备忘录是一种正式公文。它结构清晰、阅读方便、传递迅速、经常为公司或团体所使用。它主要用来提醒、督促对方，或就某个问题提出自己的意见和看法。在业务上，它一般用来补充正式文件的不足。大多数备忘录的特点是简明扼要，语言一定要准确，避免产生歧义。
备忘录主体部分和信函的主体部分几乎一样，只是省略其中的礼貌结语。通常第一句就要明白交代写此备忘录的目的，如果是回复对方，则需要注明对方备忘录的日期，如：This is further to your memo dated June 6,in which you proposed that...（这是回复你6月6日的备忘录，你提出的...）。备忘录的最后用一句话总结，强调读到的人要尽快做出反应。另外，备忘录不需要结束语和签名。
一.备忘录格式模板
Date:（日期，需要大写，如January 9,20xx）
To:（收信人）
From: （发信人）
Subject: （主题）
... ...（正文，阐明写作原因。常采用回答问题的方式，回答who，what，when，where，and why。）
二.标准范文
Directions: You are an active memeber of the student newspaper. The newspaper is currently looking for a journalist for the summer semester. Write a memo that will appear in the newspaper next week describing the position available.
Date: May 10
To: All students
From: Li Ming
Subject: Recruiting Journalist for The Summer Semester
【why】The student newspaper is currently looking for a journalist for the summer semester. 【who】Applicants should be studying at the university, and should preferably have at least two years' writing experience.
【what】The successful applicant will be excepted to write two articles every week on happenings in the city or on campus. 【when】The position will commence at the end of May. 【where】If you are interested, please send your resume to the campus newspaper office right now.