Parts of Formal Reports
What is the purpose of a formal report?
Analyze findings, draw conclusions, and make recommendations that will solve a problem
How many different types of proposals are there?
6
True or False: When conducting research for a business report, you do not need to worry about citing sources or creating a bibliography.
False: Plagiarism in a business report is still plagiarism, and can reflect poorly on you.
When would you use a line chart?
To show change in data over time
True or False: A leader’s job is to summarize the decisions, assigned tasks, and deadlines that were decided upon.
True, a leader’s job is to summarize the decisions, assigned tasks, and deadlines that were decided upon.
True or False: A formal report is similar to a research essay
True, a formal report is similar to a research essay
Are external proposals addressed to clients within the company or outside the company?
Addresses outside the company
Books, magazines, online databases, search engines and Wikipedia are all what type of source?
Secondary sources
True or false: graphs and charts should use lots of colors and images.
False, a simpler chart is better and won’t distract the readers
What should you do to prepare for a meeting?
Determine the purpose of the meeting, set a time and place, send invitations to participants and distribute meeting agenda
What is the purpose of the body of the report?
It contains the central idea and is the “meat” of the report
True or False: Solicited proposals are written in response to a request for approval
True, solicited proposals are written in response to a request for approval
What are 3 types of primary research sources?
Surveys, personal interviews, observation and experimentation
Why are charts and infographics important?
Readers are able to understand data and ideas more quickly than from text
True or False: if a meeting participant is running late, the polite thing to do is wait for them to arrive before starting.
False, even if people are missing, meetings should start promptly to avoid wasting time and to respect those who came in on time.
What is the most important part of writing a good formal report?
Conducting research
Are informal proposals typically short or long?
Informal proposals short and information filled, and have a serious purpose
What are some strategies for conducting a good survey?
Explain why the survey is necessary, give an incentive, keep the amount of questions minimal, avoid leading or ambiguous questions, select the survey population carefully.
What are the 2 types of titles that can be used?
Talking titles (persuasive) and functional titles (general)
What should a meeting introduction include?
Goal and length of the meeting, background of topics/problems, possible solutions and limitations, tentative agenda, ground rules
What sections are before the body section?
Report cover, title page, table of contents, list of figures and tables, and abstract/summary
What parts should informal and formal proposals contain?
Introduction, background, proposal, staffing, budget, and authorization
What is one reason you should document report data?
To strengthen argument/add credibility, to protect against plagiarism, to help the reader learn more about the topic, to provide proper credit
What are some things that should be kept in mind when using graphics in a report? List at least 2.
Consider how the audience will interpret them, use colors wisely/ use a color theme, check calculations, place graphs strategically, choose appropriate captions/titles.
What are some strategies for conducting a professional meeting virtually?
Establish ground rules, anticipate the limitations of technology, implement a system for taking turns speaking, leave time after the meeting for small talk to help build personal bonds