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Chapter 9 Writing Reports
Business Communication Chapter 9 Writing Reports Copyright South-Western Cengage Learning
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Types of Reports Style Purpose Format Formal reports Informal reports
Informational reports Analytical reports Format © Rubberball Productions / Getty Images A report provides facts, opinions, or ideas about a specific topic or problem. 9.1 Planning Reports
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Formal Long Contain preliminary parts Examples: Title page Summary
Table of contents Bibliography Appendix Examples: Company’s annual report to stockholders, report to a government agency, external proposal
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Informal Shorter than formal reports Less formal style
No preliminary pages except a title page Examples: Sales report Internal proposal (analyzes an internal problem and recommends a solution)
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Purpose Informational reports Analytical reports Present facts
Include very little analysis Example: A bank manager may ask the head cashier to prepare an informational report about the average number and value of money orders sold each day Analyze a problem Present facts Draw conclusions Make recommendations Suggests ways to solve a problem
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Report Formats Memo Letter Manuscript
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Defining the Report Identify the problem or topic
Determine the scope (what will be included, what will not) Develop a timeline (schedule that lists the dates by which each Task and phase of a project must be completed) 9.1 Planning Reports
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Collecting the Data Primary research (gathering new data)
Interview Survey Observation Secondary research (locating data that already have been gathered and reported) Evaluating data sources Bibliography notes Research notes 9.1 Planning Reports
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Bibliography Notes 9.1 Planning Reports
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Research Note 9.1 Planning Reports
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Processing the Data Create a report outline Analyze the data
Draw conclusions and make recommendations 9.1 Planning Reports
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Outline Examples Topical Outline Discussion Outline
I. Characteristics of IM A. Speed B. Cost C. Equipment Discussion Outline I. IM offers the latest technology for sending messages. A. It offers speed. B. It is often free via the Internet. C. All that is needed is a computer. 9.1 Planning Reports
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Searching for Data Online
Focus your search to locate relevant data Use advanced search techniques Boolean operators OR AND NOT AND NOT Wildcards 9.1 Planning Reports
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Reading for Research Reading skills are important for secondary research Scan material to determine relevancy Look for keywords or phrases to use for further study Evaluate data found for: Relevance and timeliness Accuracy and reliability Bias 9.1 Planning Reports
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Organizing Informal Reports
Direct order Indirect order © Dex Image / Getty Images Reports written in direct order give the main idea early in the report. 9.2 Writing Informal Reports
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Direct Order Use if the report is routine or if you expect the reader to respond favorably Present the main idea first Follow with supporting details Informational reports
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Indirect Order Use when you expect an unfavorable response
When the receiver may need persuasion
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Outlining and Writing Informal Reports
Report outlines Writing style Informational Report Outline in Direct Order 9.2 Writing Informal Reports
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Formatting Informal Reports
Parts of an informal report Opening, body, closing Letter reports Memo reports Manuscript reports 9.2 Writing Informal Reports
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Organizing and Writing Formal Reports
Direct and indirect order Writing styles © Zsolt Nyulaszi / Shutterstock Objective reports help managers make business decisions. 9.3 Writing Formal Reports
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Parts of a Formal Report
Preliminary parts Letter of transmittal Title page Table of contents Executive summary The report body Introduction Findings and analysis Summary, conclusions, and recommendations 9.3 Writing Formal Reports
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Letter of Transmittal Introduces a formal report to the reader
Conveys what you would say if you were handing the report directly to the reader Usually less formal than the report Uses direct order
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Table of Contents A list of what the report includes
Lists the main headings and the page number where each heading occurs
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Executive Summary A brief overview of the report
Gives the key points of the report to the reader
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Appendix Contains supplementary materials that are placed at the end of a document or book
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Parts of a Formal Report
Supplementary parts Bibliography or Works Cited page Appendix Formatting formal reports Margins and spacing Headings Visual aids 9.3 Writing Formal Reports
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MLA Report Style Style often used for school reports
MLA Handbook shows details of this report style Questions When was MLA founded? About how many people are members of MLA? Locate the frequently asked questions about the MLA Handbook. Select one of the questions and give a brief summary of the answer. school.cengage.com/bcomm/buscomm 9.3 Writing Formal Reports
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Vocabulary alternative analytical report analyze appendix bibliography
conclusion documentation executive summary hypothesis informational report interview observation outline primary research recommendation report scope secondary research survey table of contents timeline wildcard
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