How to Write a Business Report
Jennifer Stewart
Published by Jennifer Stewart at Smashwords
Visit the author's website at http://www.write101.com
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Copyright 2010 Jennifer Stewart
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Question: I’ve been asked to submit a report – but don’t know where to start. What do I write and how do I write it?
Nature of a Report
The Information Report
The Chronological Report
The Research Report
The Analytical Report
Determine the Purpose
Your “Purpose Sentence”
Determine the Audience
Determine the Content
Determine the Style
Sentences and Paragraphs
Topic Sentences
Word Choice
Tone
First Person or Third
Active Voice
Past or Present Tense
Give Your Readers Signposts
The Library
The Internet
HOW TO ORGANIZE THE INFORMATION
Key Parts of the Report
Title Page
Table of Contents
Summary (or Abstract or Synopsis)
Introduction
Body
Conclusions
Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendices
Glossary
Use Headings
Number Your Headings
What Goes Where
Quoting Other Writers
Achieving Accuracy and Objectivity in Your Writing
Proofreading!
WHY WRITE A REPORT?
When time is at a premium, reports provide an efficient and effective way to communicate with large numbers of people.
Companies, organizations and community groups all use reports to get information out to their people. It’s more economical than trying to get all interested parties together for a meeting, and it gives everyone the opportunity to skim over sections that aren’t relevant to them.