1. Learning Outcomes from Report-Writing Unit
Understand what makes reports effective (in general)
Understand what makes a particular report effective or ineffective
Be able to articulate a purpose statement
Be able to create a report and include its necessary components
Be able to engage in critical analysis

2. Components of Critical Analysis
Articulate questions
Search appropriate sources to address those questions
Evaluate and interpret your findings
Articulate your evaluative criteria
Draw conclusions and make recommendations

3. Information vs. Analysis
An informational report simply relays information
No problem to be solved except the need for more information
Contextless, audienceless
An analytical report provides a foundation for decision-making.
Who cares about the information in the report?
Why do they care?

4. Attributes of Analytical Reports
Answers the following questions:
Based on the information gathered about this issue, what do we know?
What conclusions can we draw?
What should we do or not do?
Analytical reports include evaluation and lead to recommendations!

5. Why are purpose statements important?
Provides a “clear focus” for your report
Allows you to define the content and organization of the report
Tells readers how the report will fulfill their need(s) for information

6. The format of a purpose statement
You should articulate your purpose statement in a single sentence.
“The purpose of this report is . . .”
Make reference to the problem you address in the report
Explain how your report will respond to the problem

7. Canadian geese are interesting birds.

8. Canadian geese are interesting birds.
Canadian geese are remarkable for their ability to fly and honk simultaneously.

9. Canadian geese are interesting birds.
Canadian geese are remarkable for their ability to fly and honk simultaneously.
Canadian geese are causing problems for cities and golf courses.

10. The purpose of this report is to recommend strategies that cities and golf courses can take to deal with the problem of the increasing Canadian geese population.

11. Class Activity
With one or two other people, write two purpose statements. One statement should be for an informative report and one statement should be for an analytical report.

12. More . . . MSU parking Gage Complex cafeteria food
Chronic wasting disease
Samuel Alito
Nutrasweet
Skateboards and sidewalks
Employee absenteeism
Green construction
Dual processor systems
Christopher Columbus
More . . .

13. Key words in purpose statements that indicate an analytical report

14. Types of analysis Causal: Why does X happen?
Identify problem
Examine possible causes
Recommend solutions
Comparative: Is X or Y Better for Our Purpose?
Identify the criteria
Rank the criteria
Compare items according to the criteria and recommend the best one
Feasibility: Is This a Good Idea?
Consider the strength of supporting reasons
Consider the strength of opposing reasons
Weigh the pros and cons and recommend a course of action

15. Characteristics of Analytical Reports
Include the problem’s background
Compare two or more alternative solutions or courses of action
Usually leads to recommendations

16. Procedure of Analysis Ask questions Search the best sources
Evaluate and interpret your findings
Articulate your evaluative criteria
Draw conclusions and make recommendations

17. Elements of Analysis Clearly identify the problem or goal
Identify the problem or goal precisely
Define the main question
Define subordinate questions
Develop a purpose statement
Provide adequate but not excessive data
Do not confuse the issue with excessive information
Provide accurate and balanced data
Avoid stacking evidence to support a preconceived point of view
Present equivocal findings accurately, then argue for which feature should receive priority
Provide fully interpreted data
Identify what is important and unimportant
Identify what belongs together and what does not
Subordinate your personal bias
Use appropriate visuals
Draw valid conclusions and recommendations

18. Feasibility Reports
Purpose: to assess whether an idea or plan or course of action is realistic and practical – “how doable is this idea?”
Questions
Is this course of action likely to succeed?
Why or why not?
What are the assessment criteria (e.g., cost, safety, productivity)?
Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks or risks?
What are the pros and cons?
What alternatives do we have?
Can we get the funding?
Should we do anything at all? Should we wait?

19. Recommendation Report
Purpose: to interpret data, draw conclusions, and recommend a course of action, usually in response to a specific problem.
Questions
What are the possible courses of action to take?
Which is the best course of action to take?
Which factors are important in making this decision?
What limitations exist that will impact my recommendation?

20. An Outline for Analytical Reports
Introduction
Definition, Description, and Background
Purpose of the Report, and Intended Audience
Method of Inquiry
Limitations of the Study
Working Definitions (here or in a glossary)
Scope of the Inquiry (topics listed in logical order)
Conclusion(s) of the Inquiry (briefly stated)
Collected Data
First Topic for Investigation
Definition
Findings
Interpretation of Findings
Second Topic for Investigation
First subtopic
Interpretation of findings
Second subtopic (and so on)
Conclusion
Summary of Findings
Overall Interpretation of Findings (as needed)
Recommendations (as needed and feasible)

21. More information on analytical reports: Introduction
Engage and orient the audience
Provide brief background
Identify your topic’s origin and significance
Define or describe the problem or issue
Explain the report’s purpose
Briefly identify your research methods
Explain data omissions
List working definitions but if you have more than two or three, place them in a glossary
List the topics you have researched
Briefly preview your conclusion

22. More information on analytical reports: Body
Describe and explain your findings
Present a clear and detailed picture of the evidence, interpretations, and reasoning on which you will base your conclusion
Divide topics into subtopics
Use informative headings as aids to navigation

23. More information on analytical reports: Conclusion
Summarize to accurately reflect the body of the report
Offer an interpretation consistent with the findings in the summary
Present recommendations that are consistent with the report’s purpose, evidence, and interpretations.
Do not offer new facts in the conclusion.