Section outline

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    BADGE – Becoming a Digital Global Engineer

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    Intellectual Output

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    BADGE – Becoming a Digital Global Engineer
    Project 2019-1-FR01-KA203-063010 (167 512 512)

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    Writing memos - Objectives


    • After studying this lesson on writing memos, you will be able to

        • recognise different types;
        • use a clear structure and typical expressions;
        • write an effective memo.

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    Warm-up questions

                

      1. What is a memo?
      2. How is it different from an email?
      3. What is the purpose of a memo?

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    Did you know…

    • The word memorandum derives from Latin and means ‘to be remembered’. It was first used in the 15th century by merchants and lawyers and it was written at the top of notes and records (Cresswell, J., 2010). Nowadays, more often than not, the shortened form, memo, is used. Memos, once the main way to send messages to employees within companies, are now often sent in the form of an email or attached to emails. However, they differ from regular emails in a number of ways: memos are less personal, tend to be more direct and factual, and are written for a wide audience rather than one person. They are often printed and distributed in paper form, and may appear on staffroom notice-boards, etc., to be consulted by many people, possibly on more than one occasion. Memos may be written for various reasons, such as to announce changes, provide updates, remind staff, and call for action.

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    Reading

    • Since memos are often used to give employees information and may also be sent to address speculation among employees, they are written concisely, factually and without emotional language. They tend to get to the point quickly and are not time-consuming to read. The style can be either formal or neutral, depending on the message.

    • The structure of a memo Page

      Find out the typical structure of a memo and read the three sample memos. How are they connected?

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    Activities

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    Further practice

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    Bibliography and references

      • Brook-Hart, G. (2007). Business Benchmark Advanced. Student’s Book. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
      • Cresswell, J. (ed.). (2010). Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
      • Trappe, T. & Tullis, G. (2006). Intelligent Business Style Guide. Upper-Intermediate Business English. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
      • https://courses.lumenlearning.com/technicalwriting/chapter/memos/ , retrieved 09.04.20