Report Format Title Page, Letter of Transmittal, and Table of Contents

Title Page The title page of a document records the report title, writer, reader and the date of submission. Some organizations have a standard title page format.

Format for Title Page If your organization does not have a standard format. Title of the report, centered in the top third of the page, Title of the report, centered in the top third of the page, Name, title, and company of the primary reader or readers, centered in the middle of the page, Name, title, and company of the primary reader or readers, centered in the middle of the page, Name, title, and company of the writer, centered in the bottom third of the page, Name, title, and company of the writer, centered in the bottom third of the page, Submission date of the report, centered directly below the writer’s name. Submission date of the report, centered directly below the writer’s name.

Title Page Tips for creating a title page. Do not make the primary title longer than 5 words, Do not make the primary title longer than 5 words, Use key words that identify the subject quickly, Use key words that identify the subject quickly, Use San Serif font for larger fonts (i.e. Title of Report) Use San Serif font for larger fonts (i.e. Title of Report)

Letter of Transmittal The letter of transmittal (or memo) is a brief letter that “sends” the report to the reader. It is often found before the title page.

Letter of Transmittal usually contains The title of the report, The title of the report, The purpose of the report, The purpose of the report, The name and title of person or people who requested the report, The name and title of person or people who requested the report, A summary of the main subject of the report A summary of the main subject of the report Relevant facts or details Relevant facts or details Acknowledgement to people who contributed to the report (other than the writers) Acknowledgement to people who contributed to the report (other than the writers) Mention of any planned future reports Mention of any planned future reports Thanks to the reader for support, Thanks to the reader for support, Recommendations. Recommendations.

Table of Contents List of topics and supplemental elements. Shows primary headings Shows primary headings Shows some secondary headings Shows some secondary headings Shows page numbers or locations Shows page numbers or locations Shows organization of report Shows organization of report Shows supplemental materials and appendices Shows supplemental materials and appendices The table of contents follows the title page and is normally numbered as “ii” because the title page is considered “i”, while it is not numbered.

Table of Contents List all major headings with same wording as in the report, List all major headings with same wording as in the report, List all subsections, indented under major headings, if they are of importance to the reader, List all subsections, indented under major headings, if they are of importance to the reader, List all formal report elements: abstract, appendices, etc., List all formal report elements: abstract, appendices, etc., Include titles of appendices. Include titles of appendices.

Body of Report