Business Correspondence

Concept: In official communication, different types of documents are used depending on the purpose and level of formality. Office Orders, Office Memorandums, D.O. letters, and Office Notes are commonly used formats in administrative and organizational communication. 1. Office Orders Definition: Office Orders are formal instructions issued by an authority to convey administrative decisions within an organization. Features:

• Used for internal communication.
• Issued by higher authority.
• Contains clear instructions or decisions.
• Formal and authoritative tone.
• Used for postings, transfers, duties, or rules.

2. Office Memorandum (O.M.) Definition: An Office Memorandum is a formal means of communication used to convey information, policies, or clarifications within departments or between government offices. Features:

• Used for inter-departmental communication.
• Written in formal style.
• No salutation or complimentary close.
• Includes subject and reference number.
• Used for policies, clarifications, and guidelines.

3. Demi-Official (D.O.) Letters Definition: Demi-official letters are semi-formal communications written by officials in a personal yet official capacity to ensure quick and effective communication. Features:

• Semi-formal tone.
• Personal style but official purpose.
• Includes salutation and complimentary close.
• Used to speed up decisions or follow-ups.
• Often written between officers of similar rank.

4. Office Notes Definition: Office Notes are internal written remarks or observations recorded on files for decision-making and documentation purposes. Features:

• Used for internal processing of files.
• Written in brief and precise form.
• Helps in recording opinions or suggestions.
• Used in hierarchical decision-making.
• Not meant for external communication.

Conclusion: Office Orders, Memorandums, D.O. letters, and Office Notes serve different purposes in official communication, ranging from formal instructions to internal remarks and semi-formal correspondence.