Memorandum Format

A memorandum or a memo tends to have a very versatile and broad meaning. The usage of this term is also very broad and versatile with several meanings and senses being attached to it. There is no specified format of the memorandum and the contents and facts, change from context to context. Some specified documents have a legal format, that is to be strictly followed when the drafter formulates or drafts the documents.

About Memorandum

A memorandum though not exactly a contract, is a document that contains a certain legal force as the parties that are involved to it, always provide a sanction, the seal and signature on the document or any related document that implies or conveys the consent of all or either parties gives the memorandum a substantial backing. Let us imagine a cartoonist working for a newspaper is preparing to go for a set of tours and shows. In this case, his employing company can issue him a memorandum stating that he cannot redraw an image that has already appeared in the newspaper in the due course of the tour. This is a perfectly valid memorandum where in it is based upon another contract, that is the employment contract.

The second example is that of two companies collaborating for a certain project. Here in due course of business, employees of the companies would use memorandums to communicate the different business aspects of the business. The memorandum even in such a case carries a legal force. In certain cases, memorandums also flow within companies to maintain the work consistency of the employees. Thus in short, a memorandum, in short is a communication tool that carries a certain weight. It has to be written by default.

Memorandum Format Template

Here is a small template of the memorandum which you can download, modify and use while writing an actual memorandum.

Letter Head Heading _____________________________________________________________________________ To: From: Subject: Date: CC: Purpose ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Summary ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Background ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Conclusion ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________

Here's an explanation to this general format.

• A letter head is important as it not only enhances the presentation but it brings about a certain consistency in the communication but it also makes the memorandum more formal.
• The communication information is for the inter office convenience of the receiver as it reaches the receiver's desk properly. Apart from that, details such as subject and date add to the convenience of the receiver.
• The next aspect is the purpose, the purpose is usually written in a very small paragraph and is the central aspect of the memorandum, this paragraph, though short contains the principle aspects of the memorandum.
• The next paragraph is that of the background discussion of the entire document.
• The last part is of course conclusion and some later remarks.

A memorandum should be best presented in a crisp, precise and absolutely clear language. One should avoid giving alternatives and any vague figures or statements.