how to write a proper business report

1. Writing a Business
Report
Guidelines

2. Main Aspects
•Formal Style
•Proper Organization
•Logical Order

3. Layout
• Title
• Introduction
• Main Body (Background and
Findings)
• Conclusion
• Recommendations

4. Formal Reports
• Should normally contain:
a. Sections and Subsections
b. Headings and Subheadings
c. Intended Information

5. • A Business Report could be:
– A Record Report (describing the status of a
company or a division of the company at a particular
point in time)
– A Porgress Report (facts, developments occurred
over a period of time)
– A Statistical Report (numerical data – usually
presented with charts, tables and graphs)
– An Investigative Report (based on a study or
investigation of a particular situation or issue)
– A Recommendation Report (an investigative report
taken one step further, providing specific
recommendations based on the information provided)

6. • Some useful language:
• To begin reports:
– The purpose / aim / intention of this report is to …
– As requested, this is a report concerning /
regarding …
– This report contains / outlines / assesses …
• To end up reports:
• To conclude / To sum up / In conclusion / On the
whole, …
• On the basis of the points mentioned above, it would
seem that …
• It is (therefore) believed / felt / apparent / obvious
(that) …
• I / We conclude that … / recommend / would suggest
(that) … (should) …
• My / Our recommendation is that … (should) …

7. • Some useful language:
• To begin reports:
– The purpose / aim / intention of this report is to …
– As requested, this is a report concerning /
regarding …
– This report contains / outlines / assesses …
• To end up reports:
• To conclude / To sum up / In conclusion / On the
whole, …
• On the basis of the points mentioned above, it would
seem that …
• It is (therefore) believed / felt / apparent / obvious
(that) …
• I / We conclude that … / recommend / would suggest
(that) … (should) …
• My / Our recommendation is that … (should) …