To make sure that you understand what your boss is asking in his/her email or memo, you must determine the main purpose of it then you reply to your boss by paraphrasing his/her point to ensure clarity. Next, give him/her your plan by simplifying it to him/her the steps or procedure on how you will respond to his/her email or memo. Lastly, have an office mate read the email or memo so you can ask their opinion about it and you can confidently say that you got what your boss is asking.