Tips on Writing
a.
Organization
A well organized paper with sub-headings or in outlined form is easier to read
and normally will be more succinct.
b.
Quality of the analysis.
Thorough, penetrating, analysis
requires understanding and using all information, reinterpretation of facts as
presented, choosing appropriate quantitative techniques, testing various
assumptions (sensitivity analysis).
Data should be incorporated into your memo when used to substantiate a
major point, but should not be discursively described. Put all computations in
an appendix.
Caveat Read critically and do not believe everything you read in annual reports or from any other source. People have biases; distort facts, and downright lie.
c. Conciseness
Most major points in a paper can be explained in one sentence. Supportive evidence may take more than one line, but don't "pad" your main point (it may confuse what you're trying to get across and it generally reduces the impact of the point).
d. Clarity of presentation.
Is the solution
expressed clearly? Keep your sentences
simple. Grammar, spelling and
punctuation should be checked. Don’t
use long words (utilize) where a short one will do (use), and don’t use two
words when one is sufficient. USE THE
SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE WHENEVER POSSIBLE, and the SIMPLE PAST otherwise. Avoid repetition at all cost! Turgid expressions and time-wasting
diversionary clauses such as the following (all taken from student
submissions!) will lower your grade: -
Another point of concern comes
with…When looking at a case like this…
In cases such as this one…The
ramifications of this are quite profound…
Let me move now to the aspect
of…Another aspect that should be considered is…
As mentioned earlier… To begin
with… In the first place…
For this reason it has…The reason
for this problem is due mainly to…
Finally it is important to suggest that…
The major problem I am confronted
with is that…
It is a well known fact that… It is quite clear that…
It is easily seen that… The basic fact is that…
Another inequity arising out of
this practice is the fact that…
Looking at p.6 of the appendix one
can see that…
Another point is that… Another thing to note is that…
It seems urgent that… It seems to
me as an outside viewer that…
(In general all phrases ending in
"that" are suspect! Get on
with the main point.)