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Memo of Introduction |
A memo also can discuss information of a technical or business nature in an almost "mini-report" fashion. Rather than serving as a bulletin to most members of the organization, such a memo is often written from one department representative or team to another department representative or team. In this case, the memo might update members of one department on a design or policy change that will affect the work of others in a different, but related, department.
As more organizations have moved to electronic media communications, the role of the memo has changed. Some organizations find a reduced number of print-based memos circulating as those documents are replaced with email or listserv messages. This shift, however, does not mean that memos have no place in the business world. To the contrary, memos in their print-based form seem to carry with them a strong sense of "permanency" as compared to emails and listserv messages. Often times, the memo becomes a record of an event or situation and is archived for future purposes.
Although brief and conventional in form, a memo can have a great impact. Mistakes in a memo are quickly spotted and might lead to a series of memos in response. As mentioned previously, a memo is one document that is filed as part of an organization's "memory." Memos are often the first documents gathered in legal cases and policy disputes with organizations. Even though the primary audience, purpose, and your role in writing a memo might seem well defined, keep in mind the broader implications of the memo as a document representing you, relationships within an organization, and the organization itself.
For more information about memos refer to pages 143-147 in The Business Writer's Companion.How do I create my memo of introduction?
Your first assignment in our course is to create a one-page memo of introduction. The purpose of the memo is to introduce yourself to me and other members of the course. Consider, if you will, the class as an organization and yourself as a new member in a highly visible position. Your first task is to introduce yourself and spell out some goals for your new role. With your peers and me as the audience, consider your own role as author of a memo of introduction. You want to make a great first impression on all of us, and you want to provide us with information that will foster strong future working relationships in the course.
Information to discuss in your memo includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:
background information
What is your major and year in school?
course goals
This memo will help me to better understand your goals for enrolling in this course and help you to establish a rapport with your peers and me. Additionally, this assignment challenges you to consider not only the form of a memo but its role within an organization.
What format should I follow?
Your memo should be one single-spaced
page. You should use 12 point Times or Times New Roman for the body text
of your memo and Arial or other sans serif font for the headings in your
memo. Your margins should be 1 inch on all sides. Your memo should be
written in full block format using Word. Full block format means no indention
at the beginning of paragraphs and left justification. To signal the end
of one paragraph and the beginning of another, you should leave one blank
line. Do not use a Word memo template for this assignment.
memo header
You should create a memo header of your own--do not use a Word template. Here is an example of a memo header:
The "From" line should identify the author of the memo and should include written initials of its author.
The "Date" line should be the date of the memo's authoring.
The "Subject" line is the subject of the memo and it should be descriptive of the memo's purpose.
Please Note: 1) Your memo header should not be "boxed in"--this is an image file that has a border. 2) The "NS" depicts "handwritten" initials. You should sign your initials in blank ink near your Name in the memo header.
Note: Sometimes memos contain a "CC" line, which stands for carbon copy. This line denotes others who are receiving the memo but are not directly the audience of the memo. Those persons might be supervisors, secretaries, or other members of the organization.memo body
The body of your memo should address the questions provided above as well as provide other information that you deem pertinent to the assignment. Remember you are wanting to establish a professional and friendly tone of welcome.
Consider the body's development more carefully:
To review your memo's design and development, download the memo checklist.
When do I turn in my memo for evaluation?
Your memo will be graded for both form and content. In terms
of formatting, check your fonts, margins, and all other design aspects
of the memo. Additionally, be certain that you have addressed all the
questions provided and responded in a tone of friendly professionalism.
Please see the course calendar for project
due dates.
If you have any questions about the formatting or development of your memo of introduction, please let me know: kimmehea@u.arizona.edu or 663-3500.
How can I learn more about memos?
To learn more about the role of the memos and their format, review these
links:
Engineering Writing Centre Handbook/Memo
by Dennis G. Jerz ,U. of T. Engineering Writing Centre
http://www.ecf.toronto.edu/%7Ewriting/memo.htm
Purdue's On-line Writing Lab/Memo Writing
Purdue University
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/p_memo.html
Technical Writing in the School of Engineering
The University of Dayton
http://www.engr.udayton.edu/Special/Writing/memo/default.htm
Other
course links:
syllabus
| calendar | overview
of units 1-4 | unit 1 | unit
2 | unit 3 | unit 4
| job materials portfolio | formatting
reference