{"id":8976,"date":"2021-05-15T14:36:01","date_gmt":"2021-05-15T18:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/?page_id=8976"},"modified":"2021-08-06T13:16:56","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T17:16:56","slug":"professional-reports","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/professional-reports\/","title":{"rendered":"Professional Reports"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"page-toc\">\n<div class=\"page-toc-title\">Contents &amp; Navigation<\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#highlights\">highlights<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#preface-report-as-genre\">preface: report as genre<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#intro\">introduction<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#what\">what is a report?<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#types\">types of reports<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#common\">common types &#038; functions<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item2\"><a href=\"#informational-analytical\">informational vs. analytical<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#components\">common components<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#headings\">helpful headings<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item2\"><a href=\"#topic-talking\">topic vs. talking<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item2\"><a href=\"#more-headings\">more on headings<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#examples\">pro report examples<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#boring\">reports risk being boring<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item\"><a href=\"#awesome\">case study in awesome<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"item3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/research-reports-toc\/\">all research &amp; reports  \u232a<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 285px;\">\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin-top: -1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 30px;\"><span id=\"highlights\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 30%; opacity: 0;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top:-0; margin-bottom:25px;\">Highlights<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"bullsq2\" style=\"margin-right:30px;\">\n<li>As a broad genre of professional communication, reports are flexible, diverse, and represent a range of different forms, contents, purposes, and audiences. <\/li>\n<li>In most professional contexts, there are two main categories for reports, regardless of their specific function or type\u2014<span style=\"font-weight: 500; color: #222;\">informational<\/span>  and <span style=\"font-weight: 500; color: #222;\">analytical<\/span>. <\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-left:50px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 500; color: #222;\">Informational<\/span> reports inform and\/or present details of events, activities, individuals, products, or conditions without analysis. <\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-left:50px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 500; color: #222;\">Analytical<\/span> reports present information with analysis to solve problems, demonstrate relationships, or make recommendations.<\/li>\n<li>Successful reports provide relevant information in a coherent narrative; they do not simply list information about the subject. They give the reader a clear picture and a solid understanding of the subject of the document.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"preface-report-as-genre\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">\u2305<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Preface: Report as Genre<\/h3>\n<p>In the very first week of the semester, you thought about genre as part of a rhetorical approach\u2014as part of a PAGOS plan. To review:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left:1em;\"><span class=\"acc-shad\" style=\"color: #444444;\">What is a genre?:<\/span> A genre is a type or category that has particular characteristics, elements, content, or formats. Horror is a genre of film. Pop is a genre of music. Haiku is a subgenre of poetry, and poetry is a genre of writing. In this class, we will use \u201cgenre\u201d loosely to mean a \u201ctype\u201d of writing\u2013such as email, letter, report, etc.\u2013that has particular characteristics common to most or all of the examples of that genre.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left:1em;\"><span class=\"acc-shad\" style=\"color: #444444;\">What are genre conventions?<\/span> Genre conventions are the common characteristics\u2014or \u201crules\u201d\u2014that are typical among members of a particular genre. Horror films usually employ scary music and dim lighting\u2014so scary music and dim lighting are conventions of the horror genre of film.<\/p>\n<p>According to Richard Johnson-Sheehan and Charles Payne in <em>Writing Today<\/em>, there are five important things to remember about genres <\/p>\n<div class=\"pg-qte\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\">\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\"><span class=\"acc-shad\" style=\"color: #505050;\">Genres Are Flexible. <\/span> Genres are as flexible and change- able as the human activities they represent. It is important to know the common features of each genre, so you can use them to help you interpret new social situations and then respond to them appropriately and successfully.<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\"><span class=\"acc-shad\" style=\"color: #505050;\">Genres Are Adaptable to Various Situations.<\/span> When the audience or context changes, a genre needs to be adjusted to suit the new situation. An argument that worked previ- ously with some readers or in a particular context might not work with different readers or in another context.<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\"><span class=\"acc-shad\" style=\"color: #505050;\">Genres Evolve to Suit Various Fields.<\/span> Each discipline adapts common genres to its own needs and purposes. A report written by a biologist, for example, will share many characteristics with a report written by a manager at a corporation, but there will also be notable differences in the content, organization, style, and design of the text.<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\"><span class=\"acc-shad\" style=\"color: #505050;\">Genres Shape Situations and Readers.