Email is best for informal, internal communication while memos are more formal. If the communication could seriously impact the recipient, public, or company, a formal memo is preferable. Memos include identifying information like recipient, author, date and subject at the top, with the main point at the beginning of the content and a concluding paragraph. Emails focus on a concise subject line, recipient, message body, and signature with or without attachments. Both emails and memos should be concise and avoid long-windedness, stating the reason for writing up front.

1. Memo or e-mail? TiffianyRios

2. Ok, so you need to communicate Communicating in the workplace can be confusing if you are not given guidelines.

3. Level of formality Some internal emails and memos can be more friendly and conversational than outgoing documents. If the email / memo has a serious consequence for you, the reader, the public, or the company, formal is best.

4. Choosing between email and a memo

5. The purpose If the situation meets criteria in both categories, you can send the message as a memo attached to an email message.

6. Email’s key elements Subject Line Recipient Message Content Signature Attachments

7. Email tips Subject Line Concise and Specific Only use CAPS if message is urgent Content Brevity State Your Reason for Writing in the first few sentences. No Longer than One Screen Use Block Formatting

8. Memo’s Key Elements Identifying Information To From Subject Date

9. Key elements of memo content Main Point / Thesis at The Beginning Introductory Paragraph (Background/Context/ Overview) One Central Idea per Body Paragraph Concluding Paragraph That Restates the Message

10. Types of memos Directive Progress Status Trip Reports / Field Reports Response Lab Reports Meeting Minutes

11. Remember Email and Memo’s are NOT private or confidential! CAUTION NO PRIVACY AHEAD