[Business writing] Memorandum

 

Business writing

• 1st impression
• clear & brief (blunt)
• don't be creative, be tactful
• think of your tone (semi-formal)
• think of your audience

 

Pronouns: I, you, we

• "we" only use when you're representing your company
• starting an opinion use "I"

 

Active vs. Passive Voice

• the best writers achieve a style that their message can't be misunderstood.
• to be clear avoid the passive voice

       e.g. The net benefits of divesture were grossly over-estimated. (x)

               The global finance team grossly overestimated the net benefits of divesture. (o)

• starting a mistake, use the passive voice.

 

Memorandum

• Prepare (Before writing)
• think/consider your audience
• semi-formal (tone)
• clear language
• use the active voice
• no longer than 1 page
• for confidential information avoid the memorandum -face to face-

 

# Primary Purpose of Memorandum:

• to communicate with a large # of employees or members another organization
• connects employees in an effective, concise method that connects the writer with the interests/needs of the recipients.

 

# Purposes for Memorandums

• policy change
• promotions
• personnel changes
• project status update
• offering products/services to employees
• request employees
• provide feedback

February 7, 2012 (TUE)

- Paul Kim's writing class