Formal Business Report

Prefatory parts (see page 411)

______ Use the company’s standard report covers, if available.

______ Include a concise, descriptive title on the cover.

______ Include a title fly if only you want an extra-formal touch.

______ On the title page, list (1) report title; (2) name, title, and address of the group or person

who authorized the report; (3) name, title, and address of the group or person who

prepared the report; and (4) date of submission.

______ Include a copy of the letter of authorization, if appropriate.

______ If responding to an RFP, follow the instructions for including a copy or referring to the

RFP by name or tracking number.

______ Include a letter of transmittal that introduces the report.

______ Provide a table of contents in outline form with headings worded exactly as they appear

in the body of the report.

______ Include a list of illustrations if the report contains a large number of them.

______ Include a synopsis (brief summary of the report) or an executive summary (a condensed,

“mini” version of the report) for longer reports.

Text of the report

______ Draft an introduction that prepares the reader for the content that follows.

______ Provide information that supports your conclusions, recommendations, or proposals, or

proposals in the body of the report.

______ Don’t overload the body with unnecessary details.

______ Close with a summary of your main idea.

Supplementary parts

______ Use appendixes to provide supplementary information or supporting evidence.

______ List in a bibliography any secondary sources you used.

______ Provide and index if your report contains a large number of terms or ideas and is likely

to be consulted over time.