Memo Writing Seminar CE 321 Lab Fall 2012

Lab Instructor: Aaron Wendzel

Online Survey

• 1 point extra credit on Final Memo

• Please do this now

• Website should have been e-mail to you

When Are Memos Used?

• Memos have a twofold purpose:

• Bring attention to problems

• Solve problems.

• Examples of Topics

• Report Results

• Instruct Employees

• Announce Policies

• Delegate Responsibilities

Parts of a Memo (1)

• Heading

• To: Name and Job Title

• Be formal even if you are informal other places

• From: Name and Job Title

• Date: When it is submitted

• Subject: What the memo is about

• Be specific, but straight to the point

• Length

• Approximately 1/8 of memo

Parts of a Memo (2)

• 1st Paragraph

• Opening

• Purpose

• Context

• Background

• Task

• What was to be accomplished

• Length

• Approximately 1/4 of memo

Parts of a Memo (3)

• 2nd Paragraph

• Discussion Segment

• Details that support conclusions

• Recommendations

• Important methods and resources used

• Persuade reader to follow recommended action

• Length

• Approximately 1/2 of memo

Parts of a Memo (4)

• 3rd Paragraph

• Closing segment

• What action you want the reader to take • Consider how the reader benefits

• Be Courteous

• Length

• Approximately 1/8 of memo

Parts of a Memo (5)

• Ending Information

• Indicate what is enclosed

• Indicate who else got the memo

• DO NOT SIGN

Parts of a Memo (6)

• Enclosure

• Detailed explanation of how you solved the problem

• Indicate the steps taken to solve the problem

• Show math calculations

• Excel Table

• Show example calculations

• Matlab

• Include script/function file

• Everything Must be Typed

Advice (1)

Wallace, 2004

Advice (2)

Wallace, 2004

Advice (3)

Wallace, 2004

Schedule

• No lab hours next week, but office hours will be held

• Tuesday 11:40-12:40 PM, 1535 EB

• Thursday 2:00-3:00 PM, 1535 EB

• Same groups as you had for Report 2

• Must come to next lab section

• Points will be deducted from your Memo grade if you don’t come

• Section 1

• Lab: November 27th (Tuesday) Room 1318

• Memo Due: November 28th in the CEE box by 2pm

• Section 2

• Lab: November 29th (Thursday) Room 1318

• Memo Due: November 30th in the CEE box by 2pm

References

• Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu. Handbook of Technical Writing. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009. Print.

• "The Online Writing Lab at Purdue (OWL)." Welcome to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2012. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/>.

• Wallace, Roger. "Advice for Technical Memos." Msu.edu. N.p., 16 Aug. 2004. Web. 31 Oct. 2012.

Questions?