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Professional Writing

Reports

Reports are documents to record and convey information to a reader. They are a part of any business or organization. Reports come in all sizes but range from longer than a page to shorter than a book. Report length will depend on its function and overall purpose.

Reports can be categorized into two types:

  • Information: Reports that instruct, present details of events, activities, or individuals and just present the “facts” i.e. police report.
  • Analytical: Reports that present information with analysis to solve problems, demonstrate relationships, or make recommendations. i.e. Center for Disease Control physician field report from the site of a H1N1 viral outbreak

How to Write an Information Report

How to Write an Analytical Report

Common Report Types

Here are a list of the types of informational and analytical reports you might have write or read:

Report Type Function

Laboratory Report

Communicate the procedures and results of laboratory activities.

Research Report

Study problems scientifically by developing hypotheses, collecting data, analyzing data, and indicating findings or conclusions.

Field Study Report

Describe one-time events, such as trips, conferences, seminars, as well as reports from branch offices, industrial and manufacturing plants.

Progress Report

Monitor and control production, sales, shipping, service, or related business process.

Technical Report

Communication process and product from a technical perspective.

Financial Report

Communication status and trends from a finance perspective.

Case Study

Represent, analyze, and present lessons learned from a specific case or example.

Needs Assessment Report

Assess the need for a service or product.

Comparative Advantage Report

Discuss competing products or services with an analysis of relative advantages and disadvantage.

Feasibility Study

Analyze problems and predict whether current solutions or alternatives will be practical, advisable, or produced the desired outcome(s).

Instruction Manuals

Communicate step-by-step instructions on the use of a product or service.

Compliance Report

Document and indicate the extent to which a product or service is within established compliance parameters or standards.

Cost-Benefit Analysis Report

Communicate costs and benefits of products or services.

Decision Report

Make recommendations to management and become tools to solve problems and make decisions.

Benchmark Report

Establish criteria and evaluate alternatives by measuring against the establish benchmark criteria.

Examination Report

Report or record data obtained from an examination of an item or conditions, including accidents and natural disasters.

Physical Description Report

Describe the physical characteristics of a machine, a device, or object.

Literature Review

Present summaries of the information available on a given subject.

 

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