Gap filling: Chap 9

Analytical reports

Reports that analyze data, draw conclusions, and typically try to persuade the reader to accept the conclusions and act on the recommendations.

Business reports

Varying in length, content, form, and formality level, with purposes to convey information, answer questions, and solve problems.

Conference reports

Also referred to as trip reports, they inform management about business trends, new procedures, or other information affecting operations.

Executive summary

A condensed version of a report focusing on what management needs to know.

Feasibility reports

Reports that examine the practicality and advisability of following a course of action.

Formal writing style

Characterized by objectivity, authority, and impartiality; appropriate for proposals and long research reports.

Functional headings

One- or two-word labels that outline a report but provide little insight about its contents.

Infographics

Visual representations of data or information.

Informal writing style

Characterized by a friendly tone, first-person pronouns, and shorter sentences, often used for short internal reports.

Informational reports

Reports that present data without analysis or recommendations.

Internal proposals

Reports distributed within a company that justify or recommend actions; also called justification/recommendation reports.

Interim reports

Also known as project reports, they describe the status of ongoing projects.

Justification reports

Reports that justify or recommend actions, such as buying equipment or changing procedures.

Letter format

Contains a date, inside address, salutation, and complimentary close; organized more carefully than typical letters.

Manuscript format

Printed on plain paper without letterhead, featuring a title followed by systematically displayed headings.

Meeting minutes

Summarize the proceedings of meetings.

Memo format

Reports that begin with background information using standard headings and differ in length and organization from regular memos.

Portable document format (PDF)

A file type that condenses documents while preserving formatting and graphics.

Primary data

Results gathered from firsthand experience and observation.

Problem statement

Clarifies the task and defines the report’s purpose and scope.

Progress reports

Also known as interim reports, they describe the status of ongoing projects.

Purpose statement

Defines the focus of a report, providing a standard that keeps the project on target.

Recommendation reports

Reports that justify or recommend actions; also known as justification reports or internal proposals.

Secondary data

Data obtained from the research or observations recorded by others.

Slide deck

A digital slideshow.

Summary

Compresses the main points from various sources.

Talking headings

Designed to provide information and spark interest.

Templates

Digital forms available for repetitive data, such as monthly sales reports.

Trip reports

Inform management about trends and procedures, also known as conference reports.

Yardstick reports

Examine problems with two or more solutions to determine the best option.