Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is typically a characteristic of a directive memo?

1. It expresses gratitude

2. It requests feedback

3. It states guidelines or expectations

4. It summarizes a meeting

The correct answer is: It states guidelines or expectations

A directive memo is primarily designed to communicate specific instructions, guidelines, or expectations to the recipients. Its main purpose is to guide actions or inform employees about new policies, tasks, or changes within the organization. By clearly stating expectations, the memo ensures everyone understands their responsibilities and how to proceed, which is essential for effective communication within a professional setting. While expressing gratitude or requesting feedback can be valuable in some forms of communication, they are not the primary focus of a directive memo. Summarizing a meeting, while useful, typically serves a different function and does not align with the primary intent of providing clear guidance and expectations. Thus, the defining characteristic of a directive memo is its role in stating guidelines or expectations, making it a powerful tool for organizational clarity and direction.