Academic Writing/Reports and Presentations

Question 1

What kinds of thinking are there?

Answer 1

• Inductive thinking considers the known data or evidence, makes a rule or generalisation and assumes this applies in all cases
• Deductive thinking gives a general rule or overview then applies this rule to a specific or particular case to reach a conclusion
• Lateral thinking acknowledges intuition and unconscious reasoning

Question 2

What is an abstract?

Answer 2

The purpose of an abstract is to identify the essential argument without passing any opinion or critical comment on it

Question 3

What is a precis?

Answer 3

The purpose of a precis is to condense the material

Question 4

What is a summary?

Answer 4

A summary gives an overview of the main theme and subthemes

Question 5

What types of reports are there?

Answer 5

• Informational
• Analytical
• Integrated

Question 6

What is an informational report?

Answer 6

• A short and periodic report
• Present evidence gathered and the work already done in the area of investigation
• Do not analyse or persuade - convey factual information

Question 7

What is an analytical report?

Answer 7

• Based on research and analysis leading to recommendations
• Written by experts
• Must be balanced and objective

Question 8

What is an integrated report?

Answer 8

Combines both informational and analytical approaches?

Question 9

What kinds of report formats are there?

Answer 9

• Indirect sequence

* Direct sequence

Question 10

What is an indirect sequence report?

Answer 10

• Intro
• Body
• Conclusion
• Recommendation

Question 11

What is a direct sequence report?

Answer 11

• Typically used on analytical reports
• Intro
• Conclusion
• Recommendations
• Body

Question 12

What is a letter of transmittal?

Answer 12

• Block letter addresses to the person who authorised or requested the report
• Formal way of saying the report has been completed within the terms of reference, mentioning any special points of interest and pointing out any additional research necessary

Question 13

What is a business proposal?

Answer 13

Similar to a report but used in winning competitive contracts or to obtain government support/funding in starting a new enterprise

Question 14

What kinds of patterns of organisation of presentations are there?

Answer 14

• Logical patterns

* Persuasive pattern: Monroe’s motivated sequence

Question 15

What are the logical organisation of presentation patterns?

Answer 15

• Chronological
• Spatial
  
  • e.g. by geography
• Cause-effect
• Problem-solution
• Topical

Question 16

What is Monroe’s motivated sequence?

Answer 16

• Attention
  
  • Gain interest
  • Secure goodwill and respect
• Need
  
  • Descibe the problem
  • Show the reason for improving the problem
• Satisfaction
  
  • Offer solution
• Visualisation
  
  • Increase desire to adopt proposed action
  • Help audience visualise results
• Action
  
  • Motivate
  • Convey a sense of completion

Question 17

What is the acronym for information and instructional presentations?

Answer 17

• PREP
  
  • Main point
  • Reason
  • Example
  • Main point restated