Activity by Kate Newton

Description (for Instructions)

This asynchronous activity asks students to write a one-page memo addressed to future BTW students that contains guidelines for how to write a memo. This activity not only hones students’ familiarity with genre expectations in general, but it also 1.) develops their familiarity with the norms of memo-writing, 2.) provides practice with audience analysis, 3.) provides a pointed exercise in class reflection, and 4.) enhances students’ targeted research skills.

This activity is conducted via a submission tool on the course management system of the instructor’s choosing (i.e., Moodle, Canvas, etc.).

Materials

Instructions

Sample Memos

Student Readings

Cruthers, Arley. “Writing Memos.” Business Writing for Everyone, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 7 May 2020, kpu.pressbooks.pub/businesswriting/chapter/writing-memos/.

Indeed Editorial Team. “A Complete Guide to Memo Writing (With Tips and Examples).” Indeed, 26 Apr. 2019, indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/memo-writing-guide.

Explanation (for Students)

1.) Write a memo: Write a one-page (single-spaced) memo addressed to future students of BTW 250 that provides them with guidelines for how to write a memo. Be sure to cover memo format, structure, and content. You’ll have to decide how to describe memos based on:

The articles you read for today:
Cruthers, Arley. “Writing Memos.” Business Writing for Everyone, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 7 May 2020, kpu.pressbooks.pub/businesswriting/chapter/writing-memos/.
Indeed Editorial Team. “A Complete Guide to Memo Writing (With Tips and Examples).” Indeed, 26 Apr. 2019, indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/memo-writing-guide.
Other information you have about memos from classes or work experience
The sample memos you can find on our course Moodle site (optional)

Some of the sample memos and articles will disagree on minor points. When ruling between conflicting guidelines, focus on providing guidelines that you think a student in BTW 250 could use to write a successful Strengths and Goals Memo.

2.) Receive feedback: You’ll receive full participation credit for submitting your memo. However, I’ll also give you feedback on your memos based on:

Structure and format
Professional tone
Clarity
“You-attitude” (providing content that would matter to BTW 250 students in a manner that they would appreciate)