HBR Guide to Better Business Writing (HBR Guide Series)

Chapter 20 Memos and Reports

Memos and reports are often used to get people up to speed on an issue, to induce action, or both. So make it immediately clear in each element—your title, summary, body, and conclusion—what you want readers to learn about or do.

Pick a short, clear title

Whether you’re writing a memo’s subject line or a report title, choose concise, sure-footed language that says exactly what the document is about.

NOT THIS:	BUT THIS:
Subject: Siegelson	Subject: Approval of Siegelson Acquisition
Subject: Settlement	Subject: Why We Should Reject Frost’s Settlement Offer
Subject: Print Run	Subject: Ginsburg Autobiography Print Run

The titles on the left hint at the topics covered but don’t let readers know what ...