3. • That a quality presentation of research findings can
have an inordinate effect on a reader’s or a listener’s
perceptions of a study’s quality.
• The contents, types, lengths, and technical
specifications of research reports.
• That the writer of a research report should be guided
by questions of purpose, readership, circumstances/
limitations, and use.
• That while some statistical data may be incorporated
into the text, most statistics should be placed in tables,
charts, or graphs
Learning
Objective
s
4. Guidelines
for Short
Reports
Tell reader why you are writing
Remind reader of request
Write in an expository style
Write report and hold for review
Attach detailed materials in appendix
5. Components: Short
Report
Memo or Letter-Style
Introduction
Problem statement
Research objectives
Background
Conclusions
Summary and conclusions
Recommendations
6. • Prefatory Information (all)
• Introduction
(all, plus brief methodology
and limitations)
• Findings
• Conclusions
• Appendices
Components:
Short Report
Technical
11. Prewriting
Concerns
What is the report’s purpose
Who will read the report
What are the circumstances
How will the report be used?
12. The Outline
Major Topic Heading
A. Major subtopic heading
1. Subtopic
a. Minor subtopic
1) Further detail
13. Types of Outlines
Topic
Demand
A. How measured
1. Voluntary error
2. Shipping error
a. Monthly
variance
Sentence
Demand for refrigerators
A. Measured in terms f
factory shipments as
reported by the U.S.
Department of
Commerce
1. Error is introduced
into year to year
comparisons
14. Adjusting Pace
Use ample white space
Use headings
Use visual aids
Use italics and underlining
Choose words carefully
Repeat and summarize
Use service words strategically
23. Text Presentation
Wal-mart regained its number-1 rank in the Forbes 500 due
to its strong sales performance (11% increase; $351.1
billion). Although Wal-mart surpassed number-2-ranked
ExxonMobil in sales, Wal-mart’s profitability ($11.2 billion)
was far below the oil giant ($39.5 billion).
Some credit several challenging public relations problems
with the lower-than-expected level. Number-6-ranked
General Electric also outperformed Walmart in profits with
$20.8 billion. GE’s robust sales growth (27.4%) is an
indication that it will likely challenge both Walmart and
ExxonMobil in the future.
24. AlternativeText Presentation
• Oil giant and energy exploration leader ExxonMobil is the most
profitable company in the Fortune 500 due to record crude oil
prices increasing its profits to $39.5 billion, compared to $11.2
billion for Wal-mart.
• ExxonMobil’s profits jumped 9% on a 2% increase in sales, while
Wal-mart’s profits increased a mere 0.5% on an 11% increase in
sales.
• General Electric provided a 27.4% increase in profits on a 7.1%
increase in sales, and outperformed Wal-mart on profits ($20.8
billion to $11.2 billion).
• Although Wal-Mart regained the top spot in the Fortune 500, its
performance shows signs of weakness in profitability.
26. Tabular Presentation
Company Rank
Revenue
($, millions)
Sales
Growth Profits
Profit
Growth
Wal-Mart 1 $351,139.0 11.2% $11,284.0 0.5%
Exxon
Mobil
2 $347,254.0 02.2% $39,500.0 9.3%
General
Electric
6 $168,307.0 07.1% $20,829.0 27.4%
Wal-mart regained its number one rank in 2007 by increasing its sales 11 percent over its
prior year’s sales. But it still trails in profitability.