Tips for a good memo body (additional):
• The body of the memo carries a clearly structured message, which is often written in short numbered paragraphs. The body, including the subject sentence, should be blocked to the left margin. The body should be written in plain English to present readers with an objective and factual description of the topic.
✓ A memo written to someone less familiar, particularly to someone in a higher position in the company, can be as formal as any formal business letters.
• Memorandum: a Latin word which means “thing to be remembered”. Here it refers to a written record or communication, as in a business office.
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Chapter 13
Memos and Minutes
备忘录与会议记录
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ቤተ መጻሕፍቲ ባይዱ
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Chapter
Memos and Minutes
Contents of this chapter
I. Introduction II. Sample Analysis III. Sample Contrast IV. Useful Patterns and Sentences
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1. Memos
A good memo body shall:
• Be brief. As a tool of efficient internal communication, memos should be concise. You can only convey what you intend to say. You should avoid redundancy in your message.
• Memo (or Memorandum)—It is the word written at the top center of the paper.
• To—It is followed by the name of the receiver. • From—It is followed by the name of the sender. • Date—It is usually written in “Month Day, Year” form.
It is better not to write the month in abbreviated form. • Subject—It is the topic of the memo. It must be brief
and clear. • Body—It is the message itself and often written briefly.
Memos and Minutes
1. Memos
• It usually omits the letterhead, salutation, complimentary close and signature that are commonly used in business letters. It is efficient because it conveys the author's ideas quickly and directly to the reader.
1. Memos 2. Minutes
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Memos and Minutes
1. Memos
• Memo, short for memorandum, is a simple and efficient message that is used to remind people of or draw people’s attention to certain matters.
• Have a single topic. An effective memo usually discuses a single topic; thus the reader may concentrate on the subject.
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1. Memos
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1. Memos
A good memo body shall:
• Use a conversational tone.
✓ Since the reader and the author are familiar, you may use ordinary words, first-person pronouns, but it doesn’t mean that you can be casual with your writing.
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Memos and Minutes
I. Introduction
• The letters we discussed in the previous chapters are mostly written communication between companies, while memos and minutes are common forms of communication within a company.
• A memo may communicate information, announce policies, instruct employees, make requests or offer advice.
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Memos and Minutes
1. Memos
A well-written memo usually consists: