Format for Memoranda

Although every organization has its own format for memos, the heading generally consists of a series of lines with clear labels (followed by colons).

Date: (date on which memo is sent)
To: (person or persons to whom it is primarily addressed)
cc: (names of anyone else who receives a copy)
From: (name of the writer)
Subject: or Re: (concise, accurate statement of the memo’s topic)

The subject line often determines whether a memo is read. (The old-fashioned abbreviation Re: for regarding is still used, but we recommend the more common Subject.) Accurately sum up the topic in a few words (“Agenda for 12/10 meeting,” “Sales estimates for new product line”).