This document provides an overview of business reports, including their definition, classification, and typical structure. It discusses the key parts of long formal reports, such as prefatory parts like the cover, title page, and table of contents. It also discusses supplemental parts like the appendix and bibliography. The document outlines different ways to classify reports based on their function, subject matter, formality, origin, and frequency. Finally, it provides guidance on outlining the report, using visual aids like headings and graphics, and properly referencing sources.

1. Business
Report

2. 2
Meaning and Classification of Business Reports
 Business Reports Definition.
Business Report is an impartial, objective, planned presentation of
facts to one or more persons for specific, significant business
purpose.
The report facts could relate to events, progress, product problems, or
suggested solutions.

3. 3
Business Reports
 Types long vs. short report
 Organization deductive vs. Inductive plan
 Presentation hard vs. Soft form

4. 4
Long Formal Report
The length of a long report is not less than 10 pages, and the report usually
includes the following parts “some of the parts optional”
 Prefatory Parts:
Cover; title fly; title page; letters of authorization / transmittal;
acknowledgements; table of contents; table of tables/figures
(abstract, synopsis, executive summary);.
 Report Body:
Introduction, Text or body, Terminal section (summary, conclusion)
 Supplemental Parts:
Appendix/attachments, bibliography or endnotes, glossary, index (key terms).

5. 5
Business Reports Classification
.
 Function: informational (periodic, progress) or analytical.
 Subject matter: accounting, advertising, finance, marketing…etc.
 Formality: formal or informal, the formal is long and the informal
is short report.
Formal reports always include some of or all these prefatory and
supplemental parts:
– prefatory parts:
cover; title fly; title page; letters of authorization/acceptance/
transmittal; acknowledgements; table of contents; table of tables
(abstract, synopsis, or executive summary).

6. 6
– Supplemental parts:
appendix, bibliography or endnotes, glossary, index.
some informal reports may include ,in addition to the body, a title page,
transmittal, endnotes, and appendix.
 Origin: authorized or voluntary, private or public.
 Frequency of issue: periodic or special (on demand).
 Type or Appearance: influenced by length and formality.
informal and short reports: memorandum, letter.

7. 7
Preparation before Writing Reports
 Define the Problem, Purpose, and Scope
 Consider Who will Receive the Report
 Determine Ideas to Include
 Collect Needed Material
Secondary/ Primary
 Sort, Analyze, and Interpret Data
 Organize Data and Prepare Final Outline

8. 8
Main Parts of the Research Report
I. Introduction:
– Authorization,
– abstract
– Problem statement*,
– Research questions and hypothesis
– scope
– Methodology for data collection and analysis*,
– Brief Statement of the Results or Recommendation.
– References/ bibliography

9. 9
Organization and Outline of Report Body
when you choose the organizational plan for the entire report body and text section,
you should consider the reader, purpose, and subject matter.
● Plans for Organizing Report Body:
Two ways to organizing a report body: deductive and inductive arrangement.
• Deductive Arrangement “ direct” is common way in organizing business reports.
The three sections may be arranged in one of these two ways:
Terminal section I
Introduction
Text (discussion & explanation)

10. 10
1. Inductive Arrangement “indirect”.
The three sections are arranged as the following:
Introduction
Text (discussion & explanation)
Terminal section

11. 11
Formats of Outline:
After choosing your organizational plan and the wording of your main
headings, you next choose a way to show levels “degrees) for various items
in your outline.
For long report, three ways to number heading degrees.
● Numeral-Letter Combination: it is used in business.
● Decimal System: it is used in scientific and technical reports.
● Letter- Numeral Combination: it is used by those who prefer letters before
main heading and they do not need the
additional degree that is possible with
Roman numerals.

12. 12
● Degree of Heading Numeral-Letter Combination:
1st I.
Introduction 2d A.
2d B.
2d C.
1st II.
2d A.
Text/ 3d 1.
Discussion 3d 2.
2d B.
3d 1.
3d 2.
4th a.
4th b.
5th (1)
5th (2)

13. 13
1st III.
2d A.
Text/ 3d 1.
Discussion 3d 2.
2d B.
3d 1.
3d 2.
1st IV.
2d A.
3dh 1.
3d 2.
2d B.
3d 1.
3d 2.
Terminal 1st
2d

14. 14
Visual Aids
• To improve both readability and appearance of a report, you should use
heading and when desirable also graphic materials.
Heading and Subheading as Directional Signs:
The headings you have selected for your final outline will be directional signs
for the reader of the finished report. Headings help direct the reader through
the entire presentation.
System of styling the headings:
FIRST-DEGREE HEADINGS
(Centred and in all capitals-caps)
Second- Degree Headings
( left align, caps and lowercase, underlined)
Third-Degree Headings
(left margin, caps and lowercase, underlined)

15. 15
Fourth-degree headings. -- (Indented, underlined, lowercase; paragraph
begins on same line).
Fifth-degree headings (Indented, underlined; sentence begins with
the heading).

16. 16
Sample Graphics for Quantitative and Other
Data
 Tables
 Bar Graphs
 Pie Charts
 Line Graphs etc.

17. 17
How to Make References
1. Author Name (Year) Title, PP. (2-5).

18. Thanks