<\/span> When you choose a particular genre, you are deciding what kinds of issues will be highlighted and what role your readers will play. For instance, readers know that when they encounter a memoir (a literary genre), they should read thoroughly and follow the story line. Quite differently, when readers encounter a report (a workplace genre), they assume that they can \u201craid\u201d the text for the specific information they need\u2014that is, they can skip and skim.<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\"><span class=\"acc-shad\" style=\"color: #505050;\">Genres Can Be Played With.<\/span> You can be creative and play with the conventions of genres. You can combine, blend, or even \u201cmash up\u201d genres into new ones. Genres are stretchy. But if you are going to go against your readers\u2019 expectations of the genre, you need to do so consciously and for a specific purpose.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In addition to what&#8217;s above, you should keep in mind that &#8220;report&#8221; is a broad, flexible genre (or category) of communications\u2014reports come in all shapes, sizes, depths, formats, and designs. Some reports are defined by their parts, others are defined by their purpose or audience, and others are defined by other things entirely. While some categories of reports share common components or broad purposes, like genres, reports <span class=\"acc-shad\" style=\"color: #444444;\">&#8220;are not fixed or rigid patterns to be followed mechanically. They are not templates into which we insert sentences and paragraphs&#8221;<\/span> (Johnson-Sheehan and Payne, <em>Writing Today<\/em>, 1).<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"intro\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">\u2305<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Introduction<\/h3>\n<p>Reports can come in many forms, from a two-page progress report memo letting your manager know of your progress on a larger project, to a 150-page report examining the causes of a problem in your company and making recommendations for a solution. In your professional career, you might have to write an expense report that catalogs your spending during a business trip or a feasibility report that presents your assessment about whether your business should go forward with a proposed action (anything from buying a new microwave for the break-room to opening a new storefront).<\/p>\n<p>Reports may be based on <a href=\"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/primary-secondary-tertiary-research\/\">primary research, secondary research, tertiary research<\/a> (often a combination) and can include descriptions, observations, results, surveys, market analysis, feasibility reporting, product research, and information from other sources. The data required will depend on the type of report, the purpose, and the audience to whom the report is directed.<\/p>\n<p>Broadly, most reports are either more informational or analytical. Informational reports inform and\/or present details of events, activities, individuals, products, or conditions without analysis. Analytical reports present information with analysis to solve problems, demonstrate relationships, or make recommendations.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 500; color: #222;\">While reports represent a broad genre with a set of common features, the diversity of types, audiences, and purposes mean there are no universal guidelines. Writers must make a number of decisions about content, scope, detail, research, organization, style, and too many choices, variables, and approaches to mention here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Consider this scenario:<\/p>\n<div class=\"boxemail\">\n<p>In a recent staff meeting, a coworker complains about the &#8220;junk mail&#8221; left in his department mailbox. Other colleagues echo the complaint, offering examples of finding mail around the office unrelated to work. Recent examples include a flyer offering free puppies to a good home, a request for child care, someone selling a car, and discount coupons to a play starring an accountant in another department. Your supervisor suggests the excessive paper mail isn&#8217;t limited to non-work items, but includes work-related items such as the employee newsletter, two or three line memos (which waste a whole page), and bi-weekly printouts of employee pay stubs.<\/p>\n<p>Your supervisor thinks it might be a good idea to cut down on the amount of paper mail in the department, but he doesn&#8217;t want to deal with it. When he asks for ideas, you suggest that employees could request to have their pay stubs printed or they could opt to access them online. Your boss says, &#8220;Great idea, but what about all the other mail?&#8221; When you respond by saying you&#8217;d have to think about it, your supervisor says &#8220;Excellent. Write something up and have it to me by next week.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>What are you supposed to do now? What does &#8220;write something up&#8221; mean?<\/p>\n<p>In this situation, you have a few pieces of information, a few ideas, and very few guidelines. You could write something short like an email with a few of your own ideas or you could research and compile a 50 page report that includes the benefits and drawbacks of paper reduction supported by research, includes a poll of current employees to gauge interest and possible participation, and ultimately, forwards recommendations about different ways to reduce paper, an analysis of potential costs vs. savings, and steps to implementation.<\/p>\n<p>There are many MANY different types of reports, and there are generally accepted guidelines for writing all of them. However, in most cases, you have to figure out what type of report is to write, what components to include, what level of formality you&#8217;ll use&#8230; and all of the other decisions that go into writing professionally.<\/p>\n<p>Returning to the &#8220;paper reduction&#8221; example, let&#8217;s take a look at some of the many variables that you would have to think through before you sit down to write.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"exspace\">\n<li>What kind of report will you write?<\/li>\n<li>What type of research will you include? What will be its scope?<\/li>\n<li>Will you conduct a survey of your office to gather their opinions?<\/li>\n<li>What methods will you use to determine potential solutions? How many options will you explore?