We explain what a memorandum is, its parts, function in organizations and characteristics. Also, multiple examples.
Memoranda are common in the corporate, diplomatic, and official world.What is a memo?
A memorandum or memorandum is a type of written communication, generally brief and of an official nature, through which an instance within a organization he communicates with another to make a request, reminder, instruction, etc., and usually on behalf of a hierarchical instance superior to his different subordinates.
The name "memorandum" is an adaptation of Latin (cultism) that comes from the verb memorare, "To remember", and used in Spanish since 1824. Its literal meaning would be something like "that deserves to be remembered" or simply "reminder". This type of communication is common in the corporate, diplomatic and official world, always covered with more formality than a simple note or letter.
Characteristics of a memo
In general terms, a memorandum is characterized by the following:
- It is a written communication and of formal dye, reason why it is usually printed on a paper with distinctive marks, or at the most have an official heading.
- It is usually brief, to the point (without detours), and communicate a requirement, notify a decision or instruct an order to the recipient.
- It is normally issued by an official body and is directed to their subordinates or assigned agents, or to people who may be interested in the information it contains.
- They are usually serialized or numbered, and once issued copies of it are usually archived as part of the bureaucratic history of the organization.
- They do not usually receive any kind of response, nor do they expect it. They are one-way communications.
Parts of a memo
The parts that make up a memorandum are, generally, the following:
- Organization letterhead, or official and formal header, detailing who is addressed and on behalf of whom.
- An internal numbering, together with the date and other variable data referring to the time of issuance of the information (time, place, etc.).
- The name of the document, that is, the title that explains what the communication is about.
- The text of that communicated, together with a farewell and the signature of the official or official authority behind the memorandum.
Memo examples
Some (hypothetical) examples of memoranda are:
- Memorandum # 1: communication from a company to its production department.
Los Angeles, October 7, 2019
[Company logo]
Memo # 00475
For: Production sector
From: Operational management
Reminder
The management warmly greets its workers in the production sector, on the occasion of reminding them of the industrial safety instructions detailed in the previous memorandum number # 00438, whose purpose is to ensure the correct handling of work materials and the minimum essential protection of the staff health. It should be remembered that if these measures are not followed, management may be required to take disciplinary action to reinforce them.
With no other particular to refer to
Lic. William Shotgun
Operational manager
- Memorandum # 2: training an army unit from its military base.
Base 0001 - 4653.6048
[Army logo]
[Shield of the nation]
Memorandum
Recipient: Armored Battalion 57 (Firefox)
Sender: General Command
Mr. Armored Battalion 57
Upon instruction from the General Command, the battalion is requested to move to the location coded as srh4875-fuagrp39-1937gfo for its participation in formal combat exercises.
Atte.
General command
Gen. Guillermo Foresco