Assembling and Completing Formal Business Reports
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Author: Ryan Smith
What should an effective letter of transmittal include?
- A review of the formal RFP
- An announcement of the topic and affirmation of the proposal authorization
- A résumé listing previous projects
View Explanation
Letters of transmittal should address the recipient of the proposal; state the topic and affirm the proposal authorization; describe the project; briefly present major findings, conclusions, and recommendations; and close with appreciation for the assignment or instruction for follow-up action. Your letter of transmittal does not need to include a review of the formal RFP or a résumé listing previous projects.
Which of the following components contains a list of each figure or table title and its page number?
- List of illustrations
- Table of contents
- Appendix
View Explanation
The list of illustrations includes a list of each figure or table title and its page number. A table of contents should include a list of all headings and their beginning page numbers. Illustrations and figures are not normally listed in the table of contents. The appendix is ancillary material of interest to only some readers and does not contain a list of all illustrations and figures.
Which division of a final report contains the introduction, discussion of findings, summary, conclusions, and recommendations?
- Body
- Supplementary
- Front matter
View Explanation
The body is the division of a final report that contains the introduction, discussion of findings, summary, conclusions, and recommendations.
Read the scenario, and answer the question.
Your coworker has just finished preparing a formal report for their manager. You notice that they have used several different fonts and some clip art on the cover page.
What advice can you give him?
- Consider using photos instead of clip art.
- Use more colors.
- Keep the cover page simple and professional.
View Explanation
The cover page of a formal report should be simple as possible in order to look professional. Avoid the use of multiple fonts, excessively large text, and unnecessary artwork.
When writing an executive summary in a formal report, make sure you .
View Explanation
An executive summary is usually no longer than ten percent of the document.
Identify the element of a report's introduction that is described.
This section describes events leading up to the problem.
- Authorization
- Scope
- Background
View Explanation
The background section describes events leading up to the problem or need.
This section identifies the person(s) or organization(s) who commissioned the report.
- Authorization
- Background
- Significance
View Explanation
The authorization section is the place to identify who commissioned the report. If you do not include a letter of transmittal, also use this section to tell why, when, by whom, and for whom the report was written.
In the body of a formal report, the discussion of findings section .
View Explanation
The principal section in the body of a formal report is the discussion of findings. You should use this section to discuss, analyze, interpret, and evaluate your research findings or solutions to the initial problem.
When a report requires a recommended course of action, where should you include your recommendations? Check all that apply.
- You can include them in your discussion of findings.
- You can present them in a separate section from your conclusions.
- You can incorporate them in the same section as your conclusions.
View Explanation
Recommendations advocating a course of action may be placed in a separate section or incorporated with the conclusions.
