The document discusses the structure and organization of short reports. It recommends that short reports include sections for the title, executive summary, introduction, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations. The introduction section should state what the report is about, why it was written, what the author did, and the main findings. The discussion section analyzes each main point with explanations and data. The conclusion restates the key points, and the recommendations suggest relevant actions. An example short report is also provided on investigating introducing a company's ice cream products into the Japanese market.

1. 101
Business Writing

2. Short reports
Introduction
Reports
• Record objective facts of past
happening

3. Short reports
Introduction
Reports
• Record objective facts of past
happening
• Aim to provide information for
decision and action

4. TITLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (optional)
INTRODUCTION
• What the report is about
• Why the report is
• What the reporter did
• What main findings are
DISCUSSION
• Discuss each main point: explanation, data, etc.
CONCLUSION
• Restate main points
RECOMMENDATION
• Relevant actions
Short reports
Organization

5. TITLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (optional)
INTRODUCTION
• What the report is about
• Why the report is
• What the reporter did
• What main findings are
DISCUSSION
• Discuss each main point: explanation, data, etc.
CONCLUSION
• Restate main points
RECOMMENDATION
• Relevant actions
Short reports
Organization

6. TITLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (optional)
INTRODUCTION
• What the report is about
• Why the report is
• What the reporter did
• What main findings are
DISCUSSION
• Discuss each main point: explanation, data, etc.
CONCLUSION
• Restate main points
RECOMMENDATION
• Relevant actions
Short reports
Organization

7. TITLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (optional)
INTRODUCTION
• What the report is about
• Why the report is
• What the reporter did
• What main findings are
DISCUSSION
• Discuss each main point: explanation, data, etc.
CONCLUSION
• Restate main points
RECOMMENDATION
• Relevant actions
Short reports
Organization

8. TITLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (optional)
INTRODUCTION
• What the report is about
• Why the report is
• What the reporter did
• What main findings are
DISCUSSION
• Discuss each main point: explanation, data, etc.
CONCLUSION
• Restate main points
RECOMMENDATION
• Relevant actions
Short reports
Organization

9. Short reports
Example
Introduction
Early this month, I visited Japan to
investigate the possibility of
introducing our products there.
Although Larsen is a leading ice
cream producer in the US, it is not
well known in Japan.

10. Short reports
Example
The market
The ice cream market in Japan is
very competitive, and is now open
to foreign companies. Sales of
regular and high-quality products
have risen steadily in recent years
(see attached sales figures). I visited
wholesalers, retailers, and sales
reps in Tokyo and discovered that
Japanese consumers pay attention
to:

11. Short reports
Example
The market
• flavors: lighter flavors are popular
• image: effective advertising and
attractive packaging are essential
• etiquette: Japanese consumers
prefer to eat ice cream at the point
of purchase; eating in the street is
generally not acceptable, although
this is changing.

12. Short reports
Example
Conclusion
Based on my research, I suggest
that we first introduce a limited range
of US-made lines in retail stores. We
should immediately investigate the
possibility of production in Japan,
and I recommend that we offer a
number of ice cream café franchises
in Tokyo as soon as possible.

13. Short reports
Language _Style
An effective report should
• have clear purpose, scope,
readers
• be short, simple and accurate
• be well-organized into
sections
• use bullet points
• have formal style

14. Thank you!
End of tutorial