Writing Nonroutine Reports Professor Stevens Amidon Department of English and Linguistics, IPFW

What is a non-routine report? These are variations of the report genre which are not a part of the normal routine require of the writer’s job.

Interview Report A kind of informational report in which you use an interview with a person to gather information. Purpose: To gather information Features: Describes the process Summarizes the results An example can be found on page 175 of your textbook.

Exception Report A kind of informational report in which you notify the reader of an action which deviated from the normal operation of your organization. Purpose: To inform the audience about the deviation, and perhaps to persuade the audience the deviation was justified, or unavoidable. Features: Describes the deviation Explains or justifies the deviation An example can be found on page 176 of your textbook.

Justification Report A kind of persuasive report in which you notify the reader of an action you are taking/or propose to take. Purpose: To persuade the audience a decision or proposal is sound Features: Describes the action or proposal Justifies the action or proposal An example can be found on pages 177-178 of your textbook.

Feasibility Report A kind of analytical report in which you inform the reader of the results of research you have undertaken to determine whether a project is worth undertaking. Purpose: To inform the audience of the potential consequences of a proposed action. Features: Describes the action or proposal Describes the research process Describes the findings Makes recommendations An example can be found on pages 179-181 of your textbook.

Staff Report A report produced by a manager’s staff. (catch-all category). Varies Examples: Research reports White papers describing new technologies Features: Vary Usually organized in a direct format An example can be found on page 182 of your textbook.

Press Release An informational report prepared by an organization to be read by the mass media. Purpose: To influence media coverage of an event or undertaking. Features: Very specific information is provided Organized in a special way: the inverted pyramid form An example can be found on page 184 of your textbook.

Executive Summaries A summary of a report or other information prepared for an executive. Usually accompanies a longer report, but sometimes are prepared to summarize legislation, or current trends.(i.e. President’s daily briefing by Director of Central Intelligence). Purpose: To condense important information into a quickly readable format. Features: Usually a direct organizational approach, even if the report summarized is indirect. Should include the issue, findings, and recommendations. An example can be found on page 186 your textbook.

Business Proposals A kind of persuasive report in which you are proposing a business plan or action. Purpose: To persuade the audience to support the plan or action in some way. Features: Solicited: response to an RFP Unsolicited: initiated by the writer or organization. Examples can be found on pages 188-190 of your textbook.