<\/li>\n<li>What criteria will you use to compare potential options?<\/li>\n<li>What sections might you include in your report?<\/li>\n<li>Will you ask for help from other employees?<\/li>\n<li>Will you simply discuss different options or will you forward a recommendation?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"width: 640px; float: right; margin: -30px 10px 10px;\">\n<div class=\"tagmemics\">\n<h4 style=\"text-align:center; font-size:170%; margin-bottom:0;border-bottom: 2px solid #e0e0e0; letter-spacing:0.05em; text-transform: uppercase;\">Broad Categories of Reports<\/h4>\n<table style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 16px;\">\n<td style=\"color: #004d40; font-size: 77%; width: 25%; letter-spacing: 0.0325em; background: #e0f2f1;\">keywords suggesting an<\/td>\n<td style=\"color: #01579b; font-size: 77%; width: 25%; letter-spacing: 0.0325em; background: #E1F5FE;\">keywords suggesting an<\/td>\n<td style=\"color: #1a237e; font-size: 77%; width: 25%; letter-spacing: 0.0325em; background: #E8EAF6;\">keywords suggesting an<\/td>\n<td style=\"color: #4a148c; font-size: 77%; width: 25%; letter-spacing: 0.0325em; background: #F3E5F5;\">keywords suggesting a<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 16px;\">\n<td style=\"background-color: #80cbc4; color: #004d40; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.0525em;\">expository<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #81d4fa; color: #01579b; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.0525em;\">analytical<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #9fa8da; color: #1a237e; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.0525em;\">argumentative<\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #ce93d8; color: #4a148c; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.0525em;\">propositional<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: #b2dfdb; width: 12.5%; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0 4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Roboto Slab; font-size: 130%; color: #004d40; letter-spacing: 0.0325em;\">informational<br \/>\nreport<br \/>\n<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #b3e5fc; width: 12.5%; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0 4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Roboto Slab; font-size: 130%; color: #01579b; letter-spacing: 0.0325em;\">analytical report<br \/>\n<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #c5cae9; width: 12.5%; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0 4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Roboto Slab; font-size: 130%; color: #1a237e; letter-spacing: 0.0325em;\">persuasive report<br \/>\n<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"background-color: #e1bee7; width: 12.5%; text-align: center; padding: 5px 0 4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Roboto Slab; font-size: 130%; color: #4a148c; letter-spacing: -0.0425em;\">problem-solving<br \/>\n<span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.0325em;\">report<\/span><br \/>\n<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #e0f2f1; color: #004d40; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">explain<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E1F5FE; color: #01579b; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">classify<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E8EAF6; color: #1a237e; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">interpret<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #F3E5F5; color: #4a148c; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">take a position<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #e0f2f1; color: #004d40; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">define<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E1F5FE; color: #01579b; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">analyze<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E8EAF6; color: #1a237e; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">defend<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #F3E5F5; color: #4a148c; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">alleviate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #e0f2f1; color: #004d40; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">describe<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E1F5FE; color: #01579b; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">compare<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E8EAF6; color: #1a237e; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">determine<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #F3E5F5; color: #4a148c; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">assess<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #e0f2f1; color: #004d40; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">review<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E1F5FE; color: #01579b; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">examine<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E8EAF6; color: #1a237e; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">justify<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #F3E5F5; color: #4a148c; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">ease<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #e0f2f1; color: #004d40; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">inform<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E1F5FE; color: #01579b; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">explain<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E8EAF6; color: #1a237e; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">refute<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #F3E5F5; color: #4a148c; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">propose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #e0f2f1; color: #004d40; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">report<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E1F5FE; color: #01579b; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">diagnose<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E8EAF6; color: #1a237e; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">propose<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #F3E5F5; color: #4a148c; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">solve<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 0px; line-height: 1.7em; border-bottom:none;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 1px 0 3px; line-height: 1.5em; background: #E1F5FE; color: #01579b; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">investigate<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 0px; line-height: 1.7em; border-bottom:none;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 4px 0px 3px; line-height: 1.7em; background: #f3e5f5 none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: #4a148c; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; font-size: 120%; font-weight: 300;\">recommend<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"what\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>What Is a Report?