CHAPTER 9- GLOSSARY
analytical reports Reports that provides data, analyses, and conclusions;
may also provide recommendations and may intend to
persuade readers to act or to change their beliefs
business report Systematic attempt to convey information, answer
questions, and solve problems
credible Capable of being believed
digital format Format that allows writers to produce and distribute
reports in electronic form; used when reports will be
projected or viewed electronically, edited digitally, or
uploaded to the Web or a company intranet
direct strategy An organizational strategy in which the purpose for
writing is placed close to the beginning
executive summary Summarizes a long report, proposal, or business plan,
concentrating on what management needs to know from a
longer report
feasibility reports Reports that help a company decide whether to proceed
with a plan of action
formal writing style A style used when writing to clients or other important
audiences about controversial or complex topics; uses
third-person, passive-voice verbs, complex sentences, and
long words
functional headings Headings (such as "Introduction," "Discussion of
Findings", and "Conclusion") that describe functions or
general topics help the writer outline a report
indirect strategy An organizational strategy in which the conclusions and
recommendations, if recommended, appear at the end of
the report
informal writing style A style used when writing to familiar audiences about
noncontroversial topics; uses first-person pronouns,
contractions, active-voice verbs, shorter sentences, and
familiar words
informational reports Reports that collect and organize information without
analysis or recommendations; also called "investigative
reports"
investigative reports Reports that collect and organize information; also called
"information reports"
justification/recommendation Solicited reports that attempt to solve problems by
reports evaluating options and offering recommendations
letter format An appropriate format for short (usually eight or fewer
pages) informal addressed outside an organization;
prepared on a company's letterhead stationery
manuscript format An appropriate format for longer, more formal reports
memo format An appropriate format for short, informal reports that stay
within organizations
minutes A record of the proceedings of a meeting
objective Writing that is undistorted by emotion or personal bias
preprinted forms A report format used for repetitive data, such as monthly
sales reports, performance appraisals, merchandise
inventories, and personnel and financial reports
primary data Data that result from firsthand experience and
observation
progress reports Reports that monitor the headway of unusual or
nonroutine activities
report headings Used to outline the text of a report, highlight major ideas
and categories, act as guides for locating facts and
pointing the way through the text, and break up large
chunks of text into manageable and inviting segments
secondary data Data that come from what others have experienced or
observed and written down
statement of purpose A statement that defines your purpose for writing a report
summaries Reports that condense the primary ideas, conclusions, and
recommendations of longer reports or publications
talking headings Headings (such as "Employees Strongly Support
Amendment" or "Long-Term Parking Plan") that describe
content and provide information to the reader
trip reports Reports in which business travelers identify the event
they attended or the company they visited