Writing a Memo Report Writing a Memo Report

Overview What is a Memo Report? What is it about? What is it like? Contents: Introduction, Body, Conclusion, End Sample Introduction http://www.che.utah.edu/~geoff/writing/memo_sample.pdf Writing a Memo Report

What is the difference? Letter Report Memo Report Formal Report An informal report mailed to a colleague or client outside your office Printed on letterhead and physically signed Memo Report An informal report printed, duplicated or emailed for a colleague or supervisor within your company Often duplicated or sent electronically Formal Report Archive of all the work on a multi-month project Writing a Memo Report

What is a Memo Report about? Progress on a project, especially as regards a specific portion Results of one portion of a project Results that may affect the remainder of a project Results that require a response before a project can move forward Results of a small project Writing a Memo Report

Characteristics Contains 3-5 pages Contains 0-3 tables and/or 0-3 figures Separate sections is optional Depends on the length of the memo (put in long memos) Does not provide a written background or theoretical basis (this is done with references) Contains no nomenclature section Defines symbols as they are introduced Provides only the most pertinent equations Does not contain a “Literature Cited” list at the end but footnotes at bottom of each page. Writing a Memo Report

Characteristics - II Concise Writing! choose words carefully avoid repetition Remember this is short but information rich! Writing a Memo Report

Contents—Address Memorandum Title To: Recipient (Prof. Ring or Prof. Zhang) Make sure you include everyone! From: Sender (you) Date: January 25, 2017 RE: Title Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger Analysis Cc: Recipients in Chain of Command No Salutation (Dear: ) Writing a Memo Report

Contents—Introduction Introductory paragraph/s Contains a brief explanation of the experiment and its objective, but does not delve into details already known by the recipient (like where the lab is, who gave the assignment, etc.) Ends with a summary of the results Writing a Memo Report

Contents: Body Body paragraph/s Describes pertinent equipment Narrates important points of procedure Explains problems encountered Provides an analysis and discussion of results (this is the longest section) Writing a Memo Report

Contents: Conclusion Closing paragraph/s Makes recommendations based on the discussion Clear reasoning must explain why you are making the recommendations and conclusions you make Contains references as footnotes (provide publication information in footnote) Writing a Memo Report

Contents: End Matter After the Conclusion (appendix) Background tables or figures Raw data Sample Calculations Error analysis Writing a Memo Report

Sample Introduction During the period from January 6 to January 27, 1992, the members of Group F calibrated and evaluated the performance of an Omega Model HX93V relative-humidity and temperature transmitter (Omega Engineer, Stamford Connecticut). The transmitter was calibrated with an Omega HX92-CAL relative-humidity calibration kit, and its accuracy was tested with various solutions of ethylene glycol and water ranging from 10% to 100% relative humidity (RH). The transmitter was accurate to within 5% RH at higher relative humidities (>50%) but was not accurate to within 5% RH at humidities lower than 50%. The transmitter's performance in a moving airstream at temperatures greater than room temperature was also investigated. A cardboard tube and an air blower containing a heating element supplied a suitable stream of heated, humid air. A brief summary of the calibration and the results of our performance evaluation follow. … . Writing a Memo Report