<\/h3>\n<p>Reports are documents designed to record and convey information to the reader. Reports are part of any business or organization (from credit reports to police reports) and they serve to document specific information for specific audiences. The type of report is often identified by its primary purpose or function, as in an accident report, a laboratory report, a sales report, or even a book report. Reports are often analytical (involving the rational analysis of information). Sometimes reports simply \u201creport the facts\u201d with no analysis at all. Other reports summarize past events, present current data, and forecast future trends. While a report may have conclusions, propositions, or even a call to action, the demonstration of analysis is a primary function.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"types\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Types of Reports<\/h3>\n<p>Reports come in all sizes, but are typically longer than a page and somewhat shorter than a book. The type of report depends on its function\u2014its essential purpose\u2014often indicated in the purpose statement. The report function will also influence the inclusion of written and visual content, style of writing, and length.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to varying by function, reports also vary by style and tradition. Within your organization, there may be employer-specific expectations that need to be addressed to meet audience expectations. Since this is a classroom situation, however, this course material will discuss reports in general terms, including common elements, points of distinction, and best practices.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"informational-analytical\">Informational or Analytical Report?<\/h4>\n<p>There are two main categories for reports, regardless of their specific function or type. An informational report informs or instructs and presents details of events, activities, individuals, or conditions without analysis. An example of this type of \u201cjust the facts\u201d report is a police accident report. The report will note the time, date, place, contributing factors like weather, and identification information for the drivers involved in an automobile accident. It does not establish fault or include judgemental statements. You should not see \u201cDriver was falling down drunk\u201d in a police accident report. Instead, you would see \u201cDriver failed sobriety tests and breathalyzer test and was transported to the station for a blood sample.\u201d The police officer is not a trained medical doctor and is therefore not licensed to make definitive diagnoses, but can collect and present relevant information that may contribute to that assessment.<\/p>\n<p>The second type of report is called an analytical report. An analytical report presents information with a comprehensive analysis to solve problems, demonstrate relationships, or make recommendations. An example of this report may be a field report by a Public Health Agency of Canada physician from the site of an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, noting symptoms, disease progression, steps taken to arrest the spread of the disease, and recommendations about the treatment and quarantine of subjects.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"common\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Common Reports and Their Functions<\/h3>\n<p>Common reports may be informational or analytical depending on the audience&#8217;s needs. Some common types and their functions are below.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 1100px; margin: 30px auto 0;\">\n<table class=\"ex1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" align=\"left\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edfafc;\">\n<th style=\"text-align: center; border: 1px solid #E7E7E7;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><span style=\"color: #666666; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 150%; font-family: 'Roboto Slab';\">Type<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: center; border: 1px solid #E7E7E7;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"82%\"><span style=\"color: #666666; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 150%; font-family: 'Roboto Slab';\">Function<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Benchmark Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Establish criteria and evaluate alternatives by measuring against the established benchmark criteria<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Case Study<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Represent, analyze, and present lessons learned from a specific case or example<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Comparative Advantage Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Discuss competing products or services with an analysis of relative advantages and disadvantages<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Compliance Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Document and indicate the extent to which a product or service is within established compliance parameters or standards<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Cost-Benefit Analysis<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Communicate costs and benefits of products or services<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Decision Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Make recommendations to management and become tools to solve problems and make decisions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Feasibility Study<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Analyze problems and predict whether current solutions or alternatives will be practical, advisable, or produced the desired outcome(s)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Field Study Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Describe