Memo Writing
Seminar
CE 321 Lab Fall 2012
Lab Instructor: Aaron Wendzel
Online Survey
• 1 point extra credit on Final Memo
• Please do this now
• Website should have been e-mail to you
When Are Memos Used?
• Memos have a twofold purpose:
• Bring attention to problems
• Solve problems.
• Examples of Topics
• Report Results
• Instruct Employees
• Announce Policies
• Delegate Responsibilities
Parts of a Memo (1)
• Heading
• To: Name and Job Title
• Be formal even if you are informal other places
• From: Name and Job Title
• Date: When it is submitted
• Subject: What the memo is about
• Be specific, but straight to the point
• Length
• Approximately 1/8 of memo
Parts of a Memo (2)
• 1st Paragraph
• Opening
• Purpose
• Context
• Background
• Task
• What was to be accomplished
• Length
• Approximately 1/4 of memo
Parts of a Memo (3)
• 2nd Paragraph
• Discussion Segment
•
•
•
•
Details that support conclusions
Recommendations
Important methods and resources used
Persuade reader to follow recommended action
• Length
• Approximately 1/2 of memo
Parts of a Memo (4)
• 3rd Paragraph
• Closing segment
• What action you want the reader to take
• Consider how the reader benefits
• Be Courteous
• Length
• Approximately 1/8 of memo
Parts of a Memo (5)
• Ending Information
• Indicate what is enclosed
• Indicate who else got the memo
• DO NOT SIGN
Parts of a Memo (6)
• Enclosure
• Detailed explanation of how you solved the
problem
• Indicate the steps taken to solve the problem
• Show math calculations
• Excel Table
• Show example calculations
• Matlab
• Include script/function file
• Everything Must be Typed
Advice (1)
Wallace, 2004
Advice (2)
Wallace, 2004
Advice (3)
Wallace, 2004
Schedule
• No lab hours next week, but office hours will be held
• Tuesday 11:40-12:40 PM, 1535 EB
• Thursday 2:00-3:00 PM, 1535 EB
• Same groups as you had for Report 2
• Must come to next lab section
• Points will be deducted from your Memo grade if you don’t come
• Section 1
• Lab: November 27th (Tuesday) Room 1318
• Memo Due: November 28th in the CEE box by 2pm
• Section 2
• Lab: November 29th (Thursday) Room 1318
• Memo Due: November 30th in the CEE box by 2pm
References
• Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu.
Handbook of Technical Writing. Boston: Bedford/St.
Martins, 2009. Print.
• "The Online Writing Lab at Purdue (OWL)." Welcome to
the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL).
N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2012.
<http://owl.english.purdue.edu/>.
• Wallace, Roger. "Advice for Technical Memos." Msu.edu.
N.p., 16 Aug. 2004. Web. 31 Oct. 2012.
Questions?