Title: READ: Composing a Memo
Course: Computer Technology

Memos

Memo is short for memorandum. It means something to remember (as in "memory").

The purpose of a memo is to bring attention to a problem and a solution. A memo informs people about changes, reminds them of details, or requests a specific action (prepare for a meeting). Memos are used to send information to co-workers within a company.

Memos should be short. They always contain the following 4 pieces of header information to begin with:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MEMO (or MEMORANDUM)

TO: (readers' names and/or job titles)
FROM: (your name and job title)
DATE: January 14, 20XX (This date format)

RE: (what the memo is about; this line is always in bold)

The body of the memo should start with the purpose of the memo and the specific assignment or task. Then, briefly give any necessary background information. Don't give any more detail than necessary.

In this middle paragraph, talk about what you are doing to help solve the problem. Your memo should have around 3 short paragraphs. Put a space between each paragraph. Align the paragraphs on the left. Do not indent the paragraphs.

Your last paragraph will the close of your memo with a call to action. That means be clear about what you want people to do. You do not sign a memo at the bottom. At the top, you have already listed who the memo is from.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The instructions between the 2 lines above are written in memo format.

HERE is an example of a memo that you can model your memo assignment after.