one-time events, such as trips, conferences, seminars, as well as reports from branch offices, industrial and manufacturing plants<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Financial Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Communicate status and trends from a finance perspective<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Instruction Manual<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Communicate step-by-step instructions on the use of a product or service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong>Laboratory Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Communicate the procedures and results of laboratory activities<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Literature Review<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Present summaries of the information available on a given subject<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Needs Assessment <\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Assess the need for a service or product<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Physical Description <\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Describe the physical characteristics of a machine, a device, or an object<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Progress Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Monitor and control production, sales, shipping, service, or related business process<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong>Proposal Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Identify and describe a problem, suggest one solution, and often, request permission or funding to implement a solution<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong>Recommendation Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Compares several possible &#8220;solutions&#8221; to a problem and recommends the one that best meets criteria<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong>Research Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Study problems scientifically by developing hypotheses, collecting data, analyzing data, and indicating findings or conclusions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Technical Report<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Communicate process and product from a technical perspective<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"components\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Common Components of Professional Reports<\/h3>\n<div style=\"width: 1100px; margin: 30px auto 0;\">\n<table class=\"ex1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" align=\"left\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edfafc;\">\n<th style=\"text-align: center; border: 1px solid #E7E7E7;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><span style=\"color: #666666; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 150%; font-family: 'Roboto Slab';\">Component<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: center; border: 1px solid #E7E7E7;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"82%\"><span style=\"color: #666666; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 150%; font-family: 'Roboto Slab';\">Explanation \/ Function<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Letter of Transmittal<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">In the case of a printed document, the letter of transmittal typically isn&#8217;t bound as part of the report, but rather, is placed on top. The LOT introduction announces the topic and explains who authorized it. The body of the letter briefly describes the project and previews the conclusions. The conclusion closes by expressing appreciation for the opportunity, suggesting follow-up actions, acknowledging the help of others, and offering to answer questions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong>Cover Page<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Often contains stylized title, image, and\/or logo of organizations involved. May also introduce the topic with an engaging image.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Title Page<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Includes the title of the report, author\/s and organizational affiliation, date, and organization for whom the report was prepared.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\"><strong>List of Figures<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">The list of figures identifies the titles and page locations of visuals such as figures (graphs, charts, tables), drawings, photos, maps, etc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Table of Contents<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">A list of report components and page locations. Usually indicates sections and headings. Depending on the length and complexity of the document, may also indicate subheadings and additional secondary\/tertiary subdivisions of content.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\">\n<div><strong>Abstract<\/strong> (or) <strong>Executive Summary<\/strong><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\">Abstracts can be informational (highlight topic, methods, data, and result) or descriptive (topic, methods, and data without conclusions, recommendations, or results) and usually orient the reader to the topic and discussion. Readers use abstracts to determine whether or not they want to read the entire document. Often, abstracts range in length from 200-500 words.<\/div>\n<div>Executive summaries are intended to be &#8220;mini&#8221; versions of the report, summarizing the entire contents. Readers use executive summaries <em>instead<\/em> of reading the entire report. Typically, executive summaries are approximately 10% of the length of the report, but no more than ten pages.<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Introduces the topic of the report and the report itself. May include statements that explain the problem motivating the report, describe the problem\u2019s background and significance, clarify the scope and limitations of the report, review relevant literature, describe data sources, methods, and key terms, preview the report&#8217;s organization.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Body<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Key elements of body include the background, methodology, results, analysis, and recommendations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Conclusion<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Concise presentation of findings, clearly indicating the main results and their relation to recommended action or outcome.