Although
we live in the internet age, office memos, or memorandums.
are still widely used in businesses and organizations
all over the world.
The
term "memorandum" was once meant as a reminder
or note to oneself, but in the late 19th century it
was started to be used for short letters sent within
a company. After the first world war the memo format
known today was already widely used all over the US.
Today business memos are on the decline, and one wonders
when memos will only remain as memo examples of memos
samples on the net.
So,
What characterizes memos is that they are sent within
a company, in order to communicate with co workers.
For that reason memos can be informal, but yet they
should be direct, professional and to the point. No
formal opening or closing remarks are needed since the
communication is between colleagues. The sender can
sign the memo using his initials, but in some organizations
it is customary to sign memos using the first name or
the complete name.
The memo format is strict, and if you search the web
for examples of memos, sample memos or business memos
you will generally find very similar memo formats.
The memo format consists of a header in which the word
"memo" or "memorandum" is written,
the date, the recipient, the sender, the subject and
the text.
Even
the basic graphics of business memos are strict, as
you will see on most examples of memos. The basic rules
are using plain paper, one inch margins around the page,
single spaced text, and two spaces between the paragraphs.
most memo examples and memo samples have more detailed
rules, but we strongly believe that in this day and
age this is unnecessary. In any case, all samples of
memos and memo examples on this site adhere to the strictest
rules and traditions - so you can rest assured.
But
the most important rule - and you will not always find
this on memo examples - is "keep is short and simple".
When writing a memo use simple words, short sentences
and one idea paragraphs.
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