Assignment 9 - Chapter 9 Summary - Short Informal Reports

To: Nancy Myers
From: Russell Price

Date: May 14th, 2020
Subject: APLED 121- Assignment #9 - Chapter 9 Summary
______________________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 9
SHORT AND INFORMAL REPORTS

Report Definition-Reports can come in almost any form including short, long, email, letter, formal, and
informal. Reports convey concise information about specific topics and often make recommendations.
Online Reports-Reports can be easily sent across many digital platforms. The benefits of doing so
include speed, financial savings, confirmation of receipt, ease of filing, and online help tools.
Types of Reports-Reports generally fall into specific categories, which will be broken down in this
chapter.
Criteria for Writing Reports-Reports can cover a wide variety of demands, most share common traits.
• Organization-Every report should include five basic units.

o Identification Lines-Includes date written, authors names, recipient names, and
subject.
o Headings and Talking Headings-Headings include words such as “Introduction”
and “Conclusion”. Talking headings include wording such as “Human Resources
Committee Reviews” to clarify specific content to follow.
o Introduction-An overview of the report.
o Discussion-The largest section of the report and requires the most detailed
development.
o Conclusion/Recommendations-Concludes the report with a summary, chance
to relate information learned, and to state decisions made. Although not always
required, recommendations for future actions may be made.
• Development-First answer the reporter’s questions: Who, what, when, where, and why.
Second, quantify the information specifically.
• Audience-The audience determines tone. Will they be high-tech, low-tech, lay readers,
or a combination?
• Style-Includes conciseness and highlighting techniques to eliminate wordy phrases.
Incident Reports-Documents an unexpected workplace problem that has occurred.
• Purpose and Examples-Used to address a problem in the workplace that requires

analysis.
• Criteria-In addition to the five units of organization also include information about
personnel, authorities involved, equipment, witnesses, damage, graphics, and incident
sketches.
Investigative Reports-Investigating the cause behind an incident.
• Purpose and Examples-Focuses on why the event occurred and the causes leading up to
that event.
• Criteria- In addition to the five units of organization also include information about
location, personnel, authorization, review of observations, contacts, techniques used,
difficulties encountered, and tests performed.
Trip Reports-A report on job related travel.
• Purpose and Examples-Keeps a log of work-related expenses and activities while

travelling for business.
purpose, personnel, and travel and expense authorization.
Progress Reports-A report that documents the status of an activity.
• Purpose and Examples-Shares what progress is being made on a project, explains

difficulties encountered, and describes plans for the next reporting period.
objectives, personnel, previous activity, work accomplished, problems encountered and
work remaining.
Lab Reports (also referred to as test reports)-Documents the status or findings of work done in a
laboratory.
• Purpose and Examples-Written after lab activity has been completed to share findings
with colleagues.
• Criteria- In addition to the five units of organization, also include information about the
purpose of the work being done and describe specifically how the tests were performed.
Feasibility/Recommendation Reports-Studies the practicality of a plan and recommends action.
• Purpose and Examples-Feasibility is not always certain. These reports help explore the
efficacy of a plan and determine the next course of action.
• Criteria- In addition to the five units of organization also include information about plan
objectives, personnel, criteria the recommendations are based on, and analysis
comparing your findings against the criteria.
The Writing Process at Work-The best way to accomplish a writing task.

• Prewriting-Use a simple outline to gather data and determine objectives.
• Writing-Create a rough draft.
• Rewriting-Have your work reviewed by a colleague.

Assignment 9 - Chapter 9 Summary - Short Informal Reports

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Assignment 9 - Chapter 9 Summary - Short Informal Reports

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Assignment 9 - Chapter 9 Summary - Short Informal Reports

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

To: Nancy Myers

From: Russell Price

SHORT AND INFORMAL REPORTS

• Organization-Every report should include five basic units.

Incident Reports-Documents an unexpected workplace problem that has occurred.

• Purpose and Examples-Used to address a problem in the workplace that requires

Investigative Reports-Investigating the cause behind an incident.

Trip Reports-A report on job related travel.

• Purpose and Examples-Keeps a log of work-related expenses and activities while

Progress Reports-A report that documents the status of an activity.

• Purpose and Examples-Shares what progress is being made on a project, explains

Feasibility/Recommendation Reports-Studies the practicality of a plan and recommends action.

The Writing Process at Work-The best way to accomplish a writing task.

You might also like