Ch 11 - Formal Reports Flashcards
What are the four components for organizing a formal report?
Front Matter Body (IMRaD) - Introduction - Methods - Results - Discussion Conclusion (recommendations) Back Matter
Name five types of formal reports?
Research - findings of a study
Scientific - empirtical project findings
Completion - outcomes of projects/initiatives
Recommendation - make suggestions
Feasibility - determine if action if possible or sensible
What are the steps to writing a formal report?
1) Make a plan and do research
2) Organize and draft report
3) Draft front and back matter
4) Choose style, design, and medium
What are the elements of planning a formal report?
Five-W and How Subject - what will be covered Purpose - main goal or objective Readers - types Context of use - that influence writing and reading
What are the elements of researching a formal report?
1) Define a research question (one sentence)
2) State a hypothesis (one sentence)
3) Develop a research methodology (logical mapping)
4) Collect information by following the methodology
5) Analyze gathered information and use it to modify hypothesis
What is a methodology for research?
Series of steps that will be taken to answer a research question or test a hypothesis.
What six tasks can an introduction perform for a research paper?
Define the subject State the purpose (one sentence) State report's main point Stress importance of subject Offer background information Forecast the organization of the report
What’s contained in the three parts of the methodology section in a research paper?
- Opening - describe overall approach in 1-2 sentences. If established methodology, mention who/where used before.
- Body - Describe major and minor steps that will be followed.
- Closing - Any limitations for the study.
What’s contained in the three parts of the results section in a research paper?
- Opening - summarize 2-5 major results/findings
- Body - devote at least one paragraph to each of the major results, including support data
- Closing - (optional) another summary of findings
What’s contained in the three parts of the discussion section in a research paper?
- Opening - Overall conclusions about the results
- Body - Discuss what you think each result shows about the topic (1+ paragraphs per result)
- Closing (only in large discussion sections) summarizes major conclusions
What six tasks can a conclusion perform for a research paper?
Makes the transition to conclusion
Restates the main point of report (required)
States 2-5 major recommendations (required)
Emphasizes importance of report
Looks to the future - future research or possible outcomes
Say thank you and provide contact information
Name some contents of Front Matter for a research paper.
Letter or Memo of Transmittal
Title page
Abstract or Executive Summary (for reports >10 pages)
Table of Contents (for reports >10 pages)
What’s contained in the Abstract or Executive Summary of a research report?
One or two sentences from each section of the report, using the phrasing from those sections as much as possible.
- Purpose statement
- Main point
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Recommendations
Ma duplicate contents of intro, but should not replace it - should be able to stand alone, apart from rest of document.
Name some contents of Back Matter for a research paper.
Appendixes
Glossary of terms
Calculations
Remember - most never read back matter, so don’t hide something important there.
What are the main considerations in style for research reports?
- Plain style
- Active voice where possible
- Breath-length sentences
- Eliminate nominalizations (verb, adjective, or adverb that has been turned into an ambiguous noun)
- Define jargon and specialized terms
