Memo style and format
Memos are institutional instruments of persuasion and planning. They demonstrate competence and convince others. They share in the corporate or institutional culture, and so may have many different acceptable styles and formats.
Although there are many different styles, for all memos:
1. Perfect spelling and grammar are the norm.
2. Marshaling of evidence, providing alternatives, buttressing recommendations and statements with strong arguments based upon research, arguing to a clear and easily followed conclusion, are marks of good memos. Be clear and strong in your writing.
3. The more concise, without becoming cryptic, the better.
4. The style of the memo is formal, clear, and professional. No contractions, no sentences beginning with “This” without referents, no colloquialisms. Write as though the memo will be seen by everyone in the organization for the next two years. It should be understandable by non-technical readers.
5. Citations for print and online sources should be embedded in the text, with sufficient information so that the reader can find the source. For websites, remember to date both the information and access.
6. Memos are short (4-5 pages) in a reasonable font (10 or 12 point)
7. Memos demonstrate solid research.
8. Use appendices for pricing documentation, diagrams, pictures, and other apparatus.
9. A good memo style uses bullets, single spacing, visual delineators, paragraphing, white space, horizontal rules, tables, and other cues to facilitate organization and understanding.
10. The memo is written for your director, who is not technical. Yet the memo should demonstrate a clear understanding and command of the technical issues.
Since E-readers are gaining popularity, I proposed that my fictional library start circulating E-readers to patrons. I looked at three different types of popular E-readers, made comparisons and then looked at the research to see what would be the best choice for my library as far as functionality and budget. I then discussed how the new technology would be introduced into the library. Check out a copy of my memo, complete with a side by side comparison of the Nook, Kindle and Sony E-reader. You may be surprised at which E-reader I chose to adopt at my library!
E-Reader Memo
