Memorandum

A specific type of memorandum is the policy briefing note (alternatively referred to in various jurisdictions and governing traditions as policy issues paper, policy memoranda, or cabinet submission amongst other terms), a document for transmitting policy analysis into the political decision making sphere. Typically, a briefing note may be denoted as either “for information” or “for decision”.

The origins of the term “briefing” lie in legal “briefs” and the derivative “military briefings”.^[6] The plural form of the Latin noun memorandum so derived is properly memoranda, but if the word is deemed to have become a word of the English language, the plural memorandums, abbreviated to memos, may be used. (See also Agenda, Corrigenda, Addenda).

“The word memorandum come from the Latin, from the verb remind in Latin (memorare). For the decade 1540 meant the note itself. This word was introduced in Spain in the year 1824. This type of document is usually use in the business world, or official documents. The items for do this document are the next: This document must be brief, the information that you want to transmit must be clear and concise, it’s don´t need request. Finally, when writing a memo, it is necessary to identify the sender and the receiver, to identify the subject matter. Add the place where it was written and the date.”

There are many important purposes of a memorandum. Bringing notice to problems, and helping to solve a problem through clear and concise communication are two.^[7] Memos support decision making and to “help (or sometimes influence) a decision-maker to make a better decision in a particular problem situation than he might otherwise have made without the analysis”.^[8] Other purposes that the briefing note can serve include: conveying information; informing decisions, making a request, providing a response to a question, making a suggestion, presenting an informal report, proposing a solution to a problem, or documenting a reference for future use. Memorandums can be used to make brief appeals or give suggestions. These actions in a brief paper can help significantly expedite business actions to make a positive impact in an organization.

As the communication mechanism of the policy analysis process, the briefing note should provide a coherent synopsis of a policy problem, identify different policy options for addressing the problem, articulate opposing perspectives and advocate a recommended option. The typical structure for a briefing note includes a description of the proposed policy; relevant background information; a discussion of key considerations (including implementation concerns, financial considerations, stakeholder impacts, and possible unanticipated consequences), a summary of arguments for and against the policy and a recommended decision. Policy documents that start with a proposal and assemble an argument for that position are more accurately referred to as a government white paper. A government green paper which raises a policy option and is meant to open a dialogue on the proposal is more similar in tone to a briefing note than is a white paper.

A memo's concise format is relatively standardized in order to create accessibility to any reader. They open with a heading including a "to," "from," "date," and "subject". A break in the text would then be followed by an opening paragraph, which would more than likely describe the purpose of the memo. Context is then added to the document, followed by a section of specific actions. Examples could include "You asked that I look at...." or "To determine the best method of promoting the new fall line, I will....". Actions are followed by discussion, which is typically the longest part of a memo, before concluding the message.^[9]

There is no universal standard for a briefing note, but it is generally understood to be a concise, coherent summary of a public policy problem with a clearly articulated logic for following a recommended course of action. ”Next to a political nose, and a logical brain, the most important skill of the good treasury [person] resides in [their] fine drafting hand. The concise, coherent and penetrating note is the final expression of all other talents.”^[10] In many governance settings based on the Westminster system, policy analysts are expected to analyze the issue and write the briefing note from a neutral civil service perspective. However, the briefing note “for decision” must contain a recommendation, acknowledging that “to say anything of importance in public policy requires value judgments, which must be explained and justified”.^[11]

In addition to keeping a proper memo concise and easily comprehensible, there are a few other important features. The style and tone of a memo should always be kept professional, no matter who the audience may be.^[12] This etiquette ensures that no matter who reads the message, it is presented professionally and respectfully. It is common to also see briefing notes with numbered paragraphs, in order to create an efficient and well-organized paper.^[13] Since entering the digital age, signatures are not commonly seen at the end of a memo. However, when a briefing note was handwritten in earlier years, they typically included a signature.^[14] Today it is still acceptable to sign or initial a memo if the writer wishes to.  

 

Look up memorandum or file in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Bench memorandum
• Grey literature
• Memorandum of agreement
• Memorandum of association
• Memorandum of conversation
• Memorandum of understanding
• Mémoire
• Presidential memorandum
• Private Placement Memorandum
• Note taking

 

Look up memorandum in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• RPI.edu, The Writing Center: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.^{[dead link‍]}
• Washington.edu, Memorandum Writing, Patrick, Richard F. Elmore, Laurie Werner.
• How to Write Briefing Notes, Parkinson, Robert B.
• Classic Format of a Briefing Note, Parkinson, Robert B.