To: Nancy Myers

From: Ryan Collins

Date: Mat 12th, 2022
Subject: APLED 121-Chapter 17 Summary

CHAPTER 17
Short, Informal Reports

Report Definition-Reports come in various length and levels of formality. Depending on the audience
you’re writing for determines many factors about the report. Reports will always salsify certain needs
and will contain one of the following
o Supply a record of work accomplished
o Record and clarify complex information for future reference
o Present information to many people with different skill levels
o Record problems occurred
o Document schedules, timelines, and milestones
o Record future information
o Document status
o Record procedures
Online Reports-Online reports improved upon speed and convince and decreased the need for a filing
system. Online apps greatly increase ease and efficiency for a variety or reports including,
o Travel and expense reports
o Sales reports
o Police reports
Types of Reports-Reports often fall into the following categories:
o Incident reports
o Investigative repots
o Trip reports
o Progress or status reports
o Lab or test reports
o Feasibility/recommendation reports
o Research reports
o Proposals
Criteria for Writing Reports-Campines have unique demands and requirements. These include the
basics to writing a report such as,
o Format
o Development
o Audience
o Style
 Organization-Short reports should include 5 basic traits:
 o Identification lines-These identify the who, what, and where of the report. Consist of the
date the report is written, names of the writers of the report, and finally to whom the
report is written.
o Headings and talking headings-Headings include words or phrases such as
“Introduction,” “Discussion,” and “Background Information.” Talking headings include a
more descript description. Examples of this include, “Human Resource Committee
Reviews 2016 Benefits Packages.”
o Introduction-Includes an overview of the report. They usually include 3 or more
subdivisions. These subdivisions include items such as, purpose, personal, and finally
dates.
o Discussion-Summarize topics such as, activities, problems encountered, cost of
equipment, etc.
o Conclusion/recommendations-Conclusion includes a summary of what was learned,
state decisions made. The recommendations section includes suggestions for future
action. Not all reports require recommendations.
 Development-To develop ideas, answer reporters’ questions. Basic reports questions include
the fallowing,
o Who-Did you meet or contact, who was involved, who was on the technical team.
o What-What were the steps in the procedure, what are future recommendations.
o When-Did the document actives occur.
o Where-Where did they take place.
o Why-Why is the report being written, who was included with what activity.
 Audience-Can consist of high and low-tech readers. They can even include multiple readers.
Knowing who you’re writing for is crucial to doing it properly.
 Style-This includes skills like conciseness and highlighting techniques.
Incident Reports-Its document that reports an unexpected problem that has occurred. Can include
issues from equipment malfunction to injury.
 Purpose and examples-When problems occur that require analysis, a written incident report
may be required. An example of this can be seen in retail. When a burglary occurs that could
have been avoided, an incident report can be filled to bring awareness to this gap in security.
 Criteria-Incident reports are comprised of 3 distinct sections, those being the introduction,
discussion (body) conclusion/recommendations.
Investigative Reports-Ask you to examine the cause behind the incident.
 Purpose and Examples-It focuses more on why the event happened and the causes leading to
the climax. This are used in a verity of situations. One situation that will use this report is when a
bridge gets damaged. A report that states damaged inflicted, and a report on the possible
causes.
 Criteria-These reports consist of the same basic sections, those being an introduction, discussion
(body), and finally the conclusion/recommendations.
Trip Reports-Allows for reporting of job-related travel.
 Purpose and Examples-Used to keep track of information such as travel expenses, and time
spent off-site. These are useful in situations where an employee is sent to another aera for work
and needs reimbursed for time, food and fuel usage.
  Criteria- These reports consist of the same basic sections, those being an introduction,
discussion (body), and finally the conclusion/recommendations.
Progress Reports-Lets users document the status of activity and explains what hark has been done and
work that needs to be done.
 Purpose and Examples-Allows supervisors to track progress of workers and keep tabs on the
status of projects. Examples where is can be used is in project management. Allows the owners
to predict when certain milestones and complete. This allows for more informed ETAs.
 Criteria-These reports consist of the same basic sections, those being an introduction, discussion
(body), and finally the conclusion/recommendations.
Lab Reports-Tracks the status and findings from an experiment, procedure, or study.
 Purpose and Examples-Allows for activity to be easily commutated to colleagues and
supervisors. An example where is might be used can be seen with issues such as widespread
mechanical failure. Detailed reports allow for colleagues to share their findings and get to the
root of the issue.
 Criteria- Incident reports are comprised of 3 distinct sections, those being the introduction,
discussion (body) conclusion/recommendations.
Feasibility/Recommendation Reports-This achieves two goals, first it studies the practicality of a
proposed plan and recommends action.
 Purpose and Examples-Used to determine if a plan is feasibly or not. This is used in fields such
as manufacturing, when a company is looking in investing in new tooling these reports are used
to see if it makes sense to go through with the purchase.
 Criteria-Have 3 distinct sections. These include the introduction, discussion (body)
conclusion/recommendations.
The Writing Process at Work
 Prewriting-Brainstorming
 Writing-Write your paper
 Rewriting-Proof read and edit