THE FORMAL REPORT

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THE FORMAL REPORT
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Definition and Purpose

• Definition reports formatted in a professional
  way to emphasize its importance or
  recommendations or research results.
• formal presentation is key

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Traditional Organization

• Traditional is chronological title page, table
  of contents, list of illustrations, summary or
  abstract, introduction, discussion (body),
  conclusion, recommendations, appendices,
  references

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Front Matter

• Letter of transmittal, title page, table of
  contents, list of illustrations, summary or
  abstract all material preceding introduction
• Lower case Roman numerals used for page numbers
  (iii)
• Place page number at either bottom of page,
  center or right

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Title Page

• Title should be clear and accurate reflection of
  report topic.
• Below the title, place identifying information
  authors name and job title, audiences name, date

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Title Page Example

• PROPOSAL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SPOUSAL
  EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
• By Henrietta Hasselblad,
• Director of Human Resources
• Prepared for Dr. Nelson,
• Vice-President of Administrative Affairs

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Table of Contents (TOC)

• Lists report sections and their page numbers
• Shows report organization
• Includes all major headings from report, headings
  appearing in same format as in the report
• List no more than three levels of headings
• List only starting page number do not use page
  or p
• Connect heading to page number with row of dots
  (leaders)

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TOC Example

• Summary...iii
• Introduction.1
• Conclusion...2
• Recommendation..........3
• Discussion..............4
• Nature of the Problem.5
• Description of the Program.6
• Costs vs. Benefits..7
• Implementation...........8
• References9
• AppendicesA
• i

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List of Illustrations

• List both tables and figures, figures first. If
  have only one type, change name to list of tables
  or list of figures
• Use same label from the graphic figure/table .
  Title or caption
• Place on page following TOC.

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List of Illustrations Example

• Figure 1. Implementation Schedule.8
• Table 1. Program Features....5
• Table 2. Cost/Benefit Analysis....7
• ii

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Outline of Main Report (Informative) Sections

• Introduction
• A. Definition, Description, Background
• B. Audience/Purpose
• C. Method of Inquiry
• D. Working definitions (1-4)
• E. Scope

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Outline of Main Report Sections

• II. Collected Data
• A. First main point (ex. History of problem)
• B. Findings and Interpretation
• C. Second main point, etc.
• III. Conclusion
• A. Overall interpretation of findings
• B. Recommendations

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Back Matter

• Glossary (optional)
• Alphabetical list and definitions of technical
  terms (five or more) used in the report
• References
• Alphabetical list of source material, both print
  and electronic.
• Documentation style American Psychological
  Association (APA)
• Appendices
• Material that is useful to the audience but not
  important enough to be in the main report
• Additional graphics, testimonials, questionnaires