Professional Report Writing Arthur C. Nelson, Ph.D, FAICP Presidential Professor & Director Metropolitan Research Center University of Utah

Cover Title Attractive images Firm name Date

Letter of Transmittal C11C Chapter 11 Consultants 1400 E. 1500 S Suite 6200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84908 801.581.8000 Andrew and Joyce Plunkett 9 East Walnut Street Alexdandria,VA 22301 Firm name, address, etc. Thank you for the work. What the report does. Available for more work. Signed by you. Harley Davidson President & CEO We make our money when you lose yours.

Table of Contents Contents References Appendices Tables Figures

Executive Summary Overall issue. Purpose of report. Summary of findings. Implications.

Introduction Context. Challenge, need. How the report is organized. Central findings. Conclusions.

Section Purpose and general organization. Consistent table format. Table data sourced. Key findings from tables discussed but not the details.

Section Key findings from tables discussed but not the details. Tables and text have “breathing” room. Some footnotes needed to qualify assumptions.

Section Section is summarized and key findings or implications discussed. Transition to next section.

Conclusion Remind reader why study is important. Highlight key findings. Can “bullet”. Implications of study. End on a high note or challenge.

References Consistent format. Use any style. Recommend “Brookings” style.

Figures Figure number and title at bottom. Sourced. Figure 5. Analysis of Ripeness for Conversion of Developed Nonresidential Parcels Source: City of Fort Collins