Running Head: REPORT ANALYSIS i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i 1
Elements of longer messages – Report Analysis
University of Phoenix
February 6,2022
REPORT ANALYSIS i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i 2
Identification of the report type
The report that has been selected here belongs to the Apple Inc. organization. The
report primarily focuses on the financial results of the business entity for the fourth quarter of
2018. Thus, it is an informational report that offers financial data, information and other
concrete facts of the business undertaking. Since the report is financial in nature, it is very
different from other primary reports. i
Thill and Bovee have highlighted in their book that reports are the written accounts
that help to objectively communicate information about some aspect of a business concern. In
fact, they act as one of the most vital communication tools that simplify the communication
and information sharing process in the dynamic business context (Bovée, Thill & Raina, 2016,
p 444).
In the business arena, organizations use different kinds of reports to share information.
The analytical reports are the ones that shed light on information as well as analytical
components. These reports could also include recommendations and suggestions for the
intended target audience. Informational reports basically give an insight into data, facts,
figures, feedback and other kinds of information. They do not have any kind of analysis or
recommendation. Proposals are a special category of reports that “combine information
delivery and persuasive communication.” In the prevalent business setting, proposals are
commonly used as a medium of communication (Bovée, Thill & Raina, 2016, p 444). Other
kinds of reports also might be prepared by an organization. But it would be prepared at the
request of the manager or customers. In spite of the difference in the types of reports that are
used in the business context, the objective is uniform. All the reports that are prepared in the
business setting ultimately help in the communication and information sharing process.
The financial report of Apple Inc. Company is different from other reports for various
reasons. For instance, the length of the report is short as it contains only crisp and clear
REPORT ANALYSIS i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i 3
information relating to the financial performance of the business undertaking. The key
elements that are integrated into the report shed light on its financial performance in the fourth
quarter of the year 2018. The pieces of information that have been captured in the report are
totally informational in nature. In order to simplify the overall understanding of the readers
and audience, any kind of complexity has been avoided in terms of language and tone. The
report has been presented in a simple and straightforward manner so that the factual
information will capture the attention of the readers (Bovée, Thill & Raina, 2016, p 444).
Evidence of the three-step writing process is evident in the report
The writing process can be divided into three steps which include pre-writing,
composing and post-writing. According to Thill and Bovee, these elements are some of the
core essentials when it comes to communication in the business backdrop (Bovée, Thill &
Raina, 2016).
The pre-writing stage invokes planning that is to be written and gathering revenant
information to start the writing process. The composing stage involves preparing drafts and
ensuring that there is an interconnection between the elements. The post-writing stage of the
writing process basically involves revising, editing and proofreading the work. It thus helps to
identify any mistakes or errors in written communication.
In the financial report of the organization, the application of the three-step writing
process is evident. The financial results of the business undertaking for the fourth quarter have
been presented in a systematic manner. The figures have been presented after assessing the
financial performance of the undertaking. The message has been drafted in a logical sequence.
For example, at the end of the report, the main reasons for the revenue growth have been
highlighted. There is evidence of a thorough post-writing process. As there are no
grammatical errors or spelling mistakes, proper proofreading and revision of the report have
been done.
REPORT ANALYSIS i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i 4
The report of the organization contains clear and crisp information that is of value to
the intended audience. The proper flow of information shows that a methodical writing
process has been implemented while working on the financial report of the organization. Thill
and Bovee have highlighted in their book that a report needs to be accurate, balanced,
complete, clear and logical in nature (Bovée, Thill & Raina, 2016, p 482). The selected report
of the Apple Inc. organization presents a logical, accurate and clear insight into the financial
performance of the business undertaking for a specific period. Thus it helps the readers to
comprehend its overall context in a simple and understandable manner.
In the business setting, communication plays an integral role as it ensures that
information and message can freely flow between the necessary parties. Reports that are used
by business undertakings might vary to a certain extent on the basis of the language that is
used, the report length and the level of complexity. Irrespective of these differences, there is
the need to follow the three-step writing process so that the communication will be effective
and impactful. i
REPORT ANALYSIS i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i 5
References
Bovée, C. L., Thill, J. V., & Raina, R. L. (2016). Business communication today. Pearson
Education India.
