1. Chapter 8 Writing Formal Reports, Business Plans, and White Papers
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

2. Learning Objectives
Distinguish between term papers and formal reports.
Compare and contrast primary and secondary research.
List and discuss the parts of a formal report.
Describe the differences between a bibliography and a list of works cited.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

3. Learning Objectives Explain the role of headings in a formal report.
Differentiate between past and present tense and know when to use each in a formal report.
Compare and contrast MLA and APA styles of attribution.
Explain the difference between tables and figures.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

4. Learning Objectives List the guidelines for preparing tables.
Define pie chart, line chart, horizontal bar graph, and vertical bar graph.
Become acquainted with some guidelines regarding writing a business plan.
Learn when and where to write a white paper.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

5. Formal Business Reports
Use headings to improve readability.
Rely mainly on primary research.
Incorporate secondary research to support primary research.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. 76

6. Parts of a Formal Report
Cover
Title Page
Letter of Authorization
Letter of Transmittal
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. 77

7. Parts of a Formal Report (cont.)
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Summary, Abstract, Executive Brief, Epitome, or synopsis
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. 78

8. Executive Summary Discusses the conclusions and recommendations.
Provides the implications.
Identifies the writer and the purpose.
Details the report’s contribution.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

9. Introduction Background and Problem Scope of the Report
Limitations of the Report
Sources and Methods of Data Collection
Organization of the Report
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. 79

10. Bibliography or Works Cited
Footnotes or endnotes
All sources included
Works Cited
MLA or APA
List of sources cited
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. 80

11. Style and Format Headings Paragraphs Impersonal Style Transitions
Tense
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. 82

12. Headings Use headings for easier reading.
Always have at least one sentence separating headings.
Never place two levels of headings together without text separating them.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. 81

13. Attribution Three Common Forms: Footnotes at bottom of each page
Endnotes on separate page following last text page
Internal attribution — author and year, or numbers in text
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved. 83

14. Graphics Tables Figures Pie chart Line chart
Horizontal or vertical bar graph
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

15. Business Plan Defines your business. Identifies your goals.
Serves as your organization’s resume.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

16. Parts of a Business Plan
Title Page
Executive Summary
Company Description
Product/Service Offering
Marketing Plan
Financial Plan
Appendix
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

17. Business Plan Writing Tips
Avoid unnecessary jargon.
Economize on words.
Use short crisp sentences and bullet points.
Check spelling.
Concentrate on relevant and significant issues.
Break text into numbered paragraphs or sections.
Relegate detail to appendices.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

18. White Papers Standard marketing tool.
First external source of information.
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.

19. Parts of a White Paper Title Page Executive Overview or Introduction
Body
Conclusion and Recommendations
Roebuck: Improving Business Communication, 4th edition. (c) 2006, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ All Rights Reserved.