proper formatting.  Formatting means how the document looks - the size of the text, the margins and so on.

Most business writing is very similar in format.  It will use:

• 12 point font (usually Times, Arial, or Trebucet)
• Fully justified margins (text goes all the way to the left and right)
• it is usually single spaced
• paragraphs are NOT indented
• there is usually 1 line between paragraphs
• it uses clear and meaningful headings and sub-headings to identify sections of the writing
• often uses bullet points (like these here) to show key ideas

Writing Headings and Sub-headings

With business writing you can guide your reader by using helpful and meaningful headings.  Instead of using 'empty' language like "summary" or "Discussion" you should write clear, but short, headings.  For example:

• "Fall Product Line Suggestions"
• "New Budget Estimates"
• "Recommendations for Advertising"  or,
• Writing Headings and Sub-headings

As you can see, putting important points or details into bullet point lists can draw the readers' attention to the section and will help them remember the details more accurately.

In the last post we talked about the different sections of a memo.  In general here is roughly what amount of space each of the sections should use in a normal memo.

1. Header section: about 10-15% of the memo
2. Opening Section (Situation and Tasks): 25% of the memo
3. Summary and Discussion Sections: about 50% of the memo
4. Closing & Attachments Sections: about 10-15% of the memo

Please understand that these are only rough estimates.  Every memo will be different, and every company will have slightly different needs and requirements, so just use these as a reference and always be ready to adapt and change what and how you write to match the situation.