The characteristics of effective correspondence holds true for memorandums.  Memorandums must be complete, clear, concise, accurate, prompt, and positive.  In style, they are slightly more formal than email, but less formal than letters.  A memorandum form contains the following headings:

• To
• From
• Date
• Subject

The word memorandum or an organisational name or logo may be included.  A copy notation indicated by the letter ‘c’ may follow the body of the memorandum.

Guidelines

N.B.  Each organisation has their own guidelines for writing memorandums.  Make sure you check the guidelines at your organisation as they may differ to the general guidelines.  E.g. some organisations do not allow you to use first names, you need to use Ms or Mr.

• Use the first name (or initials) and the last name of the individual to whom you are sending the memo
• Use the job title of the individual if company policy dictates doing so. Many organisations do not use titles in memos
• Do not use Ms or Mr
• If you are sending a memorandum to more than one individual, list the names in alphabetical order or by hierarchical order within the company
• List ‘c’ recipients alphabetically or hierarchically
• If you are addressing a memo to ten or more people, use a generic classification, such as Strategic Planning Team

If the memorandum is more than one page, key the additional pages on plain paper.  Include an appropriate header on additional pages