Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
1. Information Report if they collect data for the reader: Sales report, Quarterly report.
2. Analytical Report if they interpret data but dont recommend action: Annual reports,
audit reports, make-good or pay back reports.
The release date is normally the date the report is scheduled for
discussion.
Letter or Memo of Transmittal
A Letter or Memo of Transmittal conveys the report to the person requesting it, or the
primary audience for the report. It provides a context for reading the report.
Unlike the report proper, a letter of transmittal may use I and be less formal in tone than
the rest of the report.
Also, it provides a space for pointing out any unusual features of the report, such as
unexpected findings, and for discussing the circumstances surrounding the preparation of
the report, such as any difficulties or unexpected events in its preparation.
A letter of transmittal will typically conclude with thanks to the person requesting the report
Table of Contents and Illustrations
Table of Contents lists the headings exactly as they appear in the body of
the report
If report is less than 25 pages you may list all the levels in the report
In a very long report pick a level and put all the heading on that level
It typically is no longer than 10% of the total page length of the report.
The executive summary has the same formal tone and factual information of
the rest of the report.
Introduction & Background / History
The introduction of the report always contains a Statement of Purpose and
Scope and may include all of the parts in the following list:
- Purpose
- Scope
- Limitations
- Assumptions
- Methods
- Definitions
Conclusions summarizes points you have made in the body of the report
To use time effectively, think about the parts of the report before you begin
writing
Much of the introduction comes from the proposal with minor revisions
You can write six sections even before youve finished your research:
Purpose, Scope, Assumptions, Methods, Criteria, Definitions
The background reading for your proposal can form the first draft of your
list of references
Title page
Table of Contents
Body:
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusions
- Recommendations
Report Structure - Informal
Introduction
Body
Conclusions
Recommendations
Plagiarism and Penalty
What is Plagiarism?
The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.
to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
to use (another's production) without crediting the source
to commit literary theft
to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source
In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's
work and lying about it afterward.
Penalty for Plagiarism
It is best to submit an original work to avoid the possible pitfalls that plagiarism entails. The
consequences can amount to the following depending on the seriousness of the offence.
The best way to make sure you dont plagiarize is do the following:
Even if you use your own words, acknowledge the author of the idea.
Bibliography is the term used for a list of sources (e.g. books, articles,
websites) used to write an assignment (e.g. an essay).
It usually includes all the sources consulted even if they not directly cited
(referred to) in the assignment.
So, use the term 'References' to cover works cited, and 'Additional
Bibliography' to refer to works read as general background.
Keep it Alphabetical
Examples:
Cuba, L. (1988) A Short Guide to Writing in the Social Sciences.
London: Scott Foresman.Chs. 2, 4 & 6.
Friedman, S. & S. Steinberg (1989) Writing and thinking in the Social Sciences
. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hamp-Lyons, L. & K. Courter (1984) Research matters. Rowley, Mass.: Newbury House.
Business Proposals
Problem Statement
Proposed Solution
Pricing
Address the three Ps, or problem statement, proposed solution, and pricing.
The three Ps are the basic ideas that your business proposal should be addressing. As
youre writing your proposal, keep these elements in mind.
If youre stuck on how to start, try brainstorming first; start with these three points, and
youll have a rough, bare bones version of your business proposal.
Business Proposal Format
Title page : Your business proposal should start with a title page, which should include
your name, the name of your company, the name of the person to whom youre submitting
your proposal, and the date submitted.
Table of Contents : Depending on how long your business proposal is, a table of
contents is a nice touch. Include it after your title page, and before you launch into any
details.
Executive Summary : Introduce your proposal with a great executive summary, one that
really sells your business and the products or services you provide.
Approach and Methodology : This section shows how you plan to tackle your potential
clients problem, and the steps youll take to carry out your plan.
Your client should be able to follow along and get a clear sense of your plan, but you
dont want to drown them in details.
Qualifications : This is the section of your business proposal where you get to convince
your potential client why you are the most qualified person to take on the job.
Schedule and Benchmarks : Be clear with your potential client: How long will your
proposed project take? Making sure you and your prospective client are on the same
page from the outset will help make sure that the relationship stays positive for both of
you, and that you dont set your client up with unrealistic expectations. Dont promise what
you cant deliver!
Business Proposal Format
Cost, payment, and any legal matters : Here is where you state the cost, and payment
schedule if necessary. A section entitled Fee Summary may be sufficient if a one-time
payment is required; otherwise, a Fee Schedule list might be more appropriate.
Benefits : This is your final selldont be afraid to detail for your prospective client all they
have to gain by choosing you to complete the project. Impress upon your clients why you
are the best choice, and all the ways in which their business will benefit from choosing you
and your business as their solution.
How Long Should It Be?
Depends on your industry, the scope of the project, and the clients
specifications in terms of detail and elements included.