You might be thinking to yourself$-$ when am I ever going to get a memo or send a memo? With all of the technology we have today, isn't it just easier to send something like an email, text or DM to someone? While this is true, a memo in the business world has a very specific purpose and is still used.

For example, when I taught at Edison High School my principal was a very intimidating figure. He used to stand by the sign$-$in sheet every morning so he could see which teachers were late so he could scowl at them. This principal used memos to help set an intimidating tone in the workplace.

When we made mistakes, with attendance, grades, exams, whatever the case, instead of sending us an email he sent us a memo. What was worse, he made the memo that informed us we were in trouble gold, so it stood out. So if you were going to the main office to check your mailbox you could see that gold memo from a mile away in your mailbox $($and you knew you were in trouble$).$ We referred to the memo as "the golden rod." The memo usually outlined the ways you messed up $($using reader$-$friendly lists and bullet points$)$ and asked you to schedule a conference with him.

So$,$ in this case, the memo was a very formal $($and traceable$)$ physical copy documenting an occurrence in the workplace. It went into your file and was addressed at your end$-$of$-$the year evaluation and may have even been brought up during discussion of tenure. It was much more formal than an email.

Do some research on your own and list three occasions in the workplace where a person would use a memo over an email or any other type of business correspondence.