ReportWriting-CenterforWriting.ppt

Report Writing JoAnn SyversonCarlson School of ManagementUniversity of Minnesota Report Components Title Page Name of report (all caps) Name, title, organization of receiver Author’s name, title, organization Date submitted Report Components Table of Contents Show beginning page number where each report heading appears Connect page numbers with leaders (spaced dots) Report Components Executive Summary One of most important parts of report Synopsis (overview) of report Concentrate on what management needs to know Summarizes Purpose Scope Methodology Findings Conclusions Recommendations Report Components Executive Summary Organized same as report Style and tone same as report Avoid unexplained jargon/abbreviations Do not refer to figures/tables presented later Should not contain exhibits or footnotes Include headings/make skimmable Use transitional words Length should be generally 1/10 of whole report Executive summaries should be the last pieces of reports to be written since they are the most important sections of the reports! Report Components Introduction Explain problem motivating report Describe its background and significance Clarify scope and limitations of report Describe data sources, methods, key terms Close by previewing report’s organization Report Components Body Discuss, analyze, interpret research findings Arrange findings in logical segments following outline Use clear, descriptive headings/skimmable Report Components Conclusions Explain findings in relation to original problem Report Components Recommendations Make recommendations on suggested action to be taken Report Components Appendix All items must be referred to in the text and listed on the table of contents Items of interest to some, but not all, readers For example, data questionnaires or computer printouts Report Components References List all references in section called “Works Cited” or “References” Include all text, online, and live sources Follow style manual for citing sourc