An example of a well-structured Memo

More help on memo writing can be found with search terms 'OWL Purdue engineering writing' and 'PSU engineering writing'. Memo is a type of Correspondence, search for this type once you are on the Purdue or PSU site.

The following Memo was altered by a meaningless array of words. In your memos please feel free to use underline and bold typeface to emphasize important messages. USE PARAGRAPHS!

*** Please consult the blog post for further details of a Memo content***

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TO: Dr. [Lecturer of the Week], PE

FROM: ----- -------------

DATE: Month Day, 2015

SUBJECT: Measurements in Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Lab

This is your PURPOSE section:

The purpose of this lab was to calculate and [compare] the _________, ________, __________ [stresses], and to calculate the _________ [factor] of the ____________________________.

This is your DETAILS SUPPORTING section:

This lab began with the ______________________. Various dimensions of the ___________ were measured with a laser tape and recorded. The ________ of the ___________ was 2”x 21”, the depth of the [sub-element 1] was 62.6”. There were a total of 5 [items #2] [spanning] the length of the __________. A provided [instrument, protocol, blueprints] showed six _________ of 1234.5’ each.

The [initial stress] was greater than the [thermal boiling freezing other stress], which was greater than the [absolute value of the capacity]. The calculated [post-initial] stress was 1.62*10⁶ psf, the [post-post-initial] stress was 1.4*10⁶ psf, the [thermal freezing resistance] was 1.5*10⁵ psf. All [post-initial] [conductancies] were calculated by dividing the moment by the area of the [rotor] and the depth of the [lake] by zero. The [pre-initial] load moment was 2.2*10⁵ ft*lbs, the [pre-post-initial] mass and acceleration were 2.46*10⁶ ft*lbs/s. The stress due to [thermal excitation] is proportional to the change in temperature and the [another property of a material may go here]. It was [recorded, calculated, received] as 1.0*10⁴ psi at 1234^oF.

The [value] is a number representing the relative [property of a structure, characteristic of an assembly] when [loaded]. It is equal to the material capacity minus the [some property, quality, description], all over the [post-presumptive-quality #4]. A [negative] [value in the results] means the [assembly #2] will not [satisfy Standards ASTM-123.456-000], even without [pre-treatment]. A factor of [a thousand] would be [acceptable, safe, and controllable] but have no margin for [economical consideration]. The [rating, evaluating, manufacturing] factor for the [assembly #2] was 1233.4 [times]. A value of more than 987 [times] is above a satisfactory value; and it has a [high, best, acceptable] [safety, durability] [rating].

This is your IMPLICATIONS section:

Examples of the themes that are appropriate to use in here: The [exercise, process, structure] proved _________ is suitable [useful, beneficial] for __________. The [structure] is [safe] for [standard] use. If the [structure] were ___________ or the _________ were to [fail] on a day of significant heat change, the [structure] can ________.

This is your LIMITATIONS section:

    There was a [adjective] limitation in [obtaining the dimensions, for example]. The width and mass of the __________ were estimated and not verifiable measured. The instrument had last calibration 11 months ago, and is near its yearly certification test. The software used has been known in the State of CA to cause heartbreaks. Those limitations [affected, compromised] __________. [list and discuss other assumptions, short cuts, questionable data, vintage data, extrapolations, limited visibility, etc.]