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Professional Communication Prof. Barnes Fanshawe College Language and Liberal Studies

Analytical Report Writing: Common Sections and Headings Analytical reports are written and organized differently for specific situations. There are, however, important elements that should be included in all reports. Below is a list of important sections (and possible headings) and their respective goals. PURPOSE/INTRODUCTION In this section,

 reference the request for the report to remind the receiver of its commission

 briefly describe the situation/problem for important context

 outline your report’s main purpose (recommendations, progress update, etc.) PROBLEM/BACKGROUND In this section,

 describe in detail the situation/problem without providing analysis or commentary (this will come later)

 explain the importance of analyzing the situation or solving the problem so readers understand why they are reading the report and why it was commissioned in the first place

 explain the stakes involved so they recognize how it impacts their and/or their organization’s interests

SCOPE/METHODOLOGY In this section,

 outline the scope of your analysis of the situation/problem (clearly limit your focus by explaining what is within the bounds of your analysis)

 provide a discussion of your methods (the steps you have taken) to address the situation or find solutions to the problem (Primary research? Secondary Research? Established criteria for a yardstick? Etc.) without providing solutions yet (these will come later in your recommendations)

ANALYSIS/FINDINGS In this section,

 explain for readers what you found in your analysis of the situation (relay the data)

 explain how your findings apply to the situation/problem (apply the data)

 synthesize for your readers your findings by explaining how the sources relate to one another (is there a consensus? Are there differences? Etc.)

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS In this section,

 provide specific recommendations based on your own critical appraisal of the information you’ve provided in the last section

 justify each recommendation by explaining how it will help or benefit