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong>References<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Bibliography or Works Cited<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"18%\"><strong> Appendix<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\">Related supporting materials such as instruments (questionnaires, etc.), data sources, etc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"headings\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3 style=\"margin-bottom: 0;\">Helpful Headings<\/h3>\n<div style=\"padding: 6px 20px 12px 30px; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(239, 249, 250,1) 0%,rgba(239, 249, 250,1) 65%,rgba(239, 249, 250,0) 100%); font-weight: 300; font-size: 92%; letter-spacing: 0.05em;\">material in this section also included in <a href=\"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/hats-design\/\">HATS: Design for Professional\/Technical Documents<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"pg-qte\" style=\"margin-top: 15px;\">\n<p>Headings are standard features of technical documents that serve several important functions:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin-bottom: 0.5em;\">\n<li style=\"padding-bottom: 2px;\">Provide organizational overview of the document<\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-bottom: 2px;\">Show logical development of ideas<\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-bottom: 2px;\">Show hierarchical relationship of ideas (headings, sub-headings)<\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-bottom: 2px;\">Allow the reader to scan and read selectively<\/li>\n<li>Increase readability of the document by providing breaks and white space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pg-qte-cite\"><em>Technical Writing Essentials<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/headings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chapter 3.2<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Clear and specific headings (and other kinds of visual\/written guides) are important for the busy reader who will scan the report to determine its overall argument or findings, or to find specific sections of interest. The report should be written in a way that allows the reader to start reading in any major section and follow the line of thought.<\/p>\n<p>Headings are navigation signposts that guide readers through documents, to parts of documents, and preview forthcoming information. Headings should be adequate in number\/frequency to serve as landmarks of current and forthcoming content. They should be organized hierarchically, using typeface, size, style, and alignment to show different levels of importance, specificity, and relationships.<\/p>\n<div style=\"color: #777; width: 150px; margin: -15PX 10px 0 20px; float: right; background-color: #f4f5fb; border-radius: 7px; box-shadow: 2px 2px 3px #bdbdbd; padding: 6px 15px; font-weight: 300; text-align: center;\">\n<div style=\"font-size: 85%; letter-spacing: 0.2em; font-weight: 400; color: #666; text-shadow: 1px 1px 2px rgba(147, 157, 216, 1);\">COMMON<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 120%; font-weight: 400; padding-bottom: 2px; color: #666; text-shadow: 1px 1px 2px rgba(147, 157, 216, 1);\">Topic \/ Function<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 85%; letter-spacing: 0.2em; font-weight: 400; color: #666; text-shadow: 1px 1px 2px rgba(147, 157, 216, 1);\">HEADINGS<\/div>\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">Abstract<\/div>\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">Introduction<\/div>\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">Background<\/div>\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">Materials<\/div>\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">Methodology<\/div>\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">Results<\/div>\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">Findings<\/div>\n<div style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\">Conclusions<\/div>\n<div>References<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4 id=\"topic-talking\">Topic (Functional) vs. Talking (Explanatory) Headings<\/h4>\n<p>There are two main types of headings: Topic (or Functional) Headings and Talking (or Explanatory) Headings.<\/p>\n<p>Topic (functional) headings use terms that describe the function of sections rather than the content of sections. Topic (functional) headings are often terms like &#8220;Introduction,&#8221; &#8220;Background,&#8221; &#8220;Materials,&#8221; &#8220;Methodology,&#8221; &#8220;Results,&#8221; &#8220;Discussion,&#8221; etc. In general, use function headings <strong>only<\/strong> in documents\u2014such as lab reports\u2014that have consistent structures.<\/p>\n<p>More reports in professional settings <strong>are not<\/strong> &#8220;so strictly organized or predictable. Readers will find it much more helpful if headings concretely describe the <strong>content<\/strong> of each section rather than the <strong>function<\/strong>&#8221; (<em>TWE<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/headings\/\">3.2 &#8220;Headings&#8221;<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>The most effective talking (or explanatory, or content) &#8220;headings use concrete, descriptive language to tell the reader what to expect from the content of each section&#8221; (<em>TWE<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/headings\/\">3.2 &#8220;Headings&#8221;<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em; height: 1px;\"><span id=\"talking-headings\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 150%; opacity: 0;\"><a href=\"#top\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 15px; margin-top: 20px;\">\n<div style=\"margin-left: 15px;\">\n<table class=\"ex1\" style=\"margin: 20px auto 30px; width: 900px;\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" width=\"27%\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 150%; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; text-align: center;\"><span class=\"material-icons\" style=\"opacity: 0.75; color: #b71c1c; vertical-align: top;\">clear<\/span>Topic Headings\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"text-align: center;\">(Generic or Functional)<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\" width=\"73%\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 150%; font-family: 