1. Definitions and Classification: Background Reports
Prepared by:
Dalal Oubraim
Ilhame Majdi
Mounia Khelloufi
Mounia Reda

2. Background Report Primary Research Report Feasibility Report
Evaluation Report
Recommendation Report

3. Background Report
Background reports provide background on a topic. They solves real workplace problems and respond to real workplace needs.
Background reports focus on a specific topic meeting specific audience needs.
The two essential infrastructures of the background reports are definition and classification.

4. Background Report
Technical background reports solve workplace problems by providing information on a topic, satisfiying the needs of the readers.
Example: In 1999, HP company wrote a background reports about the use of « nanotechnology » for its clients.

5. STEP 1: Build a team (As with other types of reports)
Background Report
STEP 1: Build a team (As with other types of reports)

6. Background Report
Step 2: Find a project requiring a background report. (example: use of new technologies)
Example: For a technical background report about « nanotechnologies », there will be no recommendations, instructions or conclusions. There will be only introductory background information for readers.

7. Step 3: Analyze the audience and purpose
Background Report
Step 3: Analyze the audience and purpose
When you find a subject, think about the specific audience that might read the background report.
Taking our example on « nanotechnology », there might be investors, government officials, organizations, marketing analysts.

8. Step 4: Choose the « packaging » for the report
Background Report
Step 4: Choose the « packaging » for the report
Thinking about the design that will be used for the report, as a memo report, online report, report, or formal report.

9. Step 5: Narrow the topic for the report
Background Report
Step 5: Narrow the topic for the report
Summarize all the information gathered, using appropriate words to be undertood.

10. Step 6: Use the infrastructure to develop a tentative outline.
Background Report
Step 6: Use the infrastructure to develop a tentative outline.
Infrastructure: description,process, causes, effects, definition, classification and persuasion.
Example: « manufacturing at the molecular level ».

11. Step 7: Plan and develop graphics and tables.
Background Report
Step 7: Plan and develop graphics and tables.
When conducting a research on a topic, graphics and tables will be used. DO NO forget to include them in the bibliography.

12. Step 8: Set up a source list (bibliography)
Background Report
Step 8: Set up a source list (bibliography)
Step 9: Review and revise your rough draft

13. What is Definition ?
Definition means the explanation of the meaning of a potential unfamiliar word.
There are 3 types of definitions:
Synonym Definitions
Formal Sentence Definitions
Extended Definitions

14. Synonym Definitions
It is the use of a simple, familiar word in order to provide a quick on-the-spot definistionof a potentially unfamiliar term.

15. Formal Sentence Definition
It is the use of a full sentence to provide a more formal definition of a technical term.
Formal sentence definition has a particular structure:
Defining the Term.
Locate the term in a category.
Differentiates that term from other members of that category.

16. Extended definitions
Definitions that take up one or more paragraph to be explained. technical terms ( global warming, big bang theory, nanotechnology etc.)
Tools of definition are used to convey the full sense of the term being defined in the extended definition.

17. How to write and extended definition?
Find a simple project requiring an extended definition. Some examples: rain forests, recycling, dyslexia, acupuncture etc.
Define an audience and a purpose.
Research the term
Write a formal sentence definition
Choose the tools for the extended definition

18. How to write and extended definition?
Extended definition tool
Description
Provide description detail about the term being defined
Process
Explain the steps in one or more processes related to the term
Causes
Discuss causes related to the term being defined
Effects
Discuss consequences, results, and effects related to the term
Problems
Compare the term being defined to relates or opposite things
Comparisons
Discuss the categories into which the term being defined can be divided
Applications
Discuss the real world uses of some aspect of the term
Benefits, advantages
Discuss any benefits or advantages associated with the term

19. How to write and extended definition?
Plan and develop graphics
Organize the materials you’ll use to write extended definition Some organizational patterns: - chronological - general > specific or specific>general - theories> applications

20. How to write and extended definition?
Sketch the headings you’ll use and the contents they introduce
Plan an introduction
Plan a conclusion
Consider the format
Review and revise your rough draft

21. Classification Determine the category of the topic, item, concept,…
Divide the topic into categories

22. Location within Category
State different potential categories
Characteristics of each category
Comparison
 Determine the best category, or make up a new one

23. Division into Categories Basis of Classification
Determine one basis of classification
Fulfill readers needs
Useful & informative
Subject
Basis of Classification
Categories
Diabetes
Dependency on Insulin
Insulin dependent
Non-insulin- dependent

24. Division into Categories
Divide the subject into categories
Write a formal sentence definition for each category

25. Discussion of Categories
Discuss each category separately
Use tools of extended definition

26. Format Descriptive title centered at the top of the page
Definition of topic  Introduction
Definition of categories  Body paragraphs
Use second-level & third-level headings
Use lists, notices, illustrations, tables, highlighting, & documentation

27. Video Subject Basis of Classification Categories
“Solar Energy Systems”
The use of mechanical power
Passive solar energy
Active solar energy