How to Write a Memo-Style Report for the United States Congress

Memoranda to Congress should contain sound legal arguments.

Anyone familiar with even basic principles of argumentative writing or with preparing legal memoranda, can draft a memorandum report for the United States Congress with little outside help. Since many reports addressed to Congress urge the lawmakers to take action, you should clearly state what you are asking Congress to do and support your recommendations with sound arguments backed by careful research.

Instructions

1. Write a heading based on samples of memo-style reports sent to Congress. The memo referenced by author Steve Beckow, writing on "The 2012 Scenario", is addressed to one member of Congress in particular; the memo published by Global Securities Watch is addressed to Congress as a whole. (See Resources.)

2. Identify who is preparing the memo. The author of the memorandum on Global Securities Watch identifies himself at the end, while the memo published by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) puts the author's name on the first page, beneath the address line.

3. Specify the Articles in the United States Constitution your memo relies on. For example, the memo Beckow writes about says that the subject officials committed treason. Article III of the Constitution is referenced, and the article's text is reprinted on the memo.

4. Provide background of the case. Depending on your argument, the background could take three paragraphs or three pages. Notice how the memos published by Beckow, the ACLU and Global Securities Watch all provide specific events, people and dates. Avoid generalizations and universal statements you cannot prove.

5. Explain whether your memorandum contains any caveats (warnings) and, if so, identify them. See, for example, the memo Beckow discusses, which says the brief overview of the subject---as opposed to a detailed chronicle---is enough for readers to agree or disagree with the memo's recommendations.

6. Argue points logically, using roman numerals to distinguish the arguments. Phrase points as questions, followed by arguments on both sides, as the memo Beckow addresses shows, or follow the format used by the memos discussed on the ACLU and Global Securities Watch sites, which frame the points as arguments containing specific references to legal sources, like the U.S. Constitution or cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tips & Warnings

• Not every memo to Congress urges legislative action. Some are written by administration officials offering guidelines for government agencies. See Resources for the memo published on the White House's website.

Resources

• White House: Memorandum for Department Heads and Agencies
• Global Securities Watch: May 30, 2003 Memo to United States Congress
• The 2012 Scenario: Alfred Webre Memo to U.S. Congress
• ACLU: Memorandum to Congress on President Bush's Order Establishing Military Tribunals