MEMO Assignment

MEMO 2 ASSIGNMENT
CRITIQUE OF AN ACTUAL POLICY/PROGRAM
DIRECTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Summer 2019
The second memo is due on Canvas no later than June 19th by 11:59PM.
All of the background information you will need for writing the memo is included in the article
– which I have handed placed on Canvas under Resources (entitled “Sentencing by the
Numbers” by Emily Bazelon). Please note the following:
• The Bazelon article is the only source you are permitted to use to write this memo.
• The memo is not to exceed two sides of a page [the entire front plus the entire back].
• Your memo must be typed single-spaced in Times New Roman, 12-point font.
• The memo has six subsections – see below under STRUCTURE OF YOUR MEMO
• Please use complete sentences and full paragraphs – no bullets. Do not number
• anything – not even the sections. You can use I and we.
• Please provide a space between subsections of the memo [required subsections and the
order in which they must be provided are described below] For this assignment, pretend that I AM GOVERNOR PERLMAN OF NEW JERSEY. The
Governor of Virginia mentioned to me at a conference that his state has a new way of sentencing
criminals to prison. I have asked you, my policy advisor on criminal matters and prisons, to look
into it and report back to me. I want to know what Virginia is doing and whether or not it would
be a good idea for New Jersey.
Your memo must have the following heading:
To: Governor Perlman
From: Your Name
Date: June 20, 2019
Re: Virginia’s “Sentencing by the Numbers” Policy.
STRUCTURE OF YOUR MEMO
Your memo must provide the following six (6) subsections, with headings in boldface for each of
these sections in the following order:
• Brief Description of Virginia’s Program
• Pros and Cons Associated with the Program
• Who Supports It (which individuals or factions)
• Who Opposes It (which individuals or factions)
• Other Options and their Potential Consequences
• Recommendation
You will address each of the above subsections in the above order using full paragraphs and full
sentences. Again, do not use bullets. You may, at your discretion, bold or underline phrases for
emphasis. Be judicious about how you do that, however.
For the Who Supports It and Who Opposes It sections make sure you include some actual names
from the “Sentencing by the Numbers” reading. That improves your credibility/
For the Other Options and their Potential Consequences subsection you have to do some
thinking, but please keep things brief. For example, one option is to simply not make any
changes in sentencing in New Jersey. If we make no changes what are the consequences,
especially if crime rises?
Some of you may think of other options, but make sure you briefly
mention any anticipated consequences of the option you suggest. Keep it brief. You do not have
much room within which to work.
For the Recommendation, you are recommending to Governor Perlman how we [the
governor and the state] should proceed. In making your recommendation, please state your
opinion as to WHETHER NEW JERSEY SHOULD ADOPT THIS POLICY, REJECT IT,
OR STUDY IT MORE. After reading your memo, Governor Perlman wants to have enough
facts to make an informed decision, regardless of whether or not he agrees with your
recommendation.
Remember you only have two sides (front of page plus back of page) within which to write the
memo. If you go over that maximum you will lose points – so do not do that.
FINAL POINTERS TO TAKE SERIOUSLY
• Proofread your work carefully. Errors in grammar and spelling undermine the readability
and credibility of your analysis and recommendation. Always print out your work to
proofread it. You will miss mistakes if you try to “on screen” proofread it.
• Again, do not use contractions.
• The judicious use of bolding and/or bolding and underlining can help your reader grasp
the most significant points you are trying to make, but please do not use italics.
• You do not need to cite the Bazelon article unless you quote directly from it. If you
• do quote directly from it please do so as follows:
“Yada yada yada yada yada.” (Bazelon). I do not need any page numbers – just (Bazelon)
at the end of your sentence, in parentheses, and before the period.
• Do not fill your memo with quotes. Use them very, very sparingly – if at all.