How To Write a Memo

Posted: February 11, 2013

[caption id="attachment_11173" align="alignright" width="319"]© coramax - Fotolia.com[/caption]

When you write a memo to someone, content is key. If you're sending your memo to someone, you need to make sure that you get your point across in a clear, consice way. Do you know how to do that?

[caption id="attachment_11173" align="alignright" width="319"]© coramax - Fotolia.com[/caption]

When you write a memo to someone, content is key. If you're sending your memo to someone, you need to make sure that you get your point across in a clear, consice way. Do you know how to do that?

The memo may seem like a thing of the past, long ago supplanted by the email message. However, its general format can be applied to electronic communications, and the hard-copy memo still has its place in businesses and other organizations, especially when providing context for a print publication or another physical object being distributed among a group of people. Here are guidelines about format and organization of a memo.

The full form of memo, memorandum — the equally acceptable plural forms are memoranda and memorandums — means “to be remembered,” and though memos often serve as reminders, they may also introduce a resource or call attention to an event, a policy, or an issue.

Memos are useful for informing or reminding multiple people about something. The only reason to circulate a printed memo rather than email the intended recipients, however, is to minimize the risk that sensitive information will be distributed outside that limited audience, though hard copy can also be leaked to or otherwise appropriated by outside parties. (In that case, it might be best to avoid documentation altogether and circulate the information in person or by telephone.) Therefore, as stated above, the following recommendations are best suited for electronic transmission or for cases in which a memo accompanies an object.

Read the entire article How To Write a Memo at Daily Writing Tips.