Meaning and Definition of Memorandum or Memo | Concept and What is.

What is a Memorandum or Memo?

The memorandum, originally known as memo, is a written document that is used in an enterprise to communicate internally. The purpose of this document is the transfer of information briefly. It is defined as a formal, quick release but without the need for a firm, which deals with a matter of urgency to take account, in the brief and summary form. The term comes from the latin memorandum, which means "something that should be remembered". Also in the office, it is known as a "memo".

The memorandum is a useful way of communicating within an institution to convey briefly the important matters that concern to this institution. Since it is a document of internal character by nature, it is used for the transmission of information between the departments of the same company or between the workers of the same. It can be used by any of them, no matter the hierarchy. An effective and fast way to claim or to provide the information, is considered so in many sectors and in public services, has managed to replace other documents, such as notes.

As mentioned, the memorandum transmits information, which normally includes instructions, orientation, requests, reports, responses, warnings, etc., everything that is important to keep in mind between offices or departments, to a problem or situation of transcendence. Although it is a rather informal document, in comparison with the memories or the notes, it is necessary that it be drafted in precise, clear, and concise way. It must take into account that it should be written in third person, avoiding making it in the first person. It should refer only to the treated topic, not including things that are not related. Only the positive construction must be used. Avoid the rodeos and the use of long sentences that may impair the rapid understanding of the topic.

In terms of content, a memorandum includes letterhead, the title of the document indicating that it is a memorandum, the place and the date of issuance, the data of the sender and the recipient (including their charges), the subject of the document, content or body, firm foot and end references.

In practice, the structure of an example of memorandum may include the following lines: 1 - for: the name in question, 2-CC: (carbon copy to whom it may concern), 3 - of: who sends him, 4-date: date of the memo, 5-issue: the reason for the document. Then would come the message, very short, one or two paragraphs by than usual, and at the end simply by a "thank you for your attention" or any phrase for style. There are no standards for the memorandum for not being a document from the more formal, so the topic is fairly free, and what is being sought is to go to the grain in the easiest way possible to communicate the message.

Translated for educational purposes.