'Roboto Slab'; text-align: center;\"><span class=\"material-icons\" style=\"opacity: 0.75; color: #2e7d32; vertical-align: top;\">done<\/span>Talking Headings\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n(Explanatory)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Intro<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">The Question of Health Care for Part-Time Employees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Background<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Social Media Strategy: Brief History of an Emerging Field<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Qualifications<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">What Sports Journalists Need to Succeed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Methods<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Identification and Selection of Florida Water Samples<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">Conclusions<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">The Palm Beach Parks Project: Steps to Save the Parks and Lose the Litter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 15px;\">\n<h4 id=\"more-headings\">More on Writing &amp; Organizing Headings<\/h4>\n<table class=\"noborder\" style=\"border-collapse: separate; width: 100%;\" cellspacing=\"15\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f6f3fb;\" rowspan=\"2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/typographyforlawyers.com\/hierarchical-headings.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u201cHierarchical Headings\u201d<\/a> from <em>Typography for Lawyers; <\/em>provides a great explanation of why writers should use a tiered number system instead of traditional Roman numerals or numbered\/lettered hierarchies.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f4f5fb;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prismnet.com\/~hcexres\/textbook\/headings.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Headings: Make Your Text Scannable<\/a>, from David McMurray of <em>Online Technical Writing<\/em><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f4faf4;\" rowspan=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/faculty.washington.edu\/farkas\/TC510-Fall2011\/Farkas-ManagingHeadings.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u201cManaging Headings in Print and Online Documents\u201d<\/a> from David K. Farkas from the Department of Technical Communication in the College of Engineering at University of Washington.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f0faff;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.plainlanguage.gov\/howto\/guidelines\/headings.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Headings<\/a>, by Ginny Redish for <em>PlainLanguage.gov<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f0fbfd;\" rowspan=\"2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/designsensory.com\/pws\/lesson6\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u201cLesson 6: Using Parallel Form\u201d<\/a> from<em> Professional Writing Style<\/em> by Dr. Russel Hirst, Associate Professor and Director of the Technical Communication Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f0f9f8;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/wps.pearsoncustom.com\/pls_1256647969_pwo\/217\/55692\/14257344.cw\/content\/index.html%20From%20Pearson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Headings<\/a>, from Pearson<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f1f9fe;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/headings\/\">Headings<\/a> from <em>Technical Writing Essentials<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f8fcf4;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gvsu.edu\/cms3\/assets\/C7078FCF-E2C3-F3DD-7F8E1630561E3F3E\/Headings.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Headings<\/a>, from Grand Valley State University<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3333%; background-color: #f9f2fa;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/idratherbewriting.com\/2013\/08\/23\/subheadings-perhaps-the-most-useful-technique-in-technical-writing\/\">&#8220;Subheadings: The Most Useful Technique in Tech Writing&#8221;<\/a> from Tom Johnson at <em>I&#8217;d Rather be Writing.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"examples\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Examples of Professional Reports<\/h3>\n<p>Some examples of professional reports (please browse a few that interest you):<\/p>\n<ul class=\"exspace\">\n<li>The <a href=\"http:\/\/govinfo.library.unt.edu\/911\/report\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States<\/a> (commonly known as The 9\/11 Commission): a report on the circumstances leading up to the 9\/11 terrorist attacks. The report also includes recommendations intended to prevent future terrorist attacks.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.environment.gov.au\/epbc\/notices\/assessments\/2007\/3385\/pubs\/recommendation-report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Recommendation Report prepared for EPBC Project&#8230;: <\/a> presents the conditions under which the Austrailian Department of the Environment and Water Resources should approve the development of a paper mill in Tasmania.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.drpt.virginia.gov\/media\/1137\/sehsr_recommend_rpt.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Southeast High Speed Rail Study Area Alternatives Recommendation Report, Environmental Impact Statement<\/a>: regarding a proposed high speed rail system in the southeast United States.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/academic.evergreen.edu\/n\/nadkarnn\/walkway\/feas.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evergreen Canopy Walkway Project Feasibility Study<\/a>: discusses the feasibility of developing a canopy-high (tree-top height) walkway on the campus of Evergreen State College.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov\/infocus\/newfreedom\/newfreedom-report-2007.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The President&#8217;s New Freedom Initiative: The 2007 Progress Report<\/a>: on progress made in G. W. Bush&#8217;s &#8220;new freedom initiative&#8221; for Americans with disabilities.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/popeyes.com\/investors\/annual-reports\/2014\/Popeyes_2014AR.PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Popeye&#8217;s Lousiana Chicken, Inc. 2014 Annual Report<\/a>: to investors and shareholders.