1. Writing 500 International Student Entry Program
CAPSTONE TEACHING DEMONSTRATION
Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (PIDP)
Beth Soriano
20 March 2011

2. ENGAGING MEMO WRITING: Mind Mapping and Problem Solving as Tools A Lecture-Workshop

3. Learning Outcome: The students will be able to draft a mind map of a topic for a memo writing exercise and appreciate problem solving as a creative part of learning. 
Objectives:
Identify the purposes, general parts, and format of a business memo.
Showcase mind mapping as creative tool for preparing a memo.
Facilitate accomplishment of the assignment by providing guide steps for mind mapping and strategies for problem solving.

5. BREAK EACH SIDE OF THE EGG
STEP 1
BREAK EACH SIDE OF THE EGG

6. STEP 2

7. Note:
If the egg hasn’t popped out, use your fingers to gently separate the shell and membrane from the egg itself.

10. For students to see and know how looking at two sides of a problematic situation or issue fast tracks problem resolution.

12. Writing 500: Memos

13. PURPOSE They bring attention to problems. They solve problems.
Inform reader about new information like policy changes, price increases, etc.
Persuade the reader to take an action, such as attend a meeting, or change a current production procedure,etc.
Regardless of the specific goal, memos are most effective when they connect the purpose of the writer with the interests and needs of the reader.

14. AUDIENCE
Ensure that all of the people that the memo is addressed to need to read the memo
If it is an issue involving only one person, do not send the memo to the entire office.
Be certain that material is not too sensitive to put in a memo; sometimes the best forms of communication are face-to-face interaction or a phone call.
Memos are most effectively used when sent to a small to moderate amount of people to communicate company or job objectives.

15. PARTS OF A MEMO Heading 1/8 Opening Context 1/4 Task Summary 1/2
Discussion
Closing /8
Necessary Attachments

16. PARTS OF A MEMO Address the reader by the correct name and job title
Addressee: Use correct name and job title
Address the reader by the correct name and job title
HEADING SEGMENT
Subject: Be specific and concise

17. Opening Segment Sets the purpose of memo Includes overview of the ff:
Context and Problem
Specific Assignment
or Task

18. Context Event, circumstance, background of the problem you are solving
“Through market research and analysis…”

19. Task Segment Describe what you are doing to help solve the problem
If action is requested:
“You asked that I look at…”
If you want to explain intentions:
“To determine the best method of promoting the new fall line, I will….”

20. Summary Segment Not necessary unless memo is longer than a page
Brief statement of key recommendations reached
May include references to methods and sources used in research

21. Discussion Segments Longest portions of the memo
Include details that support ideas
Begin with most important information
Start with most general info to specific or supporting facts

22. Closing Segment
Close with courteous ending that states what action you want reader to take
“ I will be glad to discuss this recommendation with you during our Tuesday trip to the spa and follow through on any decisions you make.”

23. Necessary Attachments
Lists, graphs, tables,etc.
Refer attachments in
memo and add a
notation about what
is attached
Attached: Focus Groups Results, Jan-March 2011
Contributors: Guan Ze, Bruce; Wang, Jamie; Nguyen, Quang
Summary

24. FORMAT Follows general guidelines of business writing
Usually a page or two long
Single-spaced
Left justified
Skip a line between sentences
to show new paragraphs
Use headings

26. Let us work on the assignment!
Think of an organization/institution and a change it might be considering
Identify a topic and arrange a relevant survey of a small group of consumers
Write a memo describing your findings
Be ready to display your report in class

28. MINDMAPPING Think of an organization
Identify changes it might be considering
Identify a TOPIC
Choose your small group of respondents
Run a survey
Describe findings in a memo

29. QUESTIONS
How did you feel as you were going/observing through the activity?
Would you consider using mind mapping for your assignments?

33. MNEMONICS

35. CHECKLIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Learning Outcome: The students will be able to draft a mind map of a topic for a memo writing exercise and appreciate problem solving as a creative part of learning. 
Objectives:
Identify the purposes, general parts and format of a business memo.
Showcase mind mapping as creative tool for preparing a memo.
Facilitate accomplishment of the assignment by providing guide steps for mind mapping and strategies for problem solving.