What Is Memorandum ?

Definition of Memorandum..

ØMemorandum means “something to be remembered”

ØMemo is a brief, in-house communication sent up and down the corporate ladder

ØMemo is  …  more formal than e-mails                             

                     …  less formal than business letters.

ØOriginally used only in hard copy, memo is now often processed electronically.

ØMemos vary in length.

ØMemo generally deals with only one subject. For two unrelated subjects, write two different memos.

Purposes of Memo

To inquire

žTo announce

žTo report

žTo remind

žTo instruct

žTo promote goodwill

Context of Memo

Memos vary in length, formality, frequency, complexity as per context…

ØLearn your organization’s memo policy

ØAnalyze the attitudes/expectations of your addressees -  Consider primary,

secondary, tertiary addressees      -  Choose direct or indirect method.

ØKnow the medium of sending memo

ØKnow the position/designation of your addressees

 The Identification Block

Typically, words in the identification block  are keyed in

ALL CAPS, bold, followed by a colon, and double spaced :

TO:

FROM:

DATE:

SUBJECT:

Kinds of Memos

qInformative Memos

qPersuasive Memos 

qNegative Memos