Natural Resource Biometrics

Memo Formats

You may need to communicate with the teacher to describe an idea. You can do this with a memo. Memos are used in the work world outside academia. This format should be used for either paper memos or e-mail. Memos should follow the following format:

Date:      Date of memo

To:         The Recipient

From:     Your Name

Subject: General Subject

First Paragraph -  Main point. The first sentence of a memo should clearly state the issue you want to address. You can elaborate as needed.

Middle Paragraph(s) -  Details. The second and if needed third paragraph(s) are the place for details that explain your ideas related to the first sentence stated above.

Last Paragraph -  What you want the recipient to do. The last paragraph should be a Call to Action. What are you asking the recipient of the memo to do as a result of this memo?  (e.g. make a suggestion on a project, approve the project, schedule a meeting, or announce a meeting).

An effective memo is concise, clear and to the point.  This type of memo will get you the results you desire.