Communications - Chapter 11 Flashcards
What are 3 purposes of reports?
- Convey information
- Solve problems
- Answer questionsWht
What are 2 report functions and types?
- Informational reports
2. Analytical reports
What are 2 organizational strategies?
- Direct strategy
2. Indirect strategy
What are 2 writing styles?
- Formal
2. Informal
What 5 report formats?
- Letter
- Memo (often with email cover note)
- Manuscript
- Preprinted forms
- Digital
What are 3 truths you should know about reports? (Part 1)
- Everyone writes reports
- Most reports flow upwards
- Most business reports are informal
What are 3 truths you should know about reports? (Part 2)
- Memos, letter, manuscript format
- Reports differ from memos and letters
- Today’s reports take advantage of computer technologies
What are 4 truths you should know about reports? (Part 3)
- Many reports are joint efforts
- Ethical report writers interpret facts fairly
- Writers impose organization on data
- The writer is the reader’s servant
When do you use direct pattern?
- If readers are informed
- If readers are supportive
- If readers are eager to have results first
When do you use indirect pattern?
- If readers to be educated
- If readers need to be persuaded
- If readers may be disappointed or hostile
What are 7 tips for letter reports?
- Use letter format for short informal reports sent to outsiders
- Organize the facts section into logical divisions identified by consistent headings
- Single space the body
- Double space between paragraphs
- Leave 2 blank lines above each heading
- Create side margins of 1 to 1 1/4 inches
- Add a second page heading if necessary consisting of addressee’s name, the date, and the page number
What are 5 tips for analytical report - memo format?
- Use memo format for short (10 or fewer pages) informal reports within an org
- Create side margins of 1 to 1 1/4 inches
- Sign your initials on the From line
- Use an informal conversational style
- Put recommendations first for direct analytical reports and last for indirect analytical reports
What are 5 elements of a a work plan for a formal report?
- Statement of problem
- Statement of the purpose, including scope, limitations, and significance
- Research strategy, including a description of potential scores, and methods of collecting data.
- Tentative outline that factors the problem into manageable chunks
- Work schedule
What are 2 print secondary sources?
Print resources:
- Books – card catalog, online catalog
- Periodicals – print indexes, electronic indexes
What are 4 electronic database secondary sources?
Electronic databases:
- LexisNexis Academic
- ABI/INFORM
- Factiva
- EBSCO