Formal Reports

• What are the common formats in which reports are conveyed?

  Writing, speech, television, or film
• What is the primary purpose of a report?

  To relay information or recount certain events in a presentable manner
• Why is a report considered an administrative necessity?

  Because most official forms of information or work are completed via report
• How is a report structured in terms of writing?

  A report is always written in a sequential manner in order of occurrence
• What is a formal report?

  A collection and interpretation of data and information
• What are some examples of subject matter for formal reports?

  New technologies, project advisability, study results, annual reports
• What are the types of reports mentioned in the study material?

  • Informational reports
  • Analytical reports
  • Recommendation reports
• What characterizes a formal report?

  It is complex and used at an official level
• What do informational reports present?

  Results so readers can understand a particular problem or situation
• Give an example of an informational report.

  A report providing statistics on online bill payments for a city
• What might informational reports include?

  Updates on research status, project operations, or questionnaire results
• What are some examples of informational reports?

  Attendance reports, annual budget reports, monthly financial reports
• How do analytical reports differ from informational reports?

  They analyze results and draw conclusions based on those results
• What do recommendation reports provide?

  Recommendations based on results and conclusions
• What are some examples of analytical reports?

  Scientific research, feasibility reports, employee appraisals
• How do recommendation reports relate to analytical reports?

  They are identical but focus on recommendations based on analysis
• What are the basic structures of a report?

  1. Title page
  2. Abstract
  3. Contents page
  4. Introduction
  5. Body
  6. Conclusion
  7. Recommendation
  8. References
  9. Appendices
• What should be included on the title page of a report?

  The title, your name, recipient's name, submission date, and course/department
• What is the purpose of the abstract in a report?

  To summarize the major points, conclusions, and recommendations
• What should the contents page of a report include?

  A clear, well-formatted list of all sections and sub-sections with page numbers
• What is discussed in the body of the report?

  The findings and their significance
• What is the role of the introduction in a report?

  To explain the problem and the purpose of the report
• What should the conclusion of a report accomplish?

  Draw out implications of findings and discuss significance
• What is the purpose of the recommendations section in a report?

  To recommend possible means of addressing the problem
• What should the references section of a report include?

  A list of all sources referenced in the text
• What are appendices in a report?

  Supporting documents or references to in-text discussions
• What types of information might be included in appendices?

  • Graphs
  • Pictures
  • Letters