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/html\/records\/pdf\/govpub\/2737nycrestaurantguide-81606.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York City Restaurant Owner Manual<\/a>: released in 2006 under Mayor Michael Bloomberg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"boring\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Reports: At Risk of Being Boring, Disconnected, &amp; Forgettable<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"exspace\">\n<li>Successful reports provide relevant information in a coherent narrative; they do not simply list information about the subject<\/li>\n<li>Successful reports give the reader a clear picture and a solid understanding of the subject of the document<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"hglt\" href=\"http:\/\/www.writing-skills.com\/make-reports-irresistibly-interesting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Make your reports irresistibly interesting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em;\"><span id=\"awesome\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Case Study in Awesome: Warby Parker<\/h3>\n<div style=\"width: 410px; padding-left: 20px; float: right;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6X6GFHrVsQ4\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Warby Parker&#8217;s 2012 Annual Report went viral.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, it&#8217;s no longer available on the web. You can see some <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jarrettfuller.com\/portfolio\/design\/wpreport12.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">screenshots at Jarrett Fuller&#8217;s website<\/a> (the designer of the report).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/annual-report-2013\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Warby Parker&#8217;s 2013 Annual Report<\/a> carries on their tradition of informative, persuasive, and engaging content. The 2013 report is designed like a calendar, but users can choose to highlight certain types of events such as &#8220;milestones,&#8221; &#8220;do good,&#8221; and &#8220;data,&#8221; by making a selection under the &#8220;lists&#8221; drop down menu.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/annual-report-2014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2014 report<\/a> adds a new level of audience participation. According to <a href=\"http:\/\/laughingsquid.com\/warby-parkers-make-your-own-annual-report-a-generator-that-creates-an-individuals-personalized-year-in-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LaughingSquid<\/a>,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>For the past couple of years, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Warby Parker<\/a>, the wonderfully modern eyewear company, has been publishing <a href=\"http:\/\/laughingsquid.com\/warby-parker-a-year-in-review-interactive-infographic-annual-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">their annual report<\/a> with a <a href=\"http:\/\/laughingsquid.com\/warby-parkers-interactive-2013-annual-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fun, user interactive flair<\/a>. For 2014, the company created a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/annual-report-2014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2014 Make-Your-Own Annual Report<\/a>\u201d generator that builds an individual\u2019s personalized year in review. The report is generated through a short set of somewhat silly questions to determine a person\u2019s Latin motto, top emojis, sleep analysis, spirit animal and more, all for the year 2014. Warby Parker\u2019s own <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/year-in-review-2014#wp-distribution\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2014 annual report<\/a> is linked at the bottom.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Warby Parker is not alone is realizing the value of well-designed, engaging reports: <a href=\"https:\/\/zapier.com\/blog\/online-annual-reports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&#8220;10 Beautifully Designed Company Annual Reports and the Stats Behind Their Virality.&#8221;<\/a> See also, <a class=\"hglt\" href=\"http:\/\/www.trulydeeply.com.au\/madly\/2014\/01\/23\/brave-new-world-best-annual-report-design-agency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">&#8220;The Brave New World of Annual Report Design and how they\u2019re Delivering Business Value.<\/a>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: block; text-align: right; margin: 1em 3em; margin-bottom: 1000px;\"><span id=\"none\" class=\"anchor\"> <\/span><span class=\"arrowtop\" style=\"font-size: 130%; opacity: 0.5;\"><a href=\"#\">\u2305<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"height: 525px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 300px; margin: 2px auto; opacity: 0.3;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"margin: 0px auto;\" src=\"http:\/\/rhetoricandwriting.com\/3213-F15\/cc-fair-use-350px.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"auto\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 300px; margin: 2px auto; font-size: 85%; text-align: justify; line-height: 125%; opacity: 0.5;\">Portions of this course material are adapted from and supplemented with materials licensed under <a href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CC BY-NC-SA 3.0<\/a> and materials available under 1996 Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia courtesy of Andy Schmitz&#8217;s Creative Commons Book Archive.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contents &amp; Navigation highlights preface: report as genre introduction what is a report? types of reports common types &#038; functions informational vs. analytical common components helpful headings topic vs. talking more on headings pro report examples reports risk being boring case study in awesome all research &amp; reports \u232a \u2305 Highlights As a broad genre <a href='https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/professional-reports\/' class='excerpt-more'>[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"no-sidebars.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8976"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8976"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8976\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9450,"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8976\/revisions\/9450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}