Editing Memorandum (section)

{{Short description|Written message, typically in a professional setting}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Memoranda|the information manager software|Memoranda (software)}}
[[File:6-00 PM Energy Meeting (11-2-77) - NARA - 142151.tif|right|thumb|Memo written by a [[White House]] staff member during the tenure of [[Jimmy Carter]] as [[President of the United States|US president]]]]

A '''memorandum''' ({{plural form}}: '''memorandums'''<ref>{{cite web|website=oxfordreference.com|year=2024|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780190491482.001.0001/acref-9780190491482-e-5068|title=memorandums; memoranda}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/memorandum|title=memorandum|website=dictionary.com|year=2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorandum|title=memorandum|website=merriam-webster.com|year=2024}}</ref> or '''memoranda'''; from the [[Latin]] ''memorandum'', "(that) which is to be remembered"), also known as a '''briefing note''', is a [[Writing|written]] [[message]] that is typically used in a professional setting. Commonly [[abbreviation|abbreviated]] '''''memo''''', these messages are usually brief and are designed to be easily and quickly understood. Memos can thus communicate important information efficiently in order to make dynamic and effective changes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lab|first=Purdue Writing|title=General Introduction // Purdue Writing Lab|url=https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/memos/index.html|access-date=2021-09-22|website=Purdue Writing Lab|language=en|archive-date=2021-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026125940/https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/memos/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  

In [[law]], a memorandum is a record of the terms of a transaction or contract, such as a policy memo, [[memorandum of understanding]], [[memorandum of agreement]], or [[memorandum of association]]. In business, a memo is typically used by firms for internal communication, while [[Letter (message)|letters]] are typically for external communication.

Other memorandum formats include briefing notes, reports, letters, and binders. They may be considered [[grey literature]]. Memorandum formatting may vary by office or institution. For example, if the intended recipient is a [[Minister (government)|cabinet minister]] or a senior executive, the format might be rigidly defined and limited to one or two pages. If the recipient is a colleague, the formatting requirements are usually more flexible.<ref>[[Gary Blake]] and [[Robert W. Bly]], ''The Elements of Technical Writing'', pg. 113. [[New York City|New York]]: [[Macmillan Publishers (United States)|Publishers]], 1993. {{ISBN|0020130856}}</ref>