Section 2.1

Memoranda

Memoranda are brief, informal reports used to establish a record. They generalize thecommunication process by transmitting the message from one or more authors to one or morerecipients. E-mail messages typically take the form of memoranda.

The memorandum is among the most versatile of organizational documents. From brief research reports and progress reportsto trip reports and thumbnail proposals, the memo form is widely used to communicate technicaland administrative information. Memoranda are written for numerous internal purposes--forexample, to request information, to make announcements, to outline policies, and to transmitmeeting minutes. Thus, in most organizations, memos play a crucial role in establishing a record ofdecisions, requests, responsibilities, results, and concerns.

The Memo Heading

The distinctive element of the memorandum is its heading, which is used to frame the message ina very accessible and transparent manner.

This information sets out the context of the message and should be detailed enough to make thecontext very clear.

The Memo Body

Generally, organize the topics of the memorandum in order of importance, with the key statementsfirst and the details further on. The memorandum should normally begin with a brief summarystatement, in one or two sentences, identifying the key topic and the scope of the memorandum.

## Memoranda ##


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