When writing an informal report there are two main things that you must do before you even starts to jot words down. First you need to consider your audience, and second you need to collect information. When considering your audience this will let you know how much background information you will need to include in the report. You also will be able to know whether or not to use specialized language as many companies have their own technical languages and terms when talking to each other, and if the report is being read by someone outside the company you will need to adjust your language. Collecting information is vital to being able to portray your objective for writing to the reader. Taking notes is one easy way to collect information on the matter you are writing about. The different types of informal reports are trouble reports, investigative reports, progress and periodic reports, trip reports, and test reports. No matter what type of informal report you are writing the format is the same. There is an introduction, in which you announce the subject and tell the purpose, then the body which presents the body and includes all necessary details, and then the conclusion which is the summary paragraph and also can make recommendations.
Citation:Oliu, Walter E., Charles T. Brusaw, and Gerald J. Alred. Writing that Works Communicating Effectively on the Job. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2006
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Yes, considering your audience is a vital first step. How about considering your purpose before collecting information. If you don't know the purpose of your report, the collecting of information will be hard, right?
ReplyDeleteGeoff,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a well on demonstrating what is takes to create an informal report. I think you could have elaborated more on the subject but i really liked how you gave examples of the kinds of informal reports there are and whether or not to use specialized language.
There are many good points. I think the best one is to what technical language that you may use inside the company which people whom are not involved may not understand.
ReplyDeleteBe sure and create white space for your reader through the use of bullets, headings, or paragraph breaks. I also need to see more visuals in your posts...a graphic or an embedded video would have attracted the attention of your reader.
